The trust — a coalition of organisations including I Can and the Council for Disabled Children — conducted a poll of 6,000 people, which included 3,000 parents. They were quizzed on facts and myths around children's communication needs.
In most cases, less than a quarter of parents or the public in general knew the facts about speech and language problems that children face.
Moreover, one in seven people said they "wouldn't have a clue" when asked whether they would recognise a child with a speech, language and communication need, while 70 per cent felt more information on how children develop language would be helpful.
Anita Kerwin-Nye, director of The Communication Trust, said: "For many children and young people, their communication difficulties are more hidden. This means they are too often misunderstood, misinterpreted or just missed altogether. If you struggle to communicate, you struggle in life, from learning in the classroom to making friends and finding employment."
The campaign will now aim to provide parents and professionals with a range of information and resources that will build greater awareness of children and young people's communication milestones and how to spot if they are struggling. Posters, booklets and top tips will be available from www.hello.org.uk.
Introducing a National Year of Communication was a recommendation in John Bercow's Review of Services for Children and Young People 0 to 19 with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
