Supporting Understanding

This video features six top tips to help a young person better understand what is being said to them.

It is part of a series that has been made to help parents and carers support young people (aged 11-18) with communication difficulties. 

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

Makaton sign and symbol resources

These free Makaton resources are available for you to access and use to support communication.  These symbols and signs 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

RADLD

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

Cost: Free

AAC information

A range of information to support use of argumentative and alternative communication approaches. 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.

Attention Autism

Attention Autism is an intervention model designed by Gina Davies, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.  It aims to develop natural and spontaneous communication through the use of visually based and highly motivating activities.  It has been designed to help parents and professionals give their autistic child an irresistible invitation to learn, having fun whilst doing so and providing the child with an experience worth communicating about. Training is available for both professionals and parents.

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.

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. 

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: £9/month upwards

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. 

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

Symbols

Widgit provides symbols that you can use to support communication such as creating communication books to share information; visual timetables to support understanding of structure and routine; task boards to support independent learning and pictures to develop vocabulary. Here you will find more information about how to use symbols to help communication and independence.  It also include resources and ideas to get you started.

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 support hub to speak to a professional who will be able to answer your questions.

Cost: Free