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Communication and Interaction

Team contact details

Please use the contact details below if you need any help or support with your child’s learning or if you have any other questions.

Stacey Holleran    0151 511 6061    stacey.holleran@halton.gov.uk
Lead for Specialist Teaching Advisory and Autism

 


 

Introduction to Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) encompass all aspects of communication from understanding language, forming sounds, words and sentences to expressing ideas and emotions and using language socially.

SLCN as listed as a primary special educational need accounts for 25.3% of all primary aged pupils in Halton. This is the most common need type recorded.*

SLCN as listed as a pupil’s primary special educational need accounts for 14.1% of all secondary aged pupils in Halton.*

SLCN as a primary special educational need accounts for 11.4% of all pupils placed in special schools in Halton.*

(*National Statistics, January 2015)

A child with SLCN may have a difficulty in one or more of the following areas:

  • Understanding or following what is said
  • Using words or sentences
  • Using speech sounds e.g. saying words clearly
  • Stammering
  • Social interaction Struggle to understand communication
  • Communicating their needs, feelings and ideas to others
  • Understanding and using words in context
  • Reduced vocabulary
  • Recalling words or ideas in different contexts.

Related Terminology

Speech is the verbal manifestation of language. Speech refers to:

  • Sounds used to build up words
  • Processing speech sounds
  • Speaking fluently

Language is a two way system made up of:

  • Receptive language (listening and understanding)
  • Expressive language (speaking)

Language Components

  • Phonology: The discrimination and pronunciation of individual sounds syllables and words necessary for speech.
  • Syntax: The grammatical rules that enable us to understand and combine words into phrases and sentences.
  • Pragmatics: The social use of language and the way people understand and use language appropriately
    Communication is receiving or expressing a message. Language is an important part of communication medium but we also communicate non-verbally.

To communicate effectively you need more than just language.

Semantics: The words, concepts and meanings that we understand and talk about.

Halton's Speech and Language Service

Following consultation across the Partnership, Communicate SLT  became the new Speech and Language Service in Halton from November 2023

Other Specialist Speech and Language providers

Neurodevelopmental conditions/specific learning difficulties - ADDvanced Solutions

Commissioned by Halton NHS Clinical Commissioning Group to support the neurodevelopmental pathway. ADDvanced Solutions Community Network provides parents and carers with learning workshops, learning programmes, information, advice and guidance and open access community network groups. Equipping parents and carers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to better identify and manage the characteristics associated with neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, specific learning difficulties and associated mental health needs. Our learning opportunities are delivered by our team of professionals from health, social care and education, all who have a genuine insight of these conditions because of their own lived experience. We are open access, pre, during and post diagnosis, no referral necessary, just make contact and we will support you to find the answers.

Email: info@addvancedsolutions.co.uk  or Tel: 0151 486 1788

Understanding autism and how you can help

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