Aphasia and SEN support

Our specialist SEN solicitors help families secure the right educational support for children with aphasia.

Helping children with aphasia communicate, learn and thrive.

Aphasia is a complex communication difficulty which affects the brain, that can significantly affect a child’s ability to understand and use language. Most commonly, aphasia causes a child to use the wrong word or to put words together incorrectly.

At Boyes Turner, our specialist SEN solicitors support families in securing the right educational provision for children with aphasia.

Trusted and nationally recognised special educational needs specialists with decades of experience.
Clear, practical support at every stage, helping families navigate complex SEN processes.

Extensive experience across all SEN appeals, including EHCPs, school placements, and SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Transparent and flexible fee structures, including capped fee options where appropriate.

Why might a child with aphasia need an EHCP?

A child with aphasia may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) where their communication difficulties require specialist, long-term, or intensive support that goes beyond what a school can provide from its own resources.

An EHCP can ensure that a child’s speech and language needs are formally assessed, clearly specified, and legally protected, with appropriate provision in place to support access to education.

EHCP support and benefits for children with aphasia

An EHCP can secure legally enforceable support tailored to a child’s individual communication needs. This may include specialist therapy, structured interventions, appropriate educational placements, and support to promote independence, confidence, and participation in school. The plan should take a holistic view of the child’s education, health, and care needs.

Aphasia FAQs

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain responsible for communication. In children, it may be the result of an acquired brain injury, stroke, infection, tumour, or other neurological condition. Aphasia can affect a child’s ability to understand spoken language, express themselves verbally, read, write, or use language socially.

The presentation of aphasia varies widely. Some children may struggle mainly with understanding language, while others may find it difficult to find words, form sentences, or communicate fluently.

How does aphasia affect a child’s behaviour?

Difficulties with communication can have a significant impact on a child’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing. A child with aphasia may appear frustrated, withdrawn, anxious, or distressed, particularly in school where language demands are high.

Behaviour that is perceived as challenging may in fact be a response to not being understood or being unable to express needs, thoughts, or emotions effectively.

What other needs can children with aphasia have alongside their language difficulties?

Children with aphasia often have additional needs alongside their language difficulties. These may include physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, learning difficulties, sensory processing issues, or emotional and mental health needs.

Where aphasia is linked to an acquired brain injury, a child may also experience difficulties with memory, attention, or executive functioning.

What support and provision may a local authority need to provide for a child with aphasia?

Local authorities may need to consider provision such as:

specialist speech and language therapy,
tailored teaching approaches,
adapted learning materials,
communication aids,
staff training,
and support with social communication.

In some cases, specialist placements or additional therapeutic input may be required.

What happens if my child with aphasia doesn’t have an EHCP?

Without an EHCP, support can be inconsistent and may not fully meet a child’s needs.

Schools are limited in what they can provide from their own budgets, and there is no legal requirement on the local authority to deliver specific provision. This can result in a child falling behind academically or struggling to access the curriculum and school life more broadly.

How to apply for an EHCP for a child with aphasia?

Parents can request an EHC needs assessment from their local authority. The authority must consider whether the child’s needs may require provision through an EHCP.

The process involves gathering evidence from education, health, and care professionals, including speech and language therapists. Strict legal timescales apply, and decisions can be challenged if they are incorrect or inadequately reasoned.

What can I do if I’m unhappy with my child’s EHCP or the local authority’s decision?

If a local authority refuses to assess, refuses to issue an EHCP, or produces a plan that does not properly describe your child’s needs or provision, you have the right to challenge the decision.

This may involve mediation, appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), or seeking amendments to sections of the EHCP, including placement and support.

How can solicitors help families and children with aphasia?

Specialist SEN solicitors can guide families through the EHCP process, ensure that professional evidence is properly considered, and challenge decisions that do not meet a child’s needs. Legal support can be particularly valuable where communication difficulties are complex or where local authorities dispute the level or type of provision required.

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Specialist experience in SEN law: Our solicitors have extensive experience advising families on the full range of special educational needs legal processes. Our expertise ensures you receive clear, accurate advice grounded in a detailed understanding of the law and how local authorities apply it in practice.

Focused, practical solutions: We take the time to understand your child’s individual needs and circumstances. Our advice is tailored to help you secure the right support, whether that means strengthening an EHCP, challenging inadequate provision, or appealing a local authority decision.

Supportive and collaborative approach: The SEN process can be overwhelming. We work closely with families, schools, professionals and other advisers to ensure all evidence and communication is aligned and coherent. This collaborative approach helps streamline the process and strengthens your case.

A leading full-service law firm: Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. As a full-service firm, our specialist teams can support you with related legal needs where required, including Court of Protection, community care, medical negligence and private wealth, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to your care.

Contact us

If you would like advice about a related matter, please complete the form and one of our SEN specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.

Please note we do not offer legal aid. Read about our fees.

Or give us a call:

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

Laxmi helped with my son tribunal case in regard to section I of his EHCP. Our tribunal got brought forward by 6 months early, not giving us much time to get everything in place. Laxmi was great and said we can do it even with just little time left to get prepared and ready for the Tuesday. As a parent, I didn’t know what we needed to send or do, Laxmi took the time to explain everything to us and what we needed to do to prepare for the tribunal. Laxmi went above and beyond to help us and successfully won getting the school we needed for are son to start in September 2024. I would highly recommend Laxmi to take on the local authority in regard to any EHCP appeals. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.

Natalie

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

We were immediately impressed with James and our initial judgment proved correct as we went on to negotiate with Essex a care package for our daughter. Throughout the process, James supported us and was always on hand to give us excellent advice, source and guide an ISW in writing a report for us, and assist with crafting skilfully worded emails to the Authority. More importantly for us, James was always kind and understanding, and brought a wonderful sense of humour to our meetings. We feel most fortunate to have found him and would not hesitate to recommend him

Kitty Carrick

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

Laxmi’s exceptional understanding in SEN law combined with her professional, honest and empathic approach gave us the assurance that we had a solicitor who was and would continually do her best on our behalf. We would highly recommend any one seeking a SEN solicitor to use Laxmi.

David Bernstein

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

We would like to thank the Boyes Turner team, especially Janata Ali, for the exceptional support throughout the process. Just over a year ago we were lost and scared for our child’s future. It is a completely different reality today. Our child is much happier in the new school, with all the support and the quality of teaching, mentoring that he is receiving. It was the right battle to fight. It would not have been possible without Janata’s help, guidance, experience and commitment to our case. We are endlessly grateful, as this means that our child can have a better quality of life now and better prospects in the future.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

Janata Ali is an expert in n her field which resulted in us winning our case against the local authority to issue an EHCP for our son. Our son will hopefully now thrive and we will be forever grateful for her help and support with our case.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

James, Laxmi and Daisy, worked so Patrick’s case, due to his very complex profile we had to go through three tribunals. They all worked so hard to secure our son’s placement. I would most definitely recommend James and Laxmi to anyone wishing to pursue the right provision for their young person.

Cath and Phil

What our clients say

I’m thankful

I’m thankful that we found James, without him my son would have been abandoned by his Local Authority. Moving on from college is a stressful process for all the family, & Local Authority knows this & uses this to try & push parents to the limit, by ignoring their responsibility hoping that you will give up . In came James, took pressure off me & onto them . Highly recommend. We won , my son now can start his transition to his next chapter. Thank you.

Rebecca Wallace

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

We contacted Boyes Turner earlier this year after we ran into a dispute with our local authority. This was about a social care matter and learning disability. The case was handled with professionalism and tact. James was a pleasure to deal with. Clear communication, humour and detailed knowledge of the law in this area.

Andrew

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

The help and support we received from James for our son’s EHC plan has been absolutely invaluable. With his help, we were able to secure an outcome that suits our child. James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable and made a very stressful process much more manageable.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

James Pantling-Skeet helped us prepare my daughter’s EHCP to gain a good placement for the future. He was patient, extremely knowledgeable, had brilliant contacts, helped withe emotional upheaval and organised meetings with all parties to keep everything on track. We had the best outcome we could have had due to his professionalism. He was very caring too. He and his team worked tirelessly and answered our queries promptly. I would highly recommend their service.

Boyes Turner Client

Recognised leading UK law firm

Boyes Turner is consistently ranked as a leading law firm by top legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Aphasia and SEN support

Helping children with aphasia communicate, learn and thrive.

Why might a child with aphasia need an EHCP?

EHCP support and benefits for children with aphasia

Aphasia FAQs

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Contact us

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Laxmi Patel

James Pantling-Skeet

Rachael Allison

Emma Trevett

Steven Baylis

Janata Ali

Lacie Smith

Rachel Baxter

Daisy Fox-Clarkin

Libby Buxton

Amber Puri

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

What our clients say

I’m thankful

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

Recognised leading UK law firm

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