This forum is a friendly, informal group of parents and carers with children of all ages who have a range of speech, language and communication impairments.  The aim of the forum is to identify and support research into topics that parents consider to be important. New parents and carers are always welcome to join the more »

The Children and Families Bill, which is currently working its way through parliament, will replace statements with an Education, Health and Social Care (EHC) Plan. Darlington, one of the pathfinder authorities which are trialling the new reforms, have recently published a draft version. Afasic has a number of concerns about the format and content of more »

We are very concerned that the proposed wording in the new Children and Families Bill introducing changes to the SEN system may make it much harder to access the speech and language therapy your child needs. It is vital to act now to make sure this does not happen. Please read the update on the more »

As part of its proposed changes to the SEN system in England, the Government has published its first (indicative) version of the new Code of Practice, which can be read at the Department for Education website . There will be a consultation on the Code in due course and, in the meantime, Afasic has drawn up more »

Once more Afasic is urging parents and carers to have their say on service provision in County Durham and Darlington.  You may have seen articles in the local press about plans by the PCT to re-procure Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy Services for children.  NHS County Durham and Darlington are holding a consultation event more »

The latest survey by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists shows the majority of the UK’s speech and language therapy services being cut in order to save money. Two-thirds of services said cuts had affected their service users. According to the report the cuts are leading to Increases in children’s  waiting times Increasing more »