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Parents 'wrongly blamed for speech problems' Parents 'wrongly blamed for speech problems'
(2 months later)
By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter   By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter
Long-term speech and language problems are wrongly being blamed on parents not talking to their children and too much television, research suggests.Long-term speech and language problems are wrongly being blamed on parents not talking to their children and too much television, research suggests.
A survey for the Communication Trust reveals common misconceptions about the cause of serious communication difficulties.A survey for the Communication Trust reveals common misconceptions about the cause of serious communication difficulties.
The charity says the exact cause of such problems is often unknown.The charity says the exact cause of such problems is often unknown.
Parents know more about milestones in the development of walking than of talking, it adds.Parents know more about milestones in the development of walking than of talking, it adds.
The poll of 6,000 people, including 3,000 parents, was carried out to explore perceptions about children's speech and language development.The poll of 6,000 people, including 3,000 parents, was carried out to explore perceptions about children's speech and language development.
It suggested half of parents thought serious communication difficulties were caused by parents not talking to their children enough.It suggested half of parents thought serious communication difficulties were caused by parents not talking to their children enough.
One in six blamed excessive TV-watching or computer use.One in six blamed excessive TV-watching or computer use.
However, one in five of those polled considered biological or genetic reasons as a possible cause of problems.However, one in five of those polled considered biological or genetic reasons as a possible cause of problems.
The research for government-backed charitable group the Communication Trust also suggested that one in three parents have had concerns about their children's speech and language development.The research for government-backed charitable group the Communication Trust also suggested that one in three parents have had concerns about their children's speech and language development.
It is being published to launch the group's year-long "Hello" campaign to improve services for children with speech and language problems. The group of 40 bodies involved in tackling communication problems is working to improve access to specialist help and support.It is being published to launch the group's year-long "Hello" campaign to improve services for children with speech and language problems. The group of 40 bodies involved in tackling communication problems is working to improve access to specialist help and support.
The survey also revealed that many people know little about the talking milestones a child should reach.The survey also revealed that many people know little about the talking milestones a child should reach.
Just one in four parents (25%) knew that on average, babies say their first word at between 12 and 18 months, while almost a third (31%) expected it to be at six to eight months.Just one in four parents (25%) knew that on average, babies say their first word at between 12 and 18 months, while almost a third (31%) expected it to be at six to eight months.
England's communication tsar Jean Gross said the public understanding of children's communication difficulties remained worryingly low.England's communication tsar Jean Gross said the public understanding of children's communication difficulties remained worryingly low.
"The automatic response seems to be to blame parents or technology."The automatic response seems to be to blame parents or technology.
"This just isn't right. We need to clear up the confusion and myths that exist around the subject.""This just isn't right. We need to clear up the confusion and myths that exist around the subject."
"Ten per cent of children, that's two to three in every classroom, have some form of long term communication difficulty that can affect them early, severely and for life."Ten per cent of children, that's two to three in every classroom, have some form of long term communication difficulty that can affect them early, severely and for life.
"Their brains don't process language in quite the same way that other children's brains do.""Their brains don't process language in quite the same way that other children's brains do."
She added: "For every child it is great for parents to talk to them and for the TV to be turned off for part of the time, but we should not be blaming parents for this big group of children's problems - these are based on biological difficulties."She added: "For every child it is great for parents to talk to them and for the TV to be turned off for part of the time, but we should not be blaming parents for this big group of children's problems - these are based on biological difficulties."
There were two groups of children, she explained, those with communication problems based on the way they had been nurtured and those based on nature.There were two groups of children, she explained, those with communication problems based on the way they had been nurtured and those based on nature.
The survey was carried out for the Communication Trust on 19 and 20 January online by polling organisation One Poll.The survey was carried out for the Communication Trust on 19 and 20 January online by polling organisation One Poll.


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I knew at 18 months that my son was not talking as he should.At his 2 and a half year check I asked the Health Visitor to refer him for Speech Therapy. He was diagnosed at 4 years with Semantic Pragamatic Language Disorder. Now aged 7 he attends a Speech and Language Unit in a mainstream school with marvellous support. These children need help to acheive their academic and social potential.
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  • My sister has no speech at all. What this story is highlighting is how hidden these communication difficulties are. My sister looks completely normal but when she can't express herself, her frustration builds and she can kick off in public. My mum has been called everything under the sun including a bad mother. We should be making families lives easier not harder, this issue is misunderstood.
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  • As a person with speech problems due to congenital disability, I fail to see where this report is going?I do however agree that some speech problems may well be genetic. 2 of my children speak wonderfully, a third struggles to get the words out in the right order... much like my husband and his brother do, and their uncle. I am unconcerned, we are aware of it,and thats the main thing.
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  • I thought my son had speech problems, but on further investigation from Consultants and speech therapists and constant ear infections, last year had grommits fitted in his ears and his speech has improved so much that he is at the right stage he should be for a 4 year old.
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