Resource Library

Parenting a young person with a learning disability can be both rewarding and challenging. All parents and carers will go through periods where things feel hard to manage. If your child has a learning disability, this can add further complexity to parenting for several reasons, including issues with...

What are Speech, Language and Communication Needs? Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) is a broad umbrella category and label which applies to people with any type of communication difficulty or communication vulnerability. What is a language disorder? A language disorder is a diagnosis...

What does having a learning disability mean? A learning disability is an overall impairment of intellectual ability causing difficulty with learning and everyday activities. It affects someone for their whole life. To diagnose a learning disability professionals need to show: impaired intelligence,...

Ryegate communications clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team. This is the best way to get to know your child well. How the process works Initial appointment Your child will be seen by a doctor specialising in social communication difficulties. The doctor will send you a letter about what...

A training module on visually supporting communication for older children and young people. Time: 14 minutes. This training module refers to the following strategy sheet: Visually supporting communication for older children and young people  

A training module on supporting communication in emotionally dysregulated children and young people. Time: 16 minutes This training module refers to this resource page: Supporting communication in emotionally dysregulated children and young people

A training module on talking about behaviour with a child or young person with communication difficulties. Time: 10 minutes This training module refers to the following resource page: Talking about behaviour with a young person with communication difficulties

A training module on running commentary and social coaching. Time: 10 minutes This training module refers to the following strategy sheet: Running commentary and social coaching

A training module on social stories and power cards. Time: 8 minutes This training module refers to the following strategies: Social stories Power cards

A training module on making things predictable to support communication. Time: 15 minutes This training module refers to the following strategy sheet: Making things predictable to support communication

A training module on how to develop your child’s ability to talk about, understand and manage feelings with a focus on emotion modelling. Time: 8 minutes This training module refers to the following resource page: Developing your child’s ability to talk about, understand and manage...

A training module on strategies to help with demand avoidance at home and school. Time: 13 minutes This training module refers to the following strategy sheets: Strategies to help with demand avoidance at home Strategies to help with demand avoidance in the classroom

A training module on how to use drawing alongside conversation and comic strip conversations. Time: 14 minutes This training module refers to the following strategy sheets: Drawing alongside talking and comic strip conversations Visually supporting communication for older children and young people

The core training modules as part of the Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) series. Mind Your Words It is recommended you complete modules 1-5 of the ‘Mind Your Words’ RCSLT e-learning course before watching the 4 core SEMH training modules below. Mind Your Words Module 1-...

Here are some ways you can enable children and young people to communicate. Minimise distractions Make sure they are in a calm alert state and minimise sound and visual distractions. Give them time to communicate Provide enjoyable experiences to communicate about with willing partners and time to...

Sleep resources The Sleep Charity has a phone line service that provide advice and support around difficulties sleeping. They offer a free helpline that is part of their extensive services, open 7pm to 9pm, between Sunday and Thursday. Sheffield Children’s paediatric sleep disorders nursing team...

What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Young people with autism have difficulties with social situations, communication and certain behaviours like routines, rituals, or obsessions. As part of an autism assessment, we also look at sensory sensitivities (such as being sensitive to noise, touch or...

What is puberty? Everybody experiences puberty as part of growing up, and it can be a difficult time for young people and their families whether they have autism or not. There is no fixed age for puberty to start, however it usually takes place between the age of 8 and 13 years old. Puberty...

What is puberty? Everybody experiences puberty as part of growing up, and it can be a difficult time for young people and their families whether they have a learning disability or not. There is no fixed age for puberty to start, however it usually takes place between the age of 8 and 13 years...

Learning disabilities and autism can be easily confused. Some children are diagnosed with just one of the conditions. Some children have both a learning disability and autism. What is a learning disability? A learning disability is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s ability to learn new...

Starting secondary school The transition from primary into secondary school needs to be planned and well managed. It is advisable to arrange a meeting, well in advance of the pupil changing school so that the key people involved in the pupil’s education can meet their and parents and carers, and...

What is demand avoidance? This term refers to a set of behaviours which include: opting out refusal to comply avoiding instructions, requests or demands either directly or indirectly These behaviours can be frustrating and puzzling for others to understand. Sometimes those around the young person...