Resource Library

Some children use phrases that seem out of context, but they might be using it to show a link between something. If we can do ‘the detective work’, and find out where a phrase has come from, it can help us understand what a child means. Gestalt are connected to emotion or an experience...

Here are some strategies that we can use for all gestalt language processors (GLPs). You can use for them for GLP children at any stage. Affirm what your child is saying, even if you do not understand Some children might use a string of language that we cannot understand, but that seems to mean...

What is gestalt language processing? There are 2 ways that children can learn language. These are analytic language processing (ALP) and gestalt language processing (GLP). Some children use a mix of both types of language learning. We call the chunks of language that children learn “gestalts”,...

How can we help children to learn more gestalts? We can support children who are gestalt language processors (GLPs) by modelling phrases. We can do this during play and everyday activities together. To increase the number of scripts a child knows, adults should: Model phrases that are functional....

Please read all the information below before you reduce the thickener in your child’s drinks at home. Thickening drinks is a common strategy for supporting children who have feeding problems. Many children can tolerate having less thickener in their drinks over time, when it is safe to do so. Your...

What does positive mealtimes mean? It is important for mealtimes and snack times to be a positive experience for everyone. Your child will start to learn that food times are not stressful times if they remain predictably positive. It can be helpful to think about your child as a whole: What sort of...

What is messy food play? Messy food play is a way of supporting children to explore different smells or tastes through play. The focus is on exploring food in a positive way, offering your child some control around food and having opportunities to explore food without pressure. It is important to...

Why does my child struggle to chew? Children may have difficulties with chewing for 2 reasons. It may be developmental, and they are just not ready. Children need to be offered food which is appropriate for their level of general development. This might not be the same as their actual age. It may be...

Your Speech and Language Therapist will provide you with the right speech sound pack for your child. You can work through the activities at home to help your child practise their speech sounds. Each pack will focus on saying one sound at a time in a specific position of the word such as beginning,...

Why do we use a Doidy or flexi cup? When children drink from a cup they have to learn lots of new things such as: how to move liquid from the front to the back of their mouth how much to tip the cup how much liquid is enough but not too much Doidy cups… Continue Reading Doidy cups and flexi...

This series of videos explains why we use shapes and colours to support children’s spoken language and literacy development in the Speech and Language Therapy Service in Sheffield. The videos below demonstrate how to use the Sheffield shapes and colours system and have been created by Jaime...

Information for Parents and Carers Who are we? We are a team of Speech and Language Therapists and Assistants who see children and young people in specialist schools and integrated resources (IRs). What do we do? We help children and young people with: Speech, language and communication needs...

Background From September 2023, children and young people will access the Speech and Language Therapy Service through episodes of care. This means they will be open to us when they need specific support, but closed during times when their needs can be met by the support in place in school and at...

A training video that outlines the role of everyone who is involved in ensuring safe, nutritive, and quality mealtimes for children and young people. This advice is for teaching staff in specialist provision – specialist schools and integrated resources. Delivered by Sally Twigg (Speech and...

A training video that will help to familiarise you with the written feeding plan, known as a mealtime mat. Delivered by Rachel Ward (Speech and Language Therapist) Time: 2:30

A training video that explains the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative) levels and uses practical examples of how you can ensure foods and liquids are the correct texture. Delivered by Larissa Naylor and Rachel Nunn (Speech and Language Therapist) Time: 34:00 IDDSI Level 0...

This training video covers the areas we need to consider at mealtimes to support children and young people with eating and drinking difficulties. Delivered by Larissa Naylor and Rachel Nunn (Speech and Language Therapists) Time: 11:43

A training video that will increase your awareness of the red flags to look out for whilst you are supporting children and young people at their mealtimes. Delivered by Rachel Ward (Speech and Language Therapist) Time: 2:47

A series of training videos developed by the Speech and Language Therapy Feeding Team. Video 1. An introduction on why we work on eating and drinking skills An introductory training video on how to ensure safe eating and drinking skills, adequate nutrition and quality mealtimes for children and...

An introductory training video on why we work on eating and drinking skills. Delivered by Rachel Nunn (Speech and Language Therapist) Time: 3:55

A training video that will give you an understanding of the anatomy of the head and neck, what is involved in a swallow, and what can go wrong at each stage of the swallow. Delivered by Rosa Holden (Speech and Language Therapist) Time: 12:07

What are Blank Levels? Your child needs support to develop the ability to re-tell an event or narrative. They need to develop the ability to identify what a character or person is thinking and feeling and use their understanding of what has just happened to predict what will happen. They need to be...

What are Blank Levels? Your child or young person needs support to develop the ability to reason beyond what is seen heard or said. They need to develop the ability to draw on past experiences, make parallels, examine cause and likely effects as well as justify the decision made, for example, infer,...

A full list of resources under the Speech and Language Therapy section on the Sheffield Children’s Resource Library: S&LT Resource Library Directory 2024 A 9 minute video that demonstrates how to share, download, save, and translate resources into another language on the Resource Library....