On Air Now

Overnight Music

Midnight - 6:00am

  • 045 901 490
  • 0833-979797

Now Playing

Soul Asylum

Runaway Train

Over 11,000 Children Waiting For Initial Speech And Language Therapy Assessment

File image: Rolling News

1,300 have been waiting over a year.

Nearly 500 children have been waiting over two years for speech and language therapy.

According to freedom of information files, they're waiting for their first therapy session.

11,582 children are waiting for an initial assessment for speech and language therapy - nearly 1,300 of whom have been waiting over a year.

Separate figures show 5,538 children have been assessed but are waiting for their first therapy session.

452 of these have been waiting over two years.

The area with the longest waiting lists is south Tipperary, Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

Some, 343 children there have been waiting over two years for their first therapy session in this region.

=

A mother of a 6 year old with autism fears her son has been robbed of his voice forever, due to a lack of support services.

Ellen Rochford says her son, Finn, has been without speech and language supports for two and a half years.

Freedom of Information data shows 11,600 children are currently waiting for a speech and language assessment.

While another 5,538 are waiting for their first therapy session.

Ellen says Finn communicates through pictures, but fears he might not ever speak:

More from National News

Stay tuned to Kfm!

Get the Kfm Apps for you phone, tablet or smart speaker...

Kfm Kildare Weather

  • Fri

    Light rain shower

    10°C

  • Sat

    Light rain shower

    11°C

  • Sun

    Sunny intervals

    12°C

  • Mon

    Heavy Rain

    13°C