Awareness

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Our aim is to create awareness of SLCN (Speech and Language Communication Need) in Ireland to include the following: 

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- information on definitions, presentations, treatment and likely outcomes for speech disorders and in particular for those

of a rare nature.

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- to focus on the associated impact of SLCN on education, social development, behaviour and presentation within the early years and school years and on education, training and employment in the later years.

Advocacy

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To advocate for inclusion of teaching modules on the impact of SLCN for children with SEN whether in mainstream or special classes.

Research

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To continue our relationships with the 4 main teaching Universities in Ireland for SLT.

 

- to ensure research into rare conditions is supported in academia and that professionals are furthermore supported via CPD.

 

- to ensure SLT's are sufficiently funded to to promote and progress research into presentation/likely outcomes & care pathways so as to best advise public and private practice.

 

- to work towards a national centre of referral or excellence for private and public SLT's to access to gain expertise in particular in rare speech conditions which may be difficult to diagnose without experience.

Education

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To work with key parties to ensure

 

- there are robust guidelines & specific support pathways within education to ensure equitable access to the curriculum.

 

- that capacity within specialised speech and language classes are reviewed in line with the current demand and specialised intervention needed from a speech therapist for children in school.

 

- that a review of the current entrance criteria and eligibility for those who need to access language classes is carried out to include duration, transition management and accessibility.

 

- that assistive technology is made available for those who need it to access the curriculum.

 

- that teachers, SNAs and support staff are appropriately trained to support literacy and numeracy for children with SLCN & that those programmes are robust and can move from year to year.