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Speech, Language and Communication needs


What are speech, language and communication needs?

Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) is the term used to describe difficulties with:

  • producing speech sounds accurately
  • stammering
  • voice problems, such as hoarseness and loss of voice
  • understanding language (making sense of what people say)
  • using language (words and sentences)
  • interacting with others, for example, difficulties understanding the non-verbal rules of good communication or using language in different ways to question, clarify or describe things.

Everyone with SLCN is different and may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or communication at different times of their lives.

Some difficulties are short-term but others will be more permanent and remain throughout childhood and adult life. Find out more about the common features of SLCN.

Sometimes a child or young person’s language disorder is associated with an underlying or co-concurring condition such as autism, hearing loss, cleft palate, neurodegenerative conditions and genetic conditions – for example, cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome.

However, there are times when there may be no clearly identifiable cause. This is known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

The Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder campaign has created a video to explain more about what DLD is

This video from the University of Oxford explains how the term DLD was agreed upon and why it was so important.

The NAPLIC website has brought together a collection of articles all DLD related some of which you might find helpful.

10% of children and young people have long term speech, language and communication needs that impact on life chances and positive outcomes.


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