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Speech and Language Disorders

According to Afasic, 1 in 500 children have a speech or language disorder that stays with them into adulthood. This term covers a range of impediments (including symptoms of other conditions) which result in either impairment in the understanding and processing of language, or in speech.

Defintions

Speach and Language Disorders

The most common speech disorder is stammering, which affects around 1% of the UK adult population. In most cases the severity of the stammer can be reduced with speech therapy, but there is no cure.

Unless the disorder is caused by another disability, there is no link between speech and language disorders and intellectual ability. Stammering (or stuttering - the terms are interchangeable) may slow speech, but the person thinks at 'normal' speed.

Things to consider

A growing number of employers have policies that encourage diversity in their workforce, and the Disability Discrimination Act aims to stop discrimination against people because of their disability. It is now illegal to treat someone with a disability less favourably than someone without, and the Act places a requirement on employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to remove any barriers you may encounter because of your disability.

This leaves you with the question of when and how to go about disclosing your disability (you don’t have to disclose, but if you don’t you can’t claim the protection of the DDA). There’s more advice about disclosing in the Resources section, but think about the possible implications of your condition for you, and focus on the positive things. A careers advisor can help you with this.

There are growing numbers of technological solutions to any perceived barriers to your choice of career. The Access to Work scheme will provide funding for reasonable adjustments to employers, and this includes any adjustments needed for interview or selection procedure.

Rather than portray your disability as a problem, it is important to portray the positive. If you can present a potential employer with ways of making reasonable adjustments to their work place for your specific needs, and a way to pay for them, it will show you as a proactive and solution–centred person.

Case Studies

British Stammering Association
There are a range of stammering case studies at the British Stammering Association's website.

Resources

GO Wales is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
British Stammering Association
Their site contains good general information, and some excellent advice relating to employment in their 'employment index' (follow the link from 'information for adults').
The Stuttering Homepage
Good source of background information and support. Based in the US.
Afasic
The site is focussed on children with speech and language disorders, but contains some useful background information.
Graduate Prospects
The disabilities section of the UK's official Graduate Careers website includes sections on the law, marketing yourself, and case studies.