Children with speech difficulties deprived of expert help

According to parents surveyed, it is common for children to only begin speaking at age 10-11 months. 34 per cent of girls were found to have said their first word before nine months, in comparison to 27 per cent of boys.

Researchers said there were no real social class differences.

Communication champion Jean Gross argues that learning to talk is one of the most important skills a child can master in the 21st Century:

"It is essential that all children get the help they need from skilled professionals as early as possible."

All those questioned in the survey claimed that they carried out activities to boost their child’s language development, including: storytelling, singing nursery rhymes and looking through picture books.

The survey, carried out in December of last year, showed 51% of children did not enjoy looking at picture books with their parents until they were over six months old.

Pressure is now on the government to fund more support for speech development. Gross argues that our ability to communicate is fundamental: “It underpins everything else.”