In a world where everybody speaks, imagine if you could not? Well, that’s the challenge that confronts over 1.1 million Australians every single day! The challenge that Speech Pathology Australia is highlighting during Speech Pathology Week 2014 (August 24 – 30).
Communication disorders limit a person’s ability to participate fully in family life, their community,
education and profession. The negative impacts of communication disorders are well documented and include a higher risk of literacy problems, lower academic achievement, low self esteem and mental health problems.
DID YOU KNOW?
- 12% of children in Australian primary schools have a communication disorder – that’s at least thirty 30 children in an average school (of 250 students) and three children in an average class.
- 14% of 15 year olds have only basic literacy skills – that’s almost four students in each Year 10 classroom who can’t access their education
- Children with a language impairment are six times more likely to have a reading
problem than children without - 46% of young Australian offenders may have a language impairment
To find out more and get involved in Speech Pathology Week activities, visit:
www.communication2014.com AND www.nationforcommunication.org