Speech and Language
Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are the most common type of special educational need (SEN) in the UK today. You can look at this website to find out more about different types of SLCN
What are SLCN? – SLCo (speech-language-communication-company.uk)
We have prioritised the development of our speech and language provision over the past two years, and are proud of the support we provide and the progress that our children make. We work alongside NHS speech and language therapists, as well as employing our own 'in house' speech therapist who provides blocks of therapy and support on a weekly basis to identified children. Louise Mayhew is in school on a Tuesday morning every week and provides identified children with regular therapy.
Mrs Gambell is currently working on an accreditation through The Balanced System to recognise the quality of our speech and language provision. Our classrooms are communication friendly, and we are promoting the use of Makaton to support the learning of new vocabulary and as a non-verbal communication tool.
If you have any queries or concerns about your child's speech and language development then your first port of call should be your child's teacher or keyperson. You can also ask to speak with Mrs Gambell who is the SENCo for both the Nursery and the main school. She is available Monday - Wednesdays.
Support for Speech and Language
Worried about your child's speech? Here is the Speech and Language UK guide to 'ages and stages' which might be helpful in seeing what 'average' development looks like.
Ages and stages (speechandlanguage.org.uk)
Free Makaton Courses: More Than Words is a charity with a special personal message. They offer free Makaton courses to parents with children who have speech and language needs. They have also provided Bapchild staff with courses and we have a fundraiser planned for them to say thank you!
Home | More Than Words Charity
Stutter and stammering: Lots of children experience a period of stuttering and stammering and it usually resolves within 6 months. Stamma is a charity who works to support children and adults with longer term stammers or stutters. The NHS will also offer free speech therapy for children for whom there is a concern about stuttering, so do speak to your child's teacher or keyperson if you are concerned.
Developmental language disorder (DLD): This is a pretty new diagnosis that means a child has ongoing difficulties with understanding and using language. It is a hidden type of neurodiverse need that you can't tell someone has by looking at them. We have children in our school with DLD diagnoses. This is a website which is in 'child speak' and designed to support children and young people who want to learn more about their diagnosis, but is also useful for generally learning more about DLD.
There is also an organisation called Afasic who supports and provides information and families with children and young adults who have Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) with a focus on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).