title: Applying the World Report on Disability to children's communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The World Report on Disability is an important milestone in the recognition of people with disabilities; however, the Report acknowledges that people with communication difficulties may be underrepresented in estimates of disability. Consequently, this article applies the nine recommendations from the World Report on Disability to supporting children's communication skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Australia is similar to most Minority World countries since it places high regard on articulate and literate communication. Recent large-scale Australian studies of children with speech, language and communication needs were reviewed to determine prevalence, impact and associated environmental and personal factors. Studies of met and unmet need were reviewed and discussed in relation to legislation and policies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent years have seen improvements in the collection of and access to disability data about children's communication, including the involvement of children in research about the impact of communication difficulties on their lives. The prevalence of speech and language impairment in children is high and is associated with poorer educational and social outcomes at school-age. Significant unmet need for services was noted, and there were differences in health, education and disability policies regarding access to services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Updated legislation, policies and practices are needed to more effectively support access to services to support children's communication across health, education and disability sectors. Implications for Rehabilitation There is a high prevalence of speech and language impairment in Australian children. Childhood speech and language impairment (and associated communication disability) can impact educational, social, behavioural and occupational outcomes throughout life. Many Australian children do not have sufficient access to targeted services (including speech-language pathology) to ameliorate the impact of their communication disability. Formulation of a national strategy to support children children's communication is required.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education, Charles Sturt University , Bathurst, NSW , Australia and.
authors.forename: Sharynne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Lindy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005380:Financing, Government; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007808:Language Therapy; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D012106:Research; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013070:Speech Therapy
keywords: Communication; ICF; ICF-CY; World Health Organization; World Report on Disability; disability; language; speech