Information and sources of advice for professionals supporting children and young people with more complex speech, language and communication needs
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The resources here will help you reach the outcome: "I know what specialist information to give parents and families of toddlers with identified speech, language and communication needs."
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Tiny Happy People SEND information
This area of the Tiny Happy People BBC website provides a wide range of information, ideas and activities for parents of toddlers with SEND.
Cost: Free
Worcestershire information for families
The Worcestershire SLCN Pathway is based on the belief that parents are the most important people in a child’s life in terms of making a positive difference to speech, language and communication development at all stages. The Pathway offers guidance and advice for you to share with parents and carers on how to:
- Identify children with SLCN
- Support children with SLCN
- Adapt the environment for children with SLCN
- Make provision for children with SLCN
- Plan for further development of staff skills and knowledge about SLCN
- Find out about further sources of information
Cost: Free
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
Using visual support
Parents play a key role in supporting their toddler's language and communication skills in everyday life. Children learn about the world through their experiences and interests particularly within their play. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust provide information and opportunities for families learn more about developing their toddler's speech and language - this video introduces how to use visual support to help communication.
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 to use and 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 toddler 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
I CAN How to support your child
This information for families provides ideas for them to support their toddler and forms part of Speech and Language UK's guide to the typical stages of speech and language development. Toddlers develop language at different rates and understanding what is typical and what parents and carers can do to support their toddler's communication and language helps provide them with a great start.
Cost: Free
Health and Care Professions Council
The HCPC regulate health and care professions including Speech and Language Therapists. They do this by setting standards for professionals' education, training and practice; keep a register of professionals who meet their standards and take action if professionals on their register do not meet their standards. Here you will find their register.
Signalong Training
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 & £
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 parents can look out for and it can help them to know how talking develops, what happens and when. Here Afasic provides information for you to share with parents 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
CBeebies supporting speech and language difficulties
Ideas for parents and carers to help their toddler learn to communicate. This webpage provides a range of strategies to support families to help their child make themselves understood and express their feelings.
Cost: Free
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: £
Family Information Service
Your local Family Information Service (FIS) provides a range of information on all services available to parents, including parents of disabled children.
Cost: Free
EarlyBird Programme
EarlyBird is a support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with young autistic children under five years. The programme works on understanding autism, building confidence to encourage interaction and communication, and understanding and supporting behaviour.
Developing Joint Attention
Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to help develop your child's joint attention - this means being able to focus on the same thing as you at the same time. How to help your child developing joint attention through play is broken down to help you easily understand what to do step by step.
Cost: Free
Helping social communication development
Parents play a key role in supporting their toddler's language and communication skills in everyday life. Children learn about the world through their experiences and interests particularly within their play. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust provide information and opportunities for families to learn more about developing their toddler's speech and language including this presentation about social communication.
Cost: Free
NeuroSENse explainer - Facts and Myths about Deafness
This blog and video aims to raise awareness of several misconceptions related to deafness and language development and promote a better understanding of the barriers to language and communication that children with deafness can encounter.
