The Guilt Trap of Delayed Speech If your toddler is not speaking yet, you have probably spent sleepless nights wondering what you did wrong. You might replay every moment of your pregnancy or worry that you didn’t read enough bedtime stories. This is a heavy burden to carry. It is vital to state this clearly. … Read more
We are in the middle of a busy classroom. It is loud. The lights are humming. A student, let’s call him Sam, is getting red in the face. He is clenching his fists. He is making that low growling noise that every special needs teacher knows. He stomps his foot. He reaches out and shoves … Read more
1:1 TA Non-Verbal SEN Pupils: A Guide to Makaton and PECS For teaching assistants working 1:1 with Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils in mainstream UK schools, few things are as impactful as mastering communication support. Many children with SEN, especially those who are autistic, are designated as having severe learning difficulties, or specific speech and … Read more
6 Signs a Child Needs a New Communication Strategy Help teachers spot when PECS, AAC, or other methods need an update. You know your pupils. You know when something’s off. Maybe a child’s progress stalls, they stop using their communication book or device, or meltdowns return out of nowhere. These aren’t just bad days. They’re … Read more
Embracing Multimodal Communication: Supporting Complex Communication Needs Understanding the broad spectrum of communication methods of our children is essential for effective teaching – especially for those with complex communication needs (CCN). Multimodal communication offers a rich, inclusive approach to communication that combines both unaided and aided modalities, broadening the ways individuals can share their thoughts, … Read more
Understanding Figurative Language and Autism in the Classroom The traditional narrative around autism and figurative language has long focused on perceived deficits. However, recent scholarship, particularly Damian Milton’s double empathy theory, suggests we need a paradigm shift in how we conceptualise these challenges. What if the difficulty lies not solely with autistic individuals, but in … Read more
Connection: A Guide to Functional Communication I’ve witnessed countless breakthrough moments when children discover their voice – whether through words, gestures, or alternative means. One moment stands out vividly: when five-year-old Sophie, who had barely communicated before, used her picture card to request her favourite teddy for the first time. Her mum’s tears of joy … Read more
A Guide to Different Types of AAC and How SLPs Choose the Right One This blog post will examine different types of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss how a speech-language pathologist (SLP) determines the most appropriate AAC approach for a person. What is AAC? Augmentative and alternative communication … Read more
Understanding the Function of Communication When we think about communication, we often focus on spoken language – the daily exchange of words and sentences that fills our lives. However, communication serves far deeper and more varied purposes than simply exchanging information. From a baby’s first cry to a CEO’s keynote speech, from a reassuring touch … Read more
Knowledge Sharing in Schools Using Evolvable Scripts As school leaders in the UK, we face numerous challenges in improving our schools, developing our staff, and managing workloads. This guide introduces the concept of ‘evolvable scripts’ and explores how it can be applied in UK schools to enhance teaching and learning, support staff development, and streamline … Read more
Encouraging Communication with Your Teenager I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges and rewards of maintaining open communication with teenagers. I don’t always get it right and struggle with being met by grumps, eye-rolls and silences. The adolescent years are a critical period of growth and self-discovery, and effective communication during this time can strengthen family bonds … Read more
Schramm’s Model of Communication in Schools Effective communication is the cornerstone of a thriving school environment. For school leaders, mastering communication is not just about conveying information; it is about driving a culture of understanding, collaboration, and a positive work environment. Schramm’s Model of Communication, with emphasis on the dynamic and interactive nature of communication, … Read more
Communicating with School: A Guide for Parents of Children with Special Needs Having a child with special needs like autism or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) means developing a strong partnership with the professionals involved in your child’s care and education. Effective communication is absolutely vital for ensuring your child receives the support and … Read more
How To Enhance Your Child’s Social-Emotional Development As parents, our primary goal is to create an environment where our children can feel safe, supported, and loved. We understand that nurturing their social-emotional development is crucial for their overall well-being and future success. This article will explore the importance of cultivating a sense of safety for … Read more
Using Signing For Communication With Autistic Children One of the common elements of autism is difficulty with communication, including delayed or limited speech, and expressive and receptive language impairments. Many parents of autistic children wonder if teaching their child sign language might help improve their ability to communicate. This comprehensive guide covers everything parents need … Read more
Understanding the Causes: Why Do Children Ask Repetitive Questions? Repetitive questioning is a common challenge faced by many parents of children. It can be common in autistic children or those with communication difficulties. While frustrating for the adult, it is likely more frustrating and distressing for the child. It’s important to understand the potential reasons … Read more
Pre-Verbal Children: What Might Their Behaviour Be Telling Us? I am using the term pre-verbal to encompass pupils who may be described as non-verbal. Any child who does not have a communication system that is easily interpreted by others. Understanding the behaviour, or actions, of pre-verbal children can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for … Read more
Using Immersive Games to Enhance Literacy I was recently talking to our speech therapist about a project I was involved with in 2011. This was with Tim Ryland who has sadly passed away. The Nurturing narrative event was held in partnership with the Kent CAT (Communication and Assistive Technology Team). I looked it up to … Read more
Easter Learning Games and Activities for EYFS/SEND Children Easter learning games and resources are great for use in several SEND-focused activities. I would use this with a wider age range than they are designed for. This raises questions about how age-appropriate each resource and I discuss this issue in this blog. Context in choosing resources … Read more
Why Developing Communication is a Safeguarding Priority it is essential you ensure developing child voice for non-verbal pupils is a top safeguarding priority. You cannot overstate the importance of providing children with opportunities to demonstrate choices throughout their education. In early years education, this is acknowledged through EYFS documents (Early Years Foundation Stage). If you … Read more
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