Enabling children and young people to communicate

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 communicate.

Allow for processing time

Allow longer processing time. This applies to all communication, whether presented orally or through
visual methods such as symbols.

Use language at their level

Help them to understand by using language that is at their level of understanding. Be aware when using idioms and implied meaning, jokes, sarcasm and figures of speech.

Use scaffolding of language

Support the child or young person to respond at their communication level. For example, if a child or young person is able to use language at a 2 key word level, but just nods, or gives one word answers, allow them time, model and visually support them.

Give them a reason to communicate

Make sure they have a reason to communicate, for example, the ball is out of reach.

Use visual support

Provide visual support for them to use to request, comment and learn topic vocabulary.

Give them a means to communicate

Make sure they have a means to communicate. This should always be available and its use encouraged.

Contact us

For more information please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Service at Flockton House on 0114 226 2333.

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Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

Speech and Language Therapy Children, parents and carers Strategies Article

Resource number: SL86

Resource Type: Article

Enabling children and young people to communicate

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