The term speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) describes difficulties across one or many aspects of communication including:problems with producing speech sounds accurately,stammering,voice problems, such as hoarseness and loss of voice, problems understanding language (making sense of what people say), problems using language (words and sentences) , problems interacting with others. For example, difficulties understanding the non-verbal rules of good communication or using language in different ways to question, clarify or describe things.

As a starting point we have provided a download for  a general support sheet from the communication trust 

Some children with communication needs may benefit from social stories to help them understand and make sense of situations. Social stories can be used for this. We have included a social story about coronavirus for you.

All children who are seen by a speech and language therapist have been set a programme by the therapist.

• If your child has been seen by the local authority therapist, you will have been sent that programme in the post. The programme informs you about your child’s targets and have ideas how you can help with them, they often include some game and activity sheets.
• If your child is seen by our school speech and language therapist their teacher will have spoken to you about the work that they are doing. If you are unsure about how you can carry this on at home, just ask.
• Some of the programmes refer to makaton or cued articulation:

Cued Articulation In school we encourage many of our children to use the cued articulation method to help with speech sounds. You can find out more by visiting https://www.wiseoldowlslt.com/article/cued-articulation-to-help-speech-sound-development

Makaton Some children need to use whole word signing to aid their communication, the system we use in school is Makaton. Makaton uses simple symbols for children to point to as well as signs.You can find out more by visiting https://www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton/  .  They have some free downloads. We have included the hygiene one below

The BBC’ Something Special website is also a useful source for Makaton and children generally love the programmes.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/something-special

	The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-.pdf	[pdf 825KB]
	Makaton Hygiene	[pdf 518KB]
	communicationtrusttoptipssheet.pdf	[pdf 2MB]