Speech and Language
Children and young people with SLCN have difficulty in communicating with others. This may be because they have difficulty saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication. The profile for every child with SLCN is different and their needs may change over time. They may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social
communication at different times of their lives. It is important to recognise that SLCN is an umbrella term and that there may be different views and opinions about how it is defined. However, here we use the Code of Practice definition.
Tips
Speech sounds
- Model speech to the children by repeating words back to them correctly.
Understanding
- Give children time to process what you have asked and respond.
- Use simple language and break instructions down into smaller steps.
- Encourage children to answer questions, such as who, what, where, when and why? When reading their books. Encourage them to tell you the story in their own words.
Expression
- Talk about all your experiences in detail, teaching new vocabulary all the time.
- Discuss vocabulary in books, making sure the children understand the meaning of tricky words.
Social Communication
- Play lots of games with your child to encourage social skills, such as taking turns and winning and losing.
- Use a visual timetable and visual aids to provide structure and routines.
Resources
https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/
https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/resources/resources/resources-for-parents/
Social skills games:
http://autismteachingstrategies.com/free-social-skills-downloads-2/