Communication support framework and universal strategies

What is the communication support framework?

The communication support framework is a framework developed by the speech and language therapy service in Sheffield Children’s Hospital. It is based on the Communication At The Heart of the School framework (CATHS).

The communication support framework includes 6 banded levels that describe the communication skills that a child may have or be developing, and relevant recommendations for that level of development.

What are universal strategies?

Universal language strategies are ways that all adults can adapt their own language when talking so that children are exposed to good quality language modelling. This will help children to develop their language to reach their full potential.

Parents or carer should use the strategies below to support your child’s needs.

Teachers can use these strategies in the classroom.

What do band 1 to 3 communication levels mean?

A child developing their language between band 1 to 3 is developing their skills to describe and talk about what they can see in the ‘here and now’.

Band 1

A child at band 1 presents with the communication skills typical of a a child aged 0 to 12 month old. At this age, a child’s understanding of language is very much based on familiarity, routines and other cues.

Band 2

A child at band 2 presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 12 to 18 month old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to label and request things they can see in their environment using mostly single words, for example, ‘doggy’, ‘bye-bye’, ‘more’, ‘no’. Some children may start using whole phrases that they have learned as a ‘chunk’ such as “here you go”.

Band 3

A child at band 3 presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 18 month old to 2 years old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to label, request and describe things they can see in their environment. Early grammar skills are also beginning to emerge.

How can I help my child at levels 1 to 3?

The universal strategies below support all children at this developmental level.

• Use language that labels vocabulary and describes what a child can see in the ‘here and now’.
• Teach vocabulary through sharing books
• See advice from BBC Tiny Happy People 0 to 24 months
• Schools should provide a whole class approach to supporting emotional regulation and recognising and describing bodily experiences (known as ‘interoception’) Zones of Regulation

What do band 4 to 6 communication levels mean?

A child developing their language between band 4 to 6 is developing their skills to talk about their environment and experiences using prediction and increasingly complex problem solving.

Band 4

A child at band 4 communication presents with the communication skills typical of a 3 year old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to describe their environment and their experiences. Early prediction skills are beginning to emerge.

Band 5

A child at band 5 communication presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 4 to 8 years old. Children at this stage are refining their ability to describe their environment and their experiences. Prediction and problem solving or reasoning skills are developing.

Band 6

A child at band 6 communication presents with the communication skills typical of children over 9 years old. Children at this stage are refining their ability to describe their environment and their experiences with increasingly complex grammar structures and vocabulary. Prediction and problem solving and reasoning skills (including thinking about problems from multiple perspectives) are developing and being refined.

How can I help my child my child at levels 4 to 6?

The universal strategies support all children at this developmental level.

• Use strategies that teach vocabulary
• Use strategies that support recall and prediction skills
• Use strategies that support problem solving skills
• Support your child to monitor their own comprehension
• Support your child to learn planning and organisation
• Schools should provide a whole class approach to supporting emotional regulation and recognising and describing bodily experiences (known as ‘interoception’) Zones of Regulation