Many children with social, emotional and mental health needs also have speech language and communication needs (SLCN). These difficulties are not always easily identified as a child’s behaviour can mask their communication problems.
Speech, language, and communication needs may include any of the following:
- Difficulties putting ideas into words and sentences
- Difficulties sequencing words
- Difficulties remembering or understanding some of the things people say
- Difficulties making words come out smoothly
- Difficulty knowing how to join in conversations in the right way
- Difficulties with speech sounds and talking clearly
- Difficulties reading non-verbal communication and personal space
- Difficulties with literality
We work with therapists from Speaking Space who visit the school weekly and work closely with school staff to identify and support children with these needs.
Communication Friendly Classrooms
At Wymering we strive to make each classroom ‘communication friendly’. This means that the classroom environment is set up to encourage better understanding and use of language, for example by using pictures and objects to back up spoken language, visual supports or working with partners to plan answers before sharing. All staff aim to speak at the right level for each individual child, for example by simplifying instructions, repeating information and allowing processing time. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary teaching within lessons, including identifying key words, learning word meanings, and providing opportunities to use new words across the school day.
For some students with SLCN this is all they need to support their needs and make good progress. For other students, additional support is provided through Intervention sessions run directly by the Speech and Language Therapist or by school staff, with monitoring and support from the Speech and Language Therapists.
