Speech, language and communication are the foundation and building blocks for basic literacy and numeracy skills and are integral to understanding, learning and achievement in all curriculum subjects. There is a growing body of research which has identified students with behavioural difficulties as having undetected speech, language or communication needs. Speech, language and communication needs in adolescents are associated with poor academic performance, social and emotional difficulties and poor peer relationships. This resource provides information on the importance of speech, language and communication in adolescence.