Speech disorders on the rise in pre-schools

In 2001, speech impairments accounted for about 10% of the population living with disabilities in Botswana. The Botswana Society for Human Development (BSHD), a local NGO, plans to convene an array of specialists in the field of speech and communication therapy, educators and other disciplinarians over the weekend to discus communication disorders. BSHD chairperson, Sharon Tshipa said told Mmegi that the numbers were worrying.

“0ut of 229 children with special education enrolled in pre-primary schools across the country in 2013, the number of pupils with speech impairments was the highest at 104 followed by those with multiple disabilities,” she said.