Speech, Language & Communication Needs
To get started with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) it is important to understand the differences between them. Knowledge of these differences and how they impact a child is central to specialist SLCN interventions. Teachers and teaching assistants are less likely to have had training in the area. This short video provides a brief but clear overview of speech and language components.
Impact of SLCN
Reading difficulties - the reading age gap can go from 3 months at age 6 to 5 years by age 14
15% of children with SLCN achieve 5 or more GCSEs at grade C or above
Children with SLCN are more likely to be bullied, feel less able or popular than peers, and at higher risk of mental health difficulties
May exhibit behavioural difficulties designed to mask their underlying difficulties
Teacher Talk
37% of teacher instructions contain multiple meanings and 20% at least one idiom
Have a volunteer time how long you speak to the whole class for in a lesson. You are likely to be shocked!
How do you introduce new vocabulary?
When a child says "yes" when you've asked if he/she understands, how do you know?
Do you assume children understand the 'everyday' words you are using?
Do you ever stop and say "Who can tell me what that word means?"
Classroom Strategies
An excellent checklist of simple classroom strategies
Another checklist, and includes reminders of the difficulties faced by children with SLCN
A great teacher guide to SLCN - page 10 has the suggested strategies
Another good teacher guide to SLCN- page 32 has the suggested strategies
Some more reading if you are interested in this area