Some children and young people have difficulty communicating with others. They may find it hard to say what they want, or to understand what’s being said to them. They may also experience differences in the way they interact with others, and the world around them. This can include children and young people with a diagnosis of autism and those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Every child or young person’s needs are unique to them. They may experience difficulty with one or more types of speech, language or social communication challenges, and these may change over time.
Support in schools
We’ve produced guidance for schools about the support that should be available to all children and young people to help them thrive in school, regardless of whether they have any specific needs. This is known as ‘Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision‘ (OAIP).
We’ve created additional guidance for schools on supporting children and young people with SEND. This is called the ‘Targeted Support Framework‘.
Information for parents
The Targeted Support Framework also includes links to resources for parents if their child or young person has difficulties in any of these areas.
We’ve created this summary page to explain more about different areas of communication and interaction needs, with links to resources that parents may find useful.
Areas of communication and interaction needs
Attention and listening
Attention and listening relates to the early stages in the development of being able to listen and focus on specific tasks or sounds, and transfer attention from one thing to another. These skills are essential for understanding information, following instructions, completing tasks, participating in discussions and communicating with others.
Resources for parents
Flexibility of thought
Flexibility of thought is the ability to adapt your thinking to new, changing or unexpected events. It involves being able to think about things in new or different ways and accept changes to familiar routines.
Resources for parents
- Helping Kids With Flexible Thinking | Child Mind Institute
- Information leaflets regarding transitions, for parents from Early Years to 16 years | Autism Education Trust
- Helpful approaches for parents and carers | PDA Society
- What is autism? | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parental Minds
Sensory processing and integration
Sensory processing and integration is the ability to make sense of the sensory signals from the body and the environment, and responding appropriately.
Resources for parents
- Occupational Therapy workshops | Children and Family Health Devon
- Quick read info and video on Autism and Sensory Processing | Children and Family Health Devon
- Understanding sensory behaviour
- Sensory Processing: A guide for parents
- Easy sensory activities
- Sensory Help Now
- Parental Minds
Receptive language
Receptive language is the ability to understand and comprehend the language we hear or read.
Resources for parents
- Progress checkers for parents: Signs and symptoms | Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
- Parent workshop: Simplify language and support understanding | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parent workshop on visuals: Using visuals to support communication | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parents | DLD and Me
- What is DLD? | DLD and Me
- Afasic – Guides for Parents
Expressive language
Expressive language means the ability to express oneself – showing what it is that you want, being able to make choices, asking and answering questions.
Children and young people with expressive language difficulties can be talkative. It is important to explore the content of their language.
Resources for parents
- Signs and symptoms | Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
- Parent workshop on visuals: Using visuals to support communication | Children and Family Health Devon
Speech clarity
Speech clarity is how easily and accurately spoken words can be understood by a listener. It includes pronunciation, pace, volume, intonation and enunciation.
Resources for parents
- Parent hand-out: Speech | Afasic
- What age do speech sounds develop? | BBC Tiny Happy People
- Speech development series | Children and Family Health Devon
Selective mutism
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain situations but can speak in other situations.
Resources for parents
- Selective mutism: information for parents and carers | Children and Family Health Devon
Dysfluency (stammering)
Dysfluency, also known as stammering, is a difficulty in producing smooth, fluent speech.
Social communication
Social communication is the use of verbal and non-verbal language to interact with others, including body language, tone of voice, conversational skills, social conventions and emotional intelligence.
Resources for parents