Concerns about a child’s speech, language, and communication
Speech, Language & Communication Guidance for Professionals
Some children pick up language easily. Others need more encouragement to notice words and realise the importance of using words to communicate with others. Children with delayed speech, language, and communication skills often catch up though engaging in play and learning with parents and early years practitioners during high quality interactions and experiences. There are however some children that will require additional support through the Speech and Language Therapy service.
Possible reasons to refer to Speech and Language Therapy include if a child:
- Is stammering (dysfluent) or if parents report hearing stammering
- Has difficulty with eating or drinking in terms of chewing and swallowing
- Has a hoarse voice or abnormal voice quality
- Has difficulty understanding simple words and instructions
- Has unclear speech, including difficulties forming age appropriate speech sounds
- Has difficulties putting words in the correct order to form sentences.
What to do if a child already has an identified Speech, Language and Communication (SLC) need
In the first instance, you should liaise with the child’s parents and the Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) if they are already involved. You should have received a report with advice and activities to support the child if they have already had an appointment. Please follow the recommendations given.
If SALT are not yet involved, speak with the child’s parents, your SENCo/Manager and you may wish to speak to the child’s Health Visitor. You need parental consent before you can proceed with a referral and this is given by parents completing and signing the referral form.
You have identified a child who would benefit from further support
The Early identification of a child needing extra support must include the following:
- Discussion with parents
- Observations of the child
- Involvement in a Tiny Talkers Booster Group (if the need concerns attention and listening, understanding, or speaking)
- Your knowledge of child development and language acquisition
- Reference to any EYFS or alternative non-statutory guides the setting is using.
It is important to consider progress or lack of progress – this may be evidenced by your knowledge of the child, and any non-statutory assessment tools that your provision may use.
Don’t forget that at all times you need to follow your settings Inclusion policy and procedures. The child’s key person would be best placed to speak with the SENCo, and then to the parents.
For more information about speech and language development please visit Universally Speaking 0 – 5 (Digital Download Only – link in descriptio – Speech and Language UK Shop
ASQ health development checks and Progress Check at Age 2
ASQ assessments are carried out by health with parents at approximately 9 to 12 months and 27 months. These assessments include assessing children’s communication and language development and are central to early identification of need.
The Progress Check at Age 2 will be completed by your child’s Key Person at their Early Years or Childminder setting. The Progress Check is statutory and will be carried out between the ages of 24 to 36 months. The Progress Check at Age 2 provides a key opportunity for practitioners to:
- Review a child’s development
- Celebrate areas where the child is making good progress
- Identify any areas of concern or where progress is not as expected so that appropriate support can be put in place
- Help parents understand their child’s needs and enhance their child’s development at home
- Invite parent’s to share their unique knowledge of their child, family, and culture.
A key purpose of the Progress Check at Age 2 is partnership with parents, working on the basis that so much more can be achieved when working together. A second key purpose of the check is early identification of need, and the impact early intervention can have on later outcomes. We know children grow and develop rapidly in the early years, and that the first five years are the most important for health and happiness in adult hood, therefore progress needs to be monitored and checked and action taken to mitigate any areas of delay or need.
Referrals
If you have completed a programme of the Tiny Talkers Booster Group Intervention and tried the range of support strategies shared on Tiny Talkers and you still have concerns about the child’s progress, you should consider referring into the Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for more targeted support.
With parental consent you could contact SALT who will provide information regarding current referral procedures. They can be contacted via:
Telephone – 01709 423230