The event is being run in partnership with Afasic (the national organisation which provides advice and support for children with these needs and their families), to tie in with the Communication Trust’s national Hello Campaign. It will feature activities for children and young people, thirty workshops and seminars for parents and professionals and an exhibition, with over 70 stands.
Stephen Jones, Speech & Language Therapy Manager, said:
“In the 21st century the ability to communicate, to say what you want to say and to understand what other people are saying, is fundamental. Speech, language and communication under pins everything we do in life. Babbling babies do not become talkative toddlers by chance. Communication is a skill that we learn and develop and is something we can all improve.
“Yet in the UK today over 1 million children and young people have some form of speech, language and communication need - that’s two or three children in every classroom, and they are just the ones we know about.”
Difficulties with communicating can affect children and young people severely and for life. In areas of poverty, over 50% of children start school with delayed language skills. This puts them at a huge disadvantage to their peers as they struggle to learn and make friends and, in later life, build successful relationships both socially and in the workplace.
The event at Glyndwr will showcase the wide range of support and help that is available and the way that modern techniques can help overcome a wide range of speech and communication difficulties.
ENDS
Note to editors
During 2011 The Communication Trust, a coalition of over 35 leading voluntary sector organisations with expertise in speech, language and communication, is running the Hello Campaign to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills.
The campaign coincides with the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists’ Giving Voice Campaign, promoting the work of the Speech & Language Therapy Profession.
The full programme and booking details can be found at www.afasiccymru.org.uk/news.htm#counts