Communication is a core part of socialisation and can be incredibly stressful for young people who face challenges with their speech.
That is why we work with young people in our care to ensure that they can effectively communicate regardless of what challenges they may face with speech.
Why is speech and communication support so important?
Some communication challenges can be innate, while others may be the result of adverse experiences in the life of a child or young person.
As such, it is imperative that we understand the needs and requirements of the individual in our care so that we can better accommodate their needs and present realistic goals for helping them communicate.
This means that we start by meeting the child where they are and not making them feel guilty or incompetent for struggling with communication.
If they prefer gestures, pictures or short phrases, we meet them there and build from that point.
Pushing for long answers or insisting on traditional verbal communication too soon usually shuts things down, whereas offering a choice, a visual, or a single word gives children a way to join in without pressure.
Once a child discovers that they can be understood, they begin to gain the confidence needed to take further steps.
Pictures, symbols and short written prompts take a lot of weight off working memory.
A simple card showing “snack/play/quiet time” helps a child follow a routine without needing to process a long sentence.
For conversations, a choice board or emotion chart gives children words they might not have on hand yet, so they can point or nod instead of struggling to invent a sentence in the moment.
How do we support speech and communication for young people?
Many children do well when they know what to expect.
We practise short, useful scripts for everyday moments, such as greeting a friend, asking for help or conveying emotions.
By using low-stakes role-play, the child can get used to the cadence of conversation while still having the safety and comfort of familiar structures.
We also ensure that children are given the time and space to consider responses without being pressured.
By asking a short question and then waiting for a response, we have found that children begin to relax and feel better able to approach communication.
For some children, fluent speech will never be a feasible option.
In those cases, symbols, apps or simple voice-output devices are easier than spoken language.
We work with Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) to select tools that match a child’s needs and then practise them in real situations.
We believe in fully supporting the children and young people in our care so that they can have the best possible start to life.
Communication is a vital part of that, so we endeavour to give everyone a means to have a voice.
If you want further support and guidance, then speak to our team today!
