Information and sources of advice for professionals supporting children and young people with identified speech, language and communication needs
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The resources here will help you reach the outcome: "I know what information to give parents and families of teenagers where there are concerns about their speech, language and communication."
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Balanced System for Schools and Settings
The Balanced System Scheme for Schools and Settings is a whole system approach to improving outcomes for children across the range of speech, language and communication needs for any setting that supports children. The framework enables a setting to understand existing need and provision for speech, language and communication and develop provision to address the gaps. The framework supports a setting to demonstrate impact of the support for speech, language and communication.
Cost: £
Stamma
The British Stammering Association, now known as Stamma since 2019, is a national organisation for children and young people who stammer and their families. It also provides information, advice and support for professionals working with children and young people who stammer.
Parent information, advice and resources - Worcestershire
The Worcestershire Speech and Language Therapy service website provides a comprehensive range of resources, advice and You Tube videos to help parents to support their child / young person at home.
Visit the website to find:
- Information about speech, language and communication
- Free resources you can download and use at home
- Links to our You Tube channel where you will find demonstrations of activities you can do at home
- Further information about the local team, where we work and what services we provide
Cost: Free
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
Enquiry Line
The Speech and Language UK Enquiry Service gives parents a chance to discuss questions or concerns about their child’s speech, language and communication development with one of Speech and Language UK’s speech and language therapists. The therapists can give helpful information about children’s talking and communication development as well as tips on improving these skills. They can also offer advice on ages and stages and what can be done to help the child get the right support.
Cost: Free
Afasic
Afasic supports parents and carers with young children who have difficulties with listening, talking and understanding others. Here is information for you use and to share with families of the children you support. It includes a wide range of information about talking, listening and understanding and what might cause these difficulties. If families are worried that their young child is not talking or not saying as much as other children of their age, they can contact Afasic by telephone or email to speak to someone who can help.
Cost: Free
Afasic Parent Helpline
If a parent is worried about their child / young person's speech, language and communication, share this Afasic helpline information so that they can speak to someone who can help by telephone or email.
Cost: Free
Speech and Language UK Ages and Stages
This is a guide to the typical stages of speech and language development in children. Children develop language at different rates. However, understanding what is typical can help you identify speech and language problems early. This page also provides information about how to support children's development.
Cost: Free
I CAN How to support communication
This information for families provides ideas for them to support their child / young person and forms part of Speech and Language UK's guide to the typical stages of speech and language development. Children and young people develop language at different rates and understanding what is typical and what parents and carers can do to support communication and language helps provide them with a great start.
Cost: Free
RADLD
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is diagnosed when children and young people struggle with language, resulting in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings. This website provides you with information and resources to help identify and support children and young people with DLD. Information can also be shared with families and carers of children and young people with DLD.
Cost: Free
Makaton sign and symbol resources
These free Makaton resources are available for you to access and use to support communication with children and young people. 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
Signs and Symbols
Widgit provides symbols that can be used to support communication making information, documents and resources to be more accessible and inclusive. The symbols can be used for a variety of purposes such as creating communication books to share information; visual timetables to support understanding of structure and routine; task boards to support independent learning; pictures to develop vocabulary and to support children learning English as an additional language.
This website has information to support your understanding of how to use symbols including training resources, events and links to a network of organisations around the UK who offer advice and support.
There is also information for parents and carers to help them understand how they can use symbols to support their child or young person at home.
Cost: £
Don't Get Me Wrong
Information about identifying speech, language and communication needs including a checklist of 35 indicators helps to identify if a teenager may have difficulties with their understanding of spoken language, the meaning of their message, function or reason for communication including pragmatics and social communication. Use to support your understanding and assessment of a child or young person's needs and share with parents and carers who are concerned. Download here: Don't Get Me Wrong
Cost: Free
Speech Link Parent Portal
The Speech Link Parent Portal offers advice, information and activities for you to share with families so that they know how to develop their children’s understanding, talking and listening. It includes information about speech, language and communication, how these skills develop, activities and top tips videos.
Cost: Free
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
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 for you to share with parents and carers to help them understand and support their child.
Cost: Free
