Parents and carers Archives - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

On average 2 students in every class of 30 have a neurodevelopmental condition called Developmental Language Disorder or DLD. Students with DLD can succeed at school when they are identified and access the right support. But first they need our help. From Raising Awareness of Developmental Language...

You can use symbols flexibly with your child at home to: make schedules to explain what is happening now and next explain daily routines provide choices support them to communicate their wishes Download: Symbols for Home Schedules It can be hard for children to be out of their usual routine. Using...

Activities for children, young people and their families developed by Dr Lauren Powell at the University of Sheffield. This is a booklet where your child can learn more about autism. Your child can complete it on their own or with a grown-up. This resource has been developed for autistic children...

A list of useful websites for parents and carers of children and young people in specialist schools. Website Age range What is offers Speech and Language UK 0-19 years Learn about some of the common features of speech and language challenges Find out what is typical for babies, children and young...

What should I expect from the sensory service? Our service is tiered into 3 levels of provision to try to help us get the right support to as many families as possible. Universal provision This is the first level of provision for all families. Our virtual therapy service provides information about...

This video explains and demonstrates how to use a communication mat with your child in an everyday activity such as gardening. Download: Gardening Sentence Maker Communication Mat Download: Gardening Shape Coding Communication Mat

There are so many language skills your child can learn through baking together whilst having fun at the same time. 1. Teach new words Your child will have the opportunity to learn new words whilst you are baking. Remember to teach different types of words: object words (nouns) – start 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...

Resources for children and young people with DLD and their families. DLD summary RADLD  Raising Awareness of of Developmental Language Disorder Speech and Language UK has lots of information for parents who have concerns about their child’s speech, language and communication skills. DLD and Me is...

Children with Down’s syndrome are strong visual learners. Using visual strategies such as Makaton signs and pictures to teach vocabulary can really help as they make language more visual. This enables children to overcome difficulties they may have learning language from just listening....

Every person with Down’s syndrome is an individual, with their own unique personality, strengths and differences. This page is about some of the characteristics which many people with Down’s syndrome have in common. People with Down’s syndrome can continue to make progress with...

What are signs and gestures? Signs and gestures are when you give extra information to the words you say by using actions with your hands or body- like when you wave bye. Why use signs and gestures? Using signs and gestures helps children to understand words. Children can use signs and gestures...

Welcome to Talking Toddlers! Talking Toddlers is a fun group for you and your child. We will show you how to support your child’s language development and practice this in group sessions. Language difficulties are nobody’s fault, but changing the way you talk can really help your child. Some...

Why use Makaton? Research has shown that signs and gestures are easier to learn than spoken words. Helping your child to learn some signs can stop them getting frustrated before they are able to talk. Signing can help promote verbal stimulation. The hand movement part of the brain is very close to...

How can we support you? We can help you identify the stage your child is at with their understanding of language and their early communication skills. Give you tips and ideas of how you can talk and play with your child to support the development of their speech, language and communication. Since...

What does saliva do? Saliva (spit) helps us to: clean our mouths taste food and drink get food ready for swallowing and digesting Why does my child drool? Young children and some older children may drool a lot. They do not start to control drooling until they can: keep their head upright keep their...

Introducing speech sound activities in play from 1 year old can help children progress with their speech. This can be done through play and having fun with speech sounds! Here are some ideas for fun activities which can help speech sound development. Sound cards Your speech and language therapist...

Your child is now ready to practice saying their target sounds in words. Here are some ideas for games and activities you can play while working with your child at home. Your speech and language therapist will provide you with the picture cards. Games involving toys Choose a toy that your child...

Listening to sounds Learning to listen and sort speech sounds is helpful for children who find listening or saying sounds hard. It is important that your child is able to hear the difference between sounds. It will help them to know when to use the sounds in which words. In speech and language...

Why do some children struggle to move on to lumpy food? There are a number of reasons why children struggle to accept lumpy or textured food. These include: Development This means they are just not ready. Children need to be offered food which is appropriate for their level of general development....

Saying or signing ‘more’ allows your child to use their words to ask for things they want. You can say or sign ‘more’ in lots of different situations. For example, with food, toys or peekaboo. Top Tips

Strategies to support unclear speech You can try some of the following strategies to help children who are producing most or all of their speech sounds as expected but whose conversational speech is unclear or hard to understand. These children may be speaking too quietly or too fast. They may leave...

Ready, steady, go games: Play with cars down a ramp Bubbles A tickling game Remember to pause before you say go to see if your child says ‘go’ or reaches or looks at you to ask for more. Enjoy playing this game with your child. If your child gets bored, stop and try again another…...

This resource page has been produced in a multi-disciplinary working project between Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology at Ryegate Children’s Centre. Background Children with developmental difficulties (such as Autism) often have problems with eating. Research has...