Charity warns most deaf children are missing out on vital early support.
FAMILIES of deaf children across Wales are urging political leaders to take urgent action to end what campaigners describe as a “postcode lottery” of support, warning that thousands of children are being denied the early help they need to thrive.
Ahead of the Senedd elections in May, charity Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) has issued a stark warning that the majority of deaf babies and young children in Wales are missing out on life-changing therapy due to a lack of trained specialists.
The charity says more than 85% of deaf children in Wales who could benefit from Auditory Verbal therapy currently have no access to it, leaving many at risk of falling behind their hearing peers before they even start school.
AVUK is now calling on all Welsh political parties to commit to funding and training more therapists to ensure children receive early, effective support—whether families choose to communicate through spoken language, sign language, or both.
Cardiff family shares success story
Among those backing the call is the Murphy family from Cardiff, whose seven-year-old daughter Grace was diagnosed as deaf as a baby and graduated from the Auditory Verbal therapy programme in summer 2025.
Grace, who now attends a mainstream school, enjoys writing, colouring, dressing up, singing and dancing—activities her family once feared might never be possible.
Her mother Rhian said: “We are so incredibly proud of Grace and what she has achieved. It’s not only her speech which has developed so wonderfully but also her confidence.
“Simply being able to use her voice to express herself is amazing and a place I often wondered if we would reach.
“But we know that many families are not as lucky as us and don’t have access to essential early and effective support for their deaf children and this has to change.”
Therapy helps children learn to listen and speak
Auditory Verbal therapy is designed to support deaf babies and pre-school children to interpret sound through hearing aids or cochlear implants, helping them develop spoken language and communication skills.
AVUK says research shows around 80% of children who attend an Auditory Verbal programme for at least two years achieve age-appropriate spoken language.
For children with additional needs, outcomes are also significant. AVUK reports that one in two reach age-appropriate spoken language after two years, and that overall children with additional needs double their rate of spoken language development.
Grace, who has sensory integration issues, reportedly achieved language development at double the expected rate during her time on the programme.
“No trained therapists working across Wales”
Despite these reported benefits, AVUK says Wales currently has no trained Auditory Verbal therapists working across the country, meaning most families are unable to access the programme locally.
AVUK Chief Executive Anita Grover said: “There are approximately 300 deaf children under five in Wales who are at risk of falling behind their hearing peers, facing lower academic achievement, reduced employment prospects, and a higher risk of social exclusion, bullying and poor mental health.
“But with early, effective support deaf children can develop their language and communication and thrive at school and beyond.”
Public support and economic case
The charity is urging the next Welsh Government to invest in training a small number of existing professionals—such as teachers of the deaf and speech and language therapists—so that Auditory Verbal support can be delivered more widely.
AVUK claims public backing for the proposal is strong, stating that 87% of adults in Wales believe Auditory Verbal therapy should be available through publicly funded services.
The charity estimates that £800,000 would fund the training of 12 Auditory Verbal therapists, providing Wales-wide coverage for children under five and supporting the most vulnerable families during the transition.
AVUK says the investment could deliver £7 million in economic benefit over 10 years.
Calls for manifestos to include commitments
AVUK has written to Welsh party leaders calling for the issue to be included in election manifestos and urging them to meet families like Grace’s.
Anita Grover added: “Every day we hear from families who simply want their deaf child to have the same opportunities as any other child — to develop their language, build confidence and thrive.
“With the Welsh Parliament elections just weeks away, we’re asking political leaders to consider the human and economic case of investing in Auditory Verbal therapy.”
For more information, visit www.avuk.org.
