Communication and interaction

What are communication and interaction needs?

SLCN (speech, language and communication needs) have difficulty in communicating with others, either communicating with others, or understanding when others communicate with them. They may have problems interpreting the social rules of communication. A child or YP may have one or many difficulties. Those with autism typically struggle with communication , social interaction, and language, which impacts how they manage in social situations.

Communication and interaction needs include:

Speech delay / poor speech vobabulary/ immature speech

Stammer or stutter

Word retrieval difficulty

Mispronounciation of speech sounds (phonology)

Language difficulties- difficulty in undestanding what they have read or heard

Conversation difficulties- difficulty in listening and understanding, taking turns to speak, interrupting others,

Reading non verbal cues, facial expressions and body language

Selective mutism

Aversion to look at those they are talking to.

Cognition and learning

Cognition and learning needs may encompass most of the curriculum, such as for pupils with MLD or SLD. However, cognition and learning needs may only impact on specific areas such as reading, writing, spelling and mental calculations. Cognition and learning needs generally account for difficulties in curriculum-related areas such as:

• reading, writing and spelling

• numerosity

• comprehension

• processing difficulties such as sequencing, inference, coherence and elaboration

• working memory

• short term verbal memory

• other types of executive function difficulties (Nansen).

Dyslexia:

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.

Social, emotional and mental health difficulties

What are social, emotional and mental health difficulties?

These difficulties are ones that affect a child or YP's ability to regulate their emotions, or their ability to function in social situations. These areas of need are more likely to affect children who are looked after, have been looked after, or are victims of abuse (Martin- Denham and Watts, 2019). It is thought that children who have been through change and (sometimes rushed) transitions are more likely to experience mental health difficulties as their brain tries to process the experiences

These difficulties vary in duration and severity, and impact, and will vary how the child or YP is able to participate in learning. Mental health can lapse and return throughout childhood and youth, These difficulties can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:

• becoming withdrawn

• isolation from friends, family and groups

• displaying challenging, disrupting or disturbing behaviours

• anxiety

• depression

• self- harming

• substance misuse

• Eating disorders

• Physical symptoms which are medically unexplained (such as tiredness, headaches, body aches, dizziness)

• It is important to remember that we are not medically trained, so we are unable to diagnose any condition- if a parent expresses a concern, they must seek medical advice.

• Children and YP may also have other challenges such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attachment disorder.

NHS England reported in 2017 that 1 in 10 children aged 5-16 have a diagnosable mental health need. The Department of Health (DoH, 2015) report that these needs range from short spells of depression or anxiety, through to persistent/ severe conditions. Severe mental health illness (SMI) is defined as when the condition produces such intense problems that the individual can not function in their day to day life. Schizophrenia and BAD (bipolar affective disorder) are classed as SMIs. The Department of Health and Department for Education recognise that mental health issues vary across ages, gender, ethnicity and sexuality, and adverse childhood experiencs (ACEs) compound mental health issues.

The main indicators of social, emotional and mental health issues:

Younger children:

• Irritability, clinginess, tearful

• Sleep difficulties

• Bed wetting

• Night waking

• Nightmares

Older children:

• Lacking in confidence

• Concentration difficulties

• Sleep problems

• Eating problems

• Negative thoughts

All ages

• May have angry outbursts

• Avoidance of activities

• Reduced attendance at the setting

• Withdrawing from activities and social situations (NHS Scotland, 2017).

Sensory and/ or physical needs

What are sensory and/ or physical needs?

Sensory needs are ones that affect the function of the senses, namely sight (vision impairment/ VI) and hearing (hearing impairment / HI), or multi sensory impairment (MSI) which is a combination of hearing and sight impairment.

Physical needs are any needs that affect the child or YP's ability to access opportunities in the setting. Some examples of physical disabilities which you may encounter in the setting:

• Diabetes- Type 1 diabetes due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin, needed to regulate blood glucose levels. The body's immune system attacks the cells which produce insulin. Indicators of type 1 diabetes include feeling thirsty, passing urine more frequently, tiredness, weight loss, thrush, blurred vision, taking longer to heal.

• Epilepsy- A condition that affects the brain causing seizures or episodes. These can be mild trances to convulsions.

• Foetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD)- The most common, non- genetic cause of learning disability in the UK (FADS network, 2018). FASD causes a range of learning and behavioural difficulties, and if severe can affect physical appearance.

• Sight loss- This can be partial or full. temporary or permanent, congenital (born with) or acquired.

• Hearing loss- the term "deaf" refers to any level of hearing loss, including partial or full loss of hearing (National Deaf Children's Society, 2018). Deafness can occur in one or both ears, and can be a result of injury or illness (including meningitis).

• Deafblindness- Can be congenital (born with), acquired after injury or illness, progressive or permanent.