Speech and Language
Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) is the term used to describe difficulties with:
- producing speech sounds accurately
- stammering
- voice problems, such as hoarseness and loss of voice
- understanding language (making sense of what people say)
- using language (words and sentences)
- interacting with others, for example, difficulties understanding the non-verbal rules of good communication or using language in different ways to question, clarify or describe things.
Everyone with SLCN is different and may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or communication at different times of their lives.
Our school works to support speech, language and communication with support from our NHS link speech and language therapist, Christina Eakins, as well as specialist teachers. Your child may come into contact with Christina within their classroom or around school.
Miss Crockford will have regular meetings with our link therapist to discuss our school’s provision. If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication skills, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance. If we have discussed a specific concern with you about your child’s speech, language or communication, or you have raised a concern, we will decide together whether to discuss this with our link therapist.
Useful websites:
- Speechlink Parent Portal: https://speechandlanguage.info/parents
- Speech and Language UK: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/information-and-support/ - https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/talking-point/parents/resource-library-for-families/
Children’s Therapies: The Pod: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/childrens-therapies-the-pod/speech-and-language-therapy/