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Does not make eye contact with the teacher

Not able to follow directions.

Cannot listen well or for long periods of time

Does not talk/cannot not to adults or peers/delayed speech

Easily distracted

Has not made friends

Plays alone

Does not respond when called

Learning or recognizing letters or numbers

Repetitive actions

Sensitive to noises or touch

Difficult controlling impulses

Trouble remembering words

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With the help of the learning support specialist, we would meet to talk about the child and discuss which area of need the child falls under.

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Once we have diagnosed the problem we are able to come up with the best IEP suitable for the child.

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Identify & support speech, language & communication needs

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A language need refers to requiring assistance in speech, language, and communication skills. This can manifest as difficulties with conversation, vocabulary, and sentence structure, as well as understanding gestures and facial expressions.

Some examples of language needs are:

Understanding oral communication

Not able to follow and understand stories

Trouble with attention and listening

Social interaction difficulties

Difficult behavior

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Language, and the ability to communicate with others, is one of life's most important skills. The ability to understand language is also essential to the cognitive and emotional development of children, so it's crucial that when working with children you can identify and support those complex needs. Continue reading to find out more about identifying and supporting speech and language communication needs (SLCN).
What are speech, language and communication needs?

SLCN is a term used to describe children who don't have fully developed speech, language and communication .

Speech refers to spoken words. A child without speech difficulties will be able to speak without hesitating, and use a clear voice.

A child with language difficulties will struggle to join words together into sentences and conversations, making it hard to converse with other people. This may result in children becoming frustrated as they cannot explain what they want and potentially not get their needs met.

Finally, communication refers to how children interact with others. This involves how they use language and gestures within their speech, and can make it difficult to hold a conversation. Struggling with communication also provides difficulties when trying to understand somebody else's point of view and how they use facial expressions.

Identifying speech, language and communication needs in children

Any adult who works with children, whether that's in a care environment or an educational setting, should always be on the lookout for signs of SLCN and other conditions. Here are a list of some signs that a child could be having difficulties with their speech, language and communication needs.

Struggling to understand spoken language

Struggling to follow stories

Poor attention and listening skills

Difficulties with social interaction

Frustration

Struggling to understand spoken language

Some children can have problems with understanding spoken language, including the meaning of words. This can include struggling to follow basic instructions during a game or a lesson and the child can find it hard to understand what is being asked of them. This is a sign of a child that may have difficulty with their speech, language and communication needs.

Struggling to follow stories

Another sign of SLCN in children is difficulty following a story. Some children may struggle to recount details of a story, either from a book or detailing incidents that are happening during their day.

By the age of five, children should be able to describe things in longer sentences. If you're a person of responsibility, like a teacher, and notice a child struggling to recount events, it could be a sign of SLCN.

Difficult behaviour

Behavioural issues have been linked to children with communication issues. Children of all ages with language difficulties can often display behaviours of concern.

Poor attention and listening skills

Another sign of SLCN in children is a poor attention span and difficulty listening to others. Their hearing could be absolutely fine but they have trouble following a conversation and listening to instructions.

Difficulties with social interaction

Social skills can also be affected by SLCN in children. This includes their ability to form relationships with other children, have conversations and join in with play activities.

How to support a child with speech, language and communication needs

If you've noticed a child in your classroom struggling with their speech and language, there are a handful of steps you can take to make their day-to-day easier, helping them understand speech and language and improve their communication skills.

Make your lesson more visual - Use signs and images alongside speech and wording to make things easier to understand. The child can associate the images with the words being spoken, which can ease their understanding.

Break information into smaller chunks - Too much information at once can be very hard to understand for a child with SLCN. Try to break things into smaller chunks and at a slower pace.

Pre-tutor the child - Give the child one-to-one opportunities to learn, giving them a greater chance of improving their understanding.

Give instructions in a logical sequence - Any instructions given during a game or a task should be given in sequential order. A step-by-step guide on how to perform a certain task can help the child with their understanding.

Give the child plenty of time to think and reply - The final step you can add to your daily routine is to give the child more time to comprehend instructions and stories. This extra time allows the child to feel a part of a classroom conversation.

Support at Seashell

Seashell is a charity dedicated to providing a creative, happy and secure environment for children and young people with complex needs and additional speech, language and communication needs from across the UK.

We are committed to delivering individually tailored support services that promote independence and build confidence. We deliver this through the programmes of education we offer through our and college and residential care we provide for children in our care homes. The work we do beyond our own facilities supports this approach and the specially tailored support services we offer to the children and young people we work with.

If you'd like to know more about Seashell and , today on 0161 610 0100 or email us at info@seashelltrust.org.uk.

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Identify & support speech, language & communication needs

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Learn how to identify and support a child with speech, language and communication needs with this guide from Seashell, including ways to help in the classroom.

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Learning Disabilities In Children - Causes and Remedies

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A learning disability is a neurological-based disorder that may require assistance in various areas of learning, including:
- Oral language
- Reading
- Writing
- Math

Some examples of learning disabilities are:

Auditory processing disorder- related to sound comprehension.

Dyslexia- reading, writing, and language skills.

Language processing disorder- ability to comprehend language.

Dysgraphia- ability to write.

Non-verbal learning disabilities- cannot understand non-verbal cues.

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Learning Disabilities In Children - Causes and Remedies

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Here is an example of my school’s survey questions teachers have to fill out for a learning support referral.

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After the teacher has identified and observed some learning behaviors in the classroom, they will fill out a survey of the students and observations for the learning support team. Once reviewed by a learning support specialist, they will set up times to observe the child. This will be in the classroom, playground and lunch time to get a well rounded view how the child acts in different settings.

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After the learning support specialist finishes her observations, we schedule a meeting with the parents. During this meeting, we address our concerns about the student and collect more information from their caregivers. It is important to ask questions and understand what the child’s home like is.

Some examples could be:

Are they showing any of these signs at home?

Do they have siblings? Parents still together? Nannies?

Do you have a daily routine at home?

Do they follow rules or directions given to them?

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Your chances of knowing someone with learning disabilities are very good. Did you know?

Children with learning disabilities begin school expecting to learn and be successful. If your child is having difficulty in school, she may learn differently from other kids. Parents are often the first to notice that "something doesn't seem right." But sometimes knowing what to do and where to find help can be confusing.

Children grow up to be adults and unfortunately learning disabilities cannot be cured or fixed; it's a life long issue. And some individuals don't realize they have learning disabilities until they are adults. With the right support and interventions, however, children and adults with learning disabilities can succeed in school and life. Recognizing, accepting and understanding your learning disability are the first steps to success.

Defining Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors that alter brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more cognitive processes related to learning. The majority of children K-12 who receive special education are served under the specific learning disability (SLD) category. Approximately 80% of those children have an SLD in reading.

Learning disabilities range in severity and may interfere with the acquisition and development of one or more of the following:

oral language (e.g., listening, speaking, understanding);

reading (e.g., phonetic knowledge, decoding, reading fluency, word recognition, and comprehension);

written language (e.g., spelling, writing fluency, and written expression); and

mathematics (e.g., number sense, computation, math fact fluency, and problem solving).

Learning disabilities often run in families. They should not be confused with other disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism, deafness, blindness, and behavioral disorders. None of these conditions are learning disabilities. Because learning disabilities cannot be seen, they often go undetected. Recognizing a learning disability is even more difficult because the severity and characteristics vary. Learn more about what a learning disability is here.

Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.

Most importantly, if you suspect you or your child has a learning problem, don't delay in seeking help and taking action!

Learning Disabilities

Related Disorders

Don't Delay

If you suspect that your child's learning difficulties may require special assistance, please do not delay in finding information and support. The sooner you move forward the better your child's chances for reaching his full potential.

Maybe you have wondered if you are overreacting, or if the situation will work itself out over time. The truth is, you know your child better than anybody else. And regardless of who may tell you that it's a "phase" or "nothing to worry about," only you know how much your child dreads Monday morning. You have watched the impact of his daily struggles on his self-confidence. Deep down, you know something isn't right.

The good news is there are things you can do. In fact, the only "wrong" thing to do is to do nothing. If you wait to seek help for your child, frustration and a sense of failure will continue to erode your child's self-esteem, while the window of time for meaningful intervention narrows.

Since you are one of the best observers of your child's development, you will be able to recognize potential problems early. But, in order to spot problems early, you'll need to know the warning signs!

Seeing the Signs

There may be a number of reasons why your child is having a hard time. But what you are seeing could also indicate a learning disability. This does not mean your child is "slow" or less intelligent than your child's peers. Their brain is simply wired differently for learning and your child needs to adapt strategies that make the most of your child's abilities. The earliest possible intervention is critical to your child's success in school.

Learn to recognize the signs of a potential learning disability. If you have observed several of these signs in your child, consider the possibility of a learning disability.

It is normal for parents to observe one of these signs in their children from time to time. But if your child consistently exhibits several of these signs, it is important for you to take action to get him the help that he needs.

Pre-School
Have you noticed that your child has:

pronunciation problems?

difficulty finding the right word?

difficulty making rhymes?

trouble learning numbers, alphabet, days of the week, colors and shapes?

trouble concentrating?

trouble interacting with peers?

difficulty following directions or learning routines?

difficulty controlling pencil, crayons, scissors?

Grades K-4
Does your child:

have trouble learning the connection between letters and sounds?

confuse basic words? (run, eat, want)

make consistent reading and spelling errors including letter reversals (b/d, inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), and substitutions (house/home)?

experience difficulty learning basic math concepts?

have trouble learning about time?

take a long time to learn new skills?

have trouble remembering facts?

Grades 5-8
Is your child having difficulty:

with reading comprehension or math skills?

with letter sequences? (soiled for solid, left for felt)

with prefixes, suffixes, root words and other spelling strategies?

organizing his/her bedroom, notebook, papers, and desk?

keeping up with papers or assignments?

with handwriting?

with time management?

understanding oral discussions and expressing thoughts aloud?

High School and Adults
Is your child having difficulty:

spelling the same word differently in a single document.

taking on reading or writing tasks.

with open-ended questions on tests.

with memory skills.

adapting skills from one setting to another.

with a slow work pace.

grasping abstract concepts.

focusing on details.

misreading information

It is never too early to seek help for your child, but waiting too long could be very harmful. If you see several of these signs over a period of time, consider the possibility of a learning disability. Knowing what a difference early help can make will help you lose your fear and take the next steps to getting help for your child!

Losing the Fear

It can be hard to acknowledge that your child is having difficulty in school let alone a potential learning disability. Perhaps you have worried that by calling attention to your child's learning problems he might be labeled "slow" or a "discipline problem," or sent to the wrong class.

What many parents and their children don't realize is that most kids with learning disabilities are just as intelligent as their peers. Their brains are simply wired differently for learning. They need to be taught in ways that are best adapted to how they process information.

And, scientists and researchers are learning more every day about learning disabilities. Their research provides hope and direction. From research we now know that:

Receiving help in the early grades greatly improves the chances for these kids to adapt learning strategies that will enable them to succeed in school. Among children who struggle with basic reading and language skills the most common learning problems 75% of those who do not receive help until the third grade will struggle with reading throughout their lives. But if those same kids receive appropriate help by the first grade, fully 90% of them will achieve normal reading ability.

By identifying what is causing your child's learning problems, you are one step closer to getting the help you both need. Your child can still have hope for a wonderful future if given the proper tools and learning strategies.

Getting Help

Though the process of getting help may seem overwhelming, finding support for your child and for yourself is easier than you might think. In most cases, talking with your child's teacher should be the first step.

Share your concerns with your child's teacher and ask about her observations of your child's performance, interactions with his peers, etc. Together you may come up with strategies to try in the classroom and at home to support your child's learning needs.

Most teachers want to help and will work with you to try and meet your child's learning needs. If you feel it may be necessary, your child's teacher can also help to arrange a full evaluation of how well your child is performing in school.

Also, be sure your child has had a thorough physical examination by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to assure that there are no major health problems that might be interfering with learning. Be especially certain to have eyes and ears checked for correctable vision and hearing problems.

Useful tips when meeting with your child's teacher

Write down any questions you have before entering the meeting. These questions should be geared toward gaining greater understanding of your child's problems and how to address them in the school setting.

Review records of previous conferences and educational decisions before attending conferences and be prepared to share them with school personnel.

Be ready to share your observations about your child's academic progress. Listen well and participate in the meeting with an open mind, knowing that you are all there to facilitate school success for your child.

Keep careful and detailed notes at the meeting. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you do not understand something that was said.

Ask for information on the curriculum and how students' work is evaluated, so that you know how to gauge your child's progress.

Appreciate that teachers must juggle the unique needs of many students. Work with school personnel to come up with strategies that are practical, given the realities of the school and the classroom.

Acknowledge that the major motivation for success must come from your child. Work with teachers to keep expectations high and to nurture an enthusiasm for learning.

Agree on how you and the teacher will make follow-up contacts to review progress.

Now that you know the first step to take, there are several more steps you can take to find support and make sure your child gets the right kind of help!

Take Action

The most important thing you must determine is the source of your child's learning problem. Time is of the essence if your child does, in fact, have a learning disability, "wait and see" almost always means "wait and fail." If you act early, you will gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing what is causing your child's learning difficulties. You also will be helping to ensure that she overcomes her struggles and enjoys success in school.

In addition to working with your child's teacher, here are additional steps you should take:

Collect information on your child's performance. Keep notes, copies of your child's assignments, and any correspondence from your child's school regarding your child's performance in a folder so that you can document any patterns. At the same time, it is also important to observe your child's strengths and interests, encouraging and rewarding your child for the things he does well.

Monitor your child's progress. Watch your child's progress to be sure that your child's needs are being met. Keep your child's education folder up to date, adding new samples of schoolwork and test results. If your child is not making progress, discuss your observations with school personnel and work together to make changes. You may need to ask for a comprehensive educational evaluation to determine if your child may be eligible for special education services.

Learn as much as you can. The more you understand about the way your child learns and the help that's available, the better equipped you will be to help your child succeed. If it turns out that your child does have a learning disability, you also need to be aware of your rights and protections under the law.

Join with others who care. By joining with other parents and professionals you can increase awareness of the issue, dispel popular misconceptions, help establish educational systems that provide for the needs of children with learning disabilities, and get support for yourself. Locate the LDA Chapter near you today!

Enjoy your child and encourage an interest in learning. You can encourage your child's interests outside the classroom and create a home environment that supports the way your child learns. Rather than focusing solely on your child's deficiencies, emphasize and reward your child's strengths.
Visit our Parents area for additional information on how to help your child and help yourself! * National Center for Education Statistics
**National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center
***National Institutes of Health

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Children with learning disabilities begin school expecting to learn and be successful. If your child is having difficulty in school, she may learn differently from other kids. Parents are often the first to notice that "something doesn't seem right." But sometimes knowing what to do and where to find help can be confusing.

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Unfortunately my school does not have many services accessible to students and families on campus. Depending on the disability, here are some options:

ELD Program: Our ELD program can help students with dyslexia or dysgraphia.

School counselor: Works with students who have trouble  interacting with peers or planning and organization.

One-to-one: Parents are tasked with finding and hiring a one-on-one caregiver to accompany their child throughout the school day, providing assistance with any learning needs they may have.

Specialists: referral to outside specialists according to the needs.

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For a student with a language need there are a few options:

Teacher support in classroom: personalized steps for struggling students.

More visuals and gestures in lessons

Instructions or information given to the student in simple terms and at a slower pace.

Instructions step-by-step.

Giving the child time to think and reply

ELD Program: Our English Language Development program helps students with their language acquisition outside of their mainstream classes. Each program is tailored to individual students or groups

Speech therapist: We do not currently have a speech therapist working in our school, but do have an agency we refer families to.