Among young offenders, the figures are particularly alarming - most estimates show that about two out of three have communication problems and are grammatically incompetent.
This has hitherto been a cause less fashionable than certain universal concerns such as healthy eating or play. But the incapacity to communicate is Britain's great, hidden disability. Now, thanks to MP John Bercow's review, the interim findings of which are published this week, the issue is being thrust firmly into the spotlight (see Feature, p18).
The costs of ignoring the problem are profound. Studies consistently show children with communication difficulties are far more likely to be underachievers in education and employment. They have a greater probability of suffering mental health problems and can struggle to form relationships. And as speech and language therapists testify in our feature (p18), many communicate through aggression and violence and end up in the criminal justice system.
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