How can Chatterbug help you prepare for the upcoming School Year?

 Summer break is a time for teachers to be well-rested and prepare for the year ahead.

With Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) often going undiagnosed until later in life, all classrooms must be inclusive of special education needs. 

There are a variety of ways to do this. From visually engaging communication to recognising the signs of SLCNand providing adequate intervention, Chatterbug is here to walk you through it. 

What is SLCN?

Speech Language and Communication Needs are any additional needs someone may have regarding talking, listening, understanding and communicating with others. 

Difficulties may include:

• Speech sounds
• Language comprehension
• Syntax
• Communication and social skills

The types of SLCN you may encounter include:

• Developmental Language Disorders
• Stammering/Dysfluency
• Selective Mutism
• Autism
• Speech Sound Disorder

How common are SLCN?

Of all children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), 22% have SLCN, with 3.2% as their primary need. SLCN is the most common SEND reported in schools.

1.4 million children and young people in the UK have SLCN, which is around 10% of children. That means 2-3 children in every classroom! 

Its also suspected that many pupils with SLCN go without diagnosis until significantly later in life. They may not receive intervention for most of their schooling career, potentially losing out on many opportunities.

Charlotte (Senior SLT): “The biggest challenge we face is people not understanding the different aspects of SLT. People who hear about speech and language therapy may assume their children or pupils struggle with just the sounds. Speech, language and communication needs cover sounds, language, syntax, and communication and social skills. 

If we can help raise awareness around the different difficulties in SLCN, we are able to provide better, earlier diagnosis and identification.”

What impact can SLCN have?

It’s not just a child or young person’s speech development that can be affected by SLCN. Communication struggles can come with a variety of difficulties. These can be academic, social, emotional, and behavioural.

Late diagnosis can cause a huge gap between a child with SLCN and their peer group. An inability to communicate their needs and requirements or to understand a lesson plan can lead to falling behind in school. These problems can lead to frustration, a lack of confidence and failure to find passion and interests. 

A lack of social skills, narrative telling or imaginative play can also cause difficulties building relationships with others. Without meaningful friendships, a child or young person can live a very isolated life and may rely heavily on family members. Children may then fail to learn independence outside of the family home. 

The impact of lack of academic progress, development of independence and few social relationships can take its toll. Subsequently, people with SLCN often have comorbidities, including depression and anxiety. 81% of children with emotional behaviour disorders have unidentified language difficulties. 

Poor academic achievements can reduce life opportunities and higher rates of unemployment and criminality. As previously mentioned, there is an increased chance of academic failure if a child’s speech, language and communication needs are not being met. 

Within the justice system, young people with SLCN are at a disadvantage. Without the proper language or communication skills to express themselves, police interviews and court hearings can become even more intimidating places. Additionally, their inability to communicate can cause emotional outbursts from frustration, making their case more difficult to argue.

Children with SLCN placed in juvenile centres are more likely to re-offend as they have not received the necessary intervention. These re-offences are most likely an effect of the inability to communicate rehabilitation needs. At least 60% of young offenders have SLCN, but only 8% have it identified.

How can intervention help?

The most important part of intervention is to help bridge the gap between children and young people with SLCN and their peers.

Children are still growing and learning in their school years, which is why early intervention is essential. This flexibility allows speech therapists to use their growing brains and build strategies. 

Intervention can also improve behavioural and emotional regulation too. The child can express when they are overwhelmed through communication methods learnt in therapy.

New communication strategies can also aid the child in class and promote academic success. An inclusive classroom with a communication friendly environment or a teacher able to identify and support SLCN ensures no child is left behind. 

Intervention can help to build not only a child’s language skills but their confidence, too! They can create meaningful relationships through social interaction, using better communication skills. 

All these contribute to building a child’s ability to care for themselves and develop a form of independence. They will not require to rely so heavily on parents, caretakers or teachers for basic needs and companionship.

Renata (Senior SLT): “Intervention is necessary to help clients reach their full communication potential. Intervention helps a child improve their communication skills so they can express their thoughts and ideas and socialise with other children. 

It improves their ability to understand what is said to them and follow directions in class, which can increase a child’s overall confidence. Language and communication impact so many areas of a child’s day-to-day life at school that intervention proves to be a great help for them.”

What services does Chatterbug offer to help SLCN?

At Chatterbug, we aim to ensure that Speech, Language and Communication services are available and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. To do this, we work directly with schools to support families that may otherwise not have access to private support. 

Tript (Senior SLT): “The services we offer at Chatterbug are tailored and unique to any client base, school, parent, child or condition. We get to be super flexible and innovative in our intervention style, ensuring every child gets what they need. Intervention is not a one size fits all!”

We offer a variety of school services:

EHC Assessments

Outline a child’s education, health and care needs. We can then create a plan that caters to these needs.

Telehealth Assessment and Therapy

Online assessment and therapy options so no child misses out.

Coaching and Modelling Sessions

Plan and model therapy sessions that cater to exactly what the child and parents need. This includes working around setting and environment needs.

Intervention First

These sessions are delivered by our highly skilled CALS. Using our in-house tools they are able to screen children and decide on intervention options before SLCN makes a lasting impact!

Autism Assessment Panel

AAP offer a range of assessments and interventions that are specifically aimed at supporting children and young people with social communication needs. We can even offer our Triage Service. Our Triage Assessments are assessments for single or multiple students. Stages include a questionnaire to review potential needs or screenings/assessments. 

You can download our services brochure here.

Training

Want to learn more about making your classroom inclusive for students with SLCN? We also offer training courses that we recommend all teachers, teaching assistants, and SENCOs should take! 

See our range of courses and availability.

Contact us

Do you want to work with Chatterbug and help to build equal opportunities for all your students? Just contact the team on:

Phone: 0113 240 8510 Email: [email protected]

Or fill out the form below: