Where to go for specialist help about what to expect, and when, with my child / young person's understanding, talking or communication skills

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The resources here will help you reach the outcome: "I know where to go for specialist help about what to expect, and when, with my child's understanding, talking or communication."

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Progress Checker

Speech and Language UK's progress checker provides short questions you can answer to see how your child is getting on with their speech, language and communication development.

Cost: Free

Progress Checker
Family SupportIdentification
Family SupportIdentification

Dyspraxia Foundation

Dyspraxia Foundation provides information and advice for families and professionals supporting children with verbal dyspraxia.

Cost: Free

Dyspraxia Foundation
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention

Afasic My Child Isn't Talking and I'm Worried

Children develop and learn to talk at different rates – some more slowly or quickly than others. However, there are key milestones to look out for and it can help you to know how talking develops, what happens and when. Here Afasic provides information on identifying who can help; first steps to getting help and support; gathering information and keeping a record and questions to ask professionals.

Cost: Free

Afasic My Child Isn't Talking and I'm Worried
Family SupportIdentification
Family SupportIdentification

Speech and Language UK Ages and Stages

Understanding what is typical for children and young people's talking can help you identify speech and language support needs.  Here can find information about ages and stages of development as well as information to help your child talk and develop their communication skills.

Cost: Free

Speech and Language UK Ages and Stages
Family SupportIdentification
Family SupportIdentification

Afasic About Talking

Afasic supports parents and carers with young children who have difficulties with listening, talking and understanding others. Here you will find information about: talking, listening and understanding; the terms used to describe these skills; how to recognise if your young child may have difficulties in these areas; some of the terms used to describe types of difficulties; what might cause these difficulties and the impact that this may have on their development

Afasic About Talking
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

RADLD

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is diagnosed when children struggle to develop language, resulting in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings.  This website signposts parents and carers to further information and resources to help identify and support their child with DLD.

 

Cost: Free

RADLD
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

ASLTIP

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides information and a contact point for members of the public searching for an Independent Speech and Language Therapist. It also provides members with access to a UK network of SLTs and ongoing professional support.

Cost: £

ASLTIP
Family SupportWorkforceIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportWorkforceIdentificationIntervention

EarlyBird Plus Programme

EarlyBird Plus is a support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with young autistic children aged 4-9 years.  The programme works on understanding autism, building confidence to encourage interaction and communication, and understanding and supporting behaviour.

EarlyBird Plus Programme
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

Teen Life Programme

Teen Life is a support programme for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with autistic children and young people aged 10-16 years. The Teen Life programme aims to empower parents and supporting professionals to understand more about how autism is experienced by autistic teenagers.

Teen Life Programme
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

Engage with Developmental Language Disorder

Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (E-DLD) connects people affected by DLD to academic research.  E-DLD keep families and individuals updated on research findings; current research projects; DLD-related activities.  They also host events, allowing members to meet and share experiences. E-DLD supports researchers and other professionals working to improve outcomes for people with DLD. 

 Engage with Developmental Language Disorder
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention

Michael Palin Centre for Stammering

The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering helps children, young people and adults who stammer through individually-tailored therapy delivered by highly experienced specialists. 

Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIdentificationIntervention

Stamma

The British Stammering Association, now known as Stamma since 2019, is a national organisation for children who stammer - here you will find information, advice and support.  You can also contact Stamma using their helpline; webchat or email facility.  They are available to answer your questions, listen and help you find information.

Cost: Free

Stamma
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

SMIRA

SMIRA became a UK Registered Charity in 1992, having been set up initially to support families with selectively mute children. Here you will find further information, advice and resources to help you understand and support your child.

Cost: Free

SMIRA
Family SupportIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportIdentificationIntervention

Action for Stammering Helpline

Action for Stammering Children (ASC) is a UK charity which aims for a society where children and young people who stammer have the same opportunities and quality of life as their peers. Their goal is to ensure that every child and young person across the UK who stammers has access to effective services and support to help them meet the challenges they face.  Call their helpline to speak to a professional who will be able to answer your questions.

Cost: Free

Action for Stammering Helpline
Family SupportWorkforceIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportWorkforceIdentificationIntervention

Now and Next Boards

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use a 'now and next' or 'first and then' board to help your child understand what is going to happen next and to encourage them to do what you want them to do.  It explains how using pictures can help if children are having difficulties with language.

Cost: Free

Now and Next Boards
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

Using Objects and Sensory Cueing

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use objects and sensory cueing to link words, objects and routines. This helps children prepare for and anticipate what is going to happen next; supports language development; supports them to become engaged in a variety of daily routines.

Cost: Free

Using Objects and Sensory Cueing
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention

Communication Boards

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use communication boards through play and everyday activities to supporting understanding and as a way to allow your child to communicate with you.

Cost: Free

Communication Boards
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentIdentificationIntervention
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