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
- Alder Hey – Speech and Language Therapy Service for children, young people and adults diagnosed with severe or profound deafness
- TALK Halton Communication Pathways and below are links to their Communication Hub
Neurodevelopmental conditions/specific learning difficulties - ADDvanced Solutions
ADDvanced Solutions Community Network
Commissioned by Halton NHS Clinical Commissioning Group to support the neurodevelopmental pathway.
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
Communication and Interaction Resources and Useful Websites
Managing emotions
- Check in
- Supporting pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition and Social Communication Needs to return to school
Sensory
- Sensory Difficulties
- Sensory Observations
- Short Sensory Profile
- Sensory Circuit Activities
- NAS – Sensory Handbook by Corinna Laurie
Early communication
- Visual Support
- Backward Chaining
- First steps to Communication
- Elklan Child- Adult Interaction
- Means Reasons and Opportunities
- Cause and Effect Resources
- Intensive Interaction Stages 1-7
- Intensive Interaction Observation sheet
- Intensive Interaction Tracker
- Play Levels part 1
- Play Levels part 2
- Games and Activities to Help Develop Attention and Listening
Promoting positive behaviour
Managing transitions and routines
Diagnosis
- ASC-ASD-Social Communication Difficulties Pathway
- Assessment Process ASC-ASD-Social Communication Difficulties
Useful websites