How to enhance my learning environment to support the speech, language and communication of children and young people with more specialist needs

You haven't selected an area yet so you will only see core resources from across the UK. Select your local area from the home page

The resources here will help you reach the outcome: "I know how to enhance my learning environment to support the speech, language and communication of children with more specialist needs."

Click the star icon A star next to the items you want to save and view them in your pathway

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

BCTC Toolkit - Visual Support

Blackpool Classrooms That Communicate is a curated collection of resources and advice that puts speech, language & communication at the heart of helping staff to help the children and young people they work with.  This includes a wide range of resources and information on the use of visuals to help support the understanding of written and spoken language. These can used with all children including those who find it difficult to listen, process and remember. 

Cost: Free

BCTC Toolkit - Visual Support
Environment
Environment

BCTC Toolkit - Effective Surroundings

Blackpool Classrooms That Communicate is a curated collection of resources and advice that puts speech, language & communication at the heart of helping staff to help the children and young people they work with.  This includes a wide range of information on how to creative effective surroundings for learning.  

Cost: Free

BCTC Toolkit - Effective Surroundings
Environment
Environment

Signalong

Signalong provides training and resources to assist those with communication difficulties and English as an additional language.

Signalong is a key word sign-supported communication system based on British sign language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word.

Cost: Free & £

Signalong
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIntervention
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforceIntervention

AAC information

A range of information to support use of augmentative and alternative communication approaches.  This include the “Focus On…” series of eight leaflets cover topics related to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). They are available in print copy and as downloadable PDF files.

AAC information
EnvironmentWorkforceIntervention
EnvironmentWorkforceIntervention

Makaton sign and symbol resources

These free Makaton resources are available for you to access and use to support communication with children.  These symbols and signs, which can also be shared with families, help you to provide extra information and clues about what you are saying as well as support the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening and understanding. 

Cost: Free

Makaton sign and symbol resources
Family SupportEnvironment
Family SupportEnvironment

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

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 SupportEnvironmentWorkforce
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforce

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 SupportEnvironmentWorkforce
Family SupportEnvironmentWorkforce
You can click here to view your pathway so far, or explore one of the sections below to view other resources.