“I know that many local schools are working with speech and language therapists to identify needs early in young children and also assist in developing basic communication skills like listening.
[caption id="attachment_30049" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Simon Hamilton and Michelle McIlveen with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Policy Officer Alison McCullough MBE at the Giving Voice event at Stormont."]
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“I support the objectives of the Giving Voice campaign and believe that early intervention with children suffering from speech and language problems not only benefit the person but can save the public purse money in the long term”.
Michelle McIlveen added, “Speech and language therapists like those who visited Stormont are doing a great job in developing peoples communication skills. It is estimated by 51% of pre-school providers in Northern Ireland that speech and language difficulties are on the increase. If this problem is not addressed and addressed early, then not only will the child experience acute problems throughout their lives but society will suffer too.
“Sustaining speech and language services can help save the NHS more by spending less both on children and those recovering from strokes, head injuries and those dealing with dementia”.
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