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The SENDcast

DLD and SEND Reforms: No Child Left Behind with Jane Harris

July 16 · 56 min · 54.7 MB
0:00-56:59

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There are 1.3 million children in this country with developmental language disorder. Most of them are sitting quietly in classrooms going unnoticed.

Today, Dale is joined by Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, to discuss DLD, the SEND reforms, and what it really means to ensure no child is left behind. They discuss:

- Why children with DLD are six to ten times more likely to fall behind in core subjects, and twice as likely to be unemployed as adults.

- The deeply problematic link between unidentified speech and language challenges and mental health - and why referring these children to talking therapies without addressing the root cause simply doesn't work.

- Why children with DLD are often invisible in classrooms, quietly masking just as autistic children do - until suddenly they aren't.

- How behaviour policies are failing these children, and why over three-quarters of teachers themselves say children with speech and language challenges are being unfairly punished in schools.

- The government's new oracy framework and what it could mean for identification and support - if it goes far enough.

- Why augmentative and alternative communication technology is life-changing for some children, and why the current commissioning guidance is working against them.

About Jane Harris

Jane Harris is Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, an experienced and energetic charity sector leader with 15 years' experience influencing public policy, building new audiences, and increasing income for third sector organisations including the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Rethink Mental Illness.

Throughout her career, Jane has focused on raising the profile of issues that impact people's lives - through influencing public policy, building new audiences and increasing income generation. She has helped to measurably change public perceptions of mental health and autism.

She recently launched Voices for DLD, has been central to the SEND reform consultation with the Department for Education and partners, and has helped guide two schools to Ofsted outstanding ratings.

SEND reform and speech and language challenges

Transforming SEND campaign

DLD resources for educators

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