One child in every classroom struggles to express themselves or to form friendships because of a specific language impairment (SLI).
A group of leading academics has this week launched RALLI – Raising Awareness of Language Impairment – a video-led campaign to raise awareness of SLI and its impact on learning and development.
They claim that the condition receives little recognition and as such children and their families can miss out on accessing help and support.
Aimed at children, parents, families and education professionals, the campaign aims to share video stories based on people's experiences of SLI and what can be done to help those affected.
The campaign is being spearheaded by a number of academics, including Dorothy Bishop, a professor of developmental neuro-psychology at Oxford University and Maggie Snowling, a professor of psychology at the University of York.
Prof Bishop said: “Language learning impairment can have a dramatic impact on children. Research shows that two in five children who have the condition say they have difficulties interacting with peers and are twice as likely to be bullied."
Prof Snowling added: “Studies show that too often behavioural issues and other conditions, such as dyslexia or autism, can also have an underlining language learning impairment.
“There has to be greater recognition of the complexity of the issues associated with SLI then greater sharing of the research insight to support education professionals and families helping those affected."
For more on the campaign and to watch the launch videos, visit the RALLI YouTube site.
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