Thousands of children miss out on communication aids

The study by the disability charity estimated that 7,554 people aged from birth to 19 could benefit from powered communication aids such as the system used by physicist Stephen Hawking, but only 2,115 were already using one.

It also estimated that 75,542 children and young people could benefit from some type of augmented and alternative communication (AAC).

Katie Holmes, research manager for Communication Matters, said the findings demonstrate the need for the Department for Education and the NHS to encourage the commissioning of specialist AAC services.

"The research highlights growing need for AAC in the UK, yet what is lagging behind is commissioning of services, funding arrangements and specialist expertise," she said.

"It has confirmed what we knew anecdotally: that there is a postcode lottery of support and provision for both children and adults who use AAC."

"For those who use AAC and their families, the biggest issue is the constant barriers they face around securing funding for much-needed services and equipment.

"Too much of their time is spent battling for funding when it could be better used to support individuals and increase skills and confidence in the AAC field."

ACC covers a wide range of techniques, equipment and methods that support people who have speech, language or communication impairments.

These include communication boards, signing and computer-based systems such as voice output communication aids.