WIREDGOV

Young people with specific language impairments are amongst 30 different communities which today benefit from a share of £9.6 million from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme in England.

Afasic will use its £298,926 to expand its work across England to support and develop communication, social and life skills of children and young people under the age of 25 with specific language impairment (SLI). The disability sometimes occurs as part of another disability, such as Down’s Syndrome, a hearing impairment or may appear in children who are otherwise developing normally.

Afasic advises seven per cent of children in the UK have SLI, yet only three percent of the school population is ever identified as having the condition. The organisation will work with around 1,500 children and young people who are often excluded because they don’t fit in, becoming socially isolated, disempowered and at risk of falling into the youth justice system.

Children and young people will be given the opportunity to meet with others to socialise in a friendly and supportive environment to enable them to achieve independence as they reach adulthood. Support will be through a broad range of channels including transition courses during the school summer holidays to prepare children who are moving from primary to senior school, one of the most difficult times for children.

Afasic will also run 12 roadshows each year across the country to offer advice and information to beneficiaries and parents to enable them to advocate for their children and develop support networks. Children, parents and support teams will also benefit from leaflets, training and guidance publications about SLI.

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