Southwood Primary School Inclusion Support by MVeysi

Speech and language at home

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Top tips for speech and language at home.

Top tips for speech and language

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Welcome

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Welcome to Southwood’s inclusion page. Here you can find some additional information to help support your child at home. Look through each column to see a selection of information and tasks. New pages will continuously be added so come back to see our updates and latest information.

Parent concerns

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If you have a concern about your child, you can speak to the class teacher and arrange an appointment. If you would like to meet with a member of the Inclusion Team, an appointment can be made through the office.

Mr O’Byrne - Inclusion Lead
Miss Veysi - SENDCo

SEND needs

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What needs could my child have?

In the SEND Code of Practice (2014), need is broken down into four areas.

Communication and Interaction: Children who have speech, language or communication needs

Cognition and Learning: Children who have learning difficulties or learn at a slower pace

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties: Children who experience difficulties with their own mental health and may struggle to manage their emotions and/or behaviour

Sensory and /or Physical needs: Children who have a physical condition that affects their mobility, this may be children who have a visual or hearing impairment or a physical disability

Top tips for speech and language

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Regulation strategies

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Zones of Regulation

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At Southwood, we use Zones of Regulations across the whole school to understand different emotions. It’s important to remember that everyone experiences these different emotions and it is important to recognise them. Being able to understand the different emotions is key to learning how to regulate.

Zones of Regulation tools

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Alternative communication - Makaton

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Makaton is a simplified form of sign language, incorporating symbols and gestures, and is normally used with children with additional needs. Makaton is a great alternative method of communication for children who are not able to communicate verbally yet.

Alternative communication strategies

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Alternative communication - PECS/symbols

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Communication and interaction

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Children and young people who have speech, language and communication difficulties can struggle to make sense of language or to understand how to communicate effectively and appropriately with others.

Children and young people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger’s Syndrome, have particular difficulties with social interaction.

Physical and sensory

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Physical needs are defined as children and young people who have visual and/or hearing impairments, or a physical need that means they must have additional on-going support and equipment.

Sensory needs are defined when a child has a difficult time receiving and responding to information from their senses. Children who have sensory difficulties may have an aversion to anything that triggers their senses, such as light, sound, touch, taste, or smell.

Cognition and learning

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Cognition and learning is the primary need for children and young people who learn at a slower pace than others their age, they may:

-have difficulty in understanding parts of the curriculum.
-have difficulties with organisation and memory skills.

-have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning such as in literacy or numeracy.

The term ‘learning difficulties’ covers a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple difficulties (PMLD). Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia come under this term.

Please look at the maths and literacy section for ideas to support your child’s progress.

SEMH

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Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which present themselves in many ways. They may:

- have difficulty in managing their relationships with other people.

- be withdrawn.

- behave in ways that may impact their and other children’s learning or that have an impact on their health and wellbeing.

This broad area includes attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attachment disorder. It also includes behaviours that may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, self-harming and eating disorders.

Autism

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Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Please look at the website to find more information regarding the difficulties that people with autism face, the differences between autism in girls to boys and information about diagnosing autism.

Visual impairment

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Hearing impairment

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Physical needs

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Sensory needs

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Supporting hypersensitivity:

Using light covers, sunglasses or a hat under fluorescent lights

Wearing ear plugs or headphones in noisy environments

Working in spaces with a closed door or high walls

Avoiding strongly scented products

Choosing foods that avoid aversions to textures, temperatures or spices

Wearing soft, comfortable clothing

Adjusting schedules to avoid crowds

Supporting hyposensitivity:

Visual supports for those who have difficulty processing spoken information

Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools

Arranging furniture to provide safe, open spaces

Taking frequent movement breaks throughout the day

Eating foods with strong flavors or mixed textures

Weighted blankets, lap pads or clothing that provides deep pressure

Developing organisation skills

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Memory strategies

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Dyslexia

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Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed.

Sensory circuit

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At Southwood, we use sensory circuits for children who need support to meet their sensory needs. This helps their regulation so they are ready to learn.

Building confidence

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Alternative communication - apps

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Barking and Dagenham SEND information

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Family support - Early Help

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The Heathway Centre

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The Heathway Centre runs a range of groups for children and young people with special needs where they can come with their brothers and sisters, including pre-school activities and youth clubs.

The Sycamore Trust

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The Sycamore Trust runs a range of social activities specifically for children and young adults with Autism and Learning Difficulties.

Autism aged 8 –13 group. While at the club, members will be able to benefit from a range of activities including arts and craft, various cooking activities, physical activities, and sensory based activities. All the activities are carefully designed and structured to enable all members, whatever their abilities, to engage and interact with all the activities to the best of their individual ability.

Within the 13-17 group we support young people to learn life skills to enable them to move forward towards being more independent

Family Fund

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If you’re raising a disabled or seriously ill child, and need support with essential items, family Fund can help.

Cosmic Yoga for regulation time

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Thrive Well Being Up to 7

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Thrive Well Being Ideas up to 11

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Anxiety

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Stories and poems by young people with ADHD

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Well being activities

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Fine motor skills

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Fine motor activities will help your child with writing, grasping objects and independence skills like getting dressed and feeding themselves etc.

Gross motor skills

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Supporting an anxious child

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Representations of anxiety

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Story about autism for children

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All my stripes is a story about being different and accepting those differences. The story shows that everyone is unique and that makes each person special. You could watch this story with your child and discuss what makes you both special!

Dyspraxia

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TTRockstars

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Times tables is a crucial skill in maths as it is used in many different concepts. By year 4, children should be fluent in all of their times tables.

When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important – the more facts your child remembers, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils master the times tables!

Please login to TTR below and speak to your child’s class teacher if you do not have your login.

Number bond games

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Knowing and understanding number bonds is important for many different math concepts. Click on the link to have access to a range of online games that will develop your child’s number bond skills.

Undercover math games

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If maths is difficult for your child, it is important to practise skills regularly. Developing math skills can be fun and engaging by games!

Reading

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ADHD

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. There are many strategies to support children with regulating so it is important to find the tools that best suit your child.

Interactions - social skills

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If you are concerned regarding your child’s social skills, please speak to your child’s class teacher and we can discuss some strategies that can help at home.

Dyslexia Gold

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If your child has a dyslexia gold account, please log in following the link to complete activities.

Dyscalculia

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southwoodpri — 2024-05-13 13:11:44 UTC

Parents to talk to a speech therapist support line for advice on strategies to use at home.

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Resource library to use at home for different speech and language needs.

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On our school website, are a range of activities which you can complete with your child at home to develop their speech and language.

Medical at Southwood

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We work with a school Nurse who is NHS registered. The service provides support in the form of training and advice for parents and staff. Training provided consists of awareness of seizures and epilepsy, sickle cell among other medical treatments. They also assist us in writing Health Care Plans (HCP) for children with allergies and other medical needs. The school nursing team also run drop-in clinics where you can discuss any concerns regarding your child's health needs and these are based at the school. We announce the dates of drop-in clinics on class dojo events. If you have any medical concerns and would like to discuss these concerns please contact our school office.

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My Brain Is A Race Car is a story to help understand a neurodivergent ADHD brain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfQoPgq1TL4

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A Day With No Words is by an author with autism, who also has two autistic boys, she shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr2MPy1Gg_8&t=98s

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My Brain Is Magic is a story to celebrate sensory needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBh5z4CFxZg

DLA guidance

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Support to complete DLA

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Young carers for siblings

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Young Carers Support

Do you have a child aged 8-19 who helps care for a sibling with additional needs?

They may be a Young Carer if they:

Help with personal care routines
Support with medication or health needs
Take on extra household responsibilities
Provide emotional support to their sibling
Miss out on activities or feel worried about their brother or sister

How to access support: Please contact the school office or speak to Mrs Veysi (SENCo) if you think your child may be a Young Carer. We can discuss the criteria and support you with a referral to Young Carers services.

Parent Wellbeing & Self-Care

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Looking after yourself matters too.

Parenting a child with SEND can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and isolating at times. You may experience a range of emotions including stress, anxiety, guilt, frustration, or grief - and that's completely normal.

Remember: You can't pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn't selfish - it's essential.

Understanding the emotional impact

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Many parents of children with SEND experience similar feelings. You are not alone.

📖 Read about the emotional impact of parenting a child with SEND: The Emotional Impact on Parents of Children with SEND

Common feelings include:

Exhaustion from constant advocacy and appointments
Worry about your child's future
Isolation from friends or family who don't understand
Guilt about needing a break
Grief for the life you expected
Frustration with systems and processes
Pride and joy in your child's achievements

All of these feelings are valid!

Self-care strategies

southwoodpri — 2025-10-15 07:58:20 UTC

Looking after your well-being helps you support your child better. Here are some practical ways to care for yourself:

Small daily acts:

Take 5 minutes for a cup of tea in peace
Step outside for fresh air
Listen to your favourite music
Practice deep breathing when stressed
Celebrate small wins - yours and your child's
Say no to things that drain you

Regular self-care:

Connect with other SEND parents who understand
Make time for activities you enjoy
Ask for and accept help from others
Prioritise sleep where possible
Eat regular, nourishing meals
Move your body in ways that feel good

Seeking support:

Talk to someone who gets it - friend, family, or professional
Join a local or online SEND parent support group
Consider counselling or therapy if you're struggling
Speak to your GP about your own mental health
Don't wait until you're in crisis to ask for help

A message from our inclusion team:

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We see you. We see how hard you work for your child every single day. We see the sleepless nights, the endless appointments, the forms you fill in, the meetings you attend, the advocacy you do, and the love you pour into your child.

You are doing an incredible job, even on the days when it doesn't feel like it.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need support. Whether it's a listening ear, signposting to services, or just someone who understands - we're here.

💚 Remember: Taking care of yourself is taking care of your child.

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Short Breaks 4 Me

southwoodpri — 2025-10-17 13:21:27 UTC

Short Breaks 4 Me is aimed at families with children aged 1-17 years that have a disability or severe healthcare and cannot access leisure activities in the community without additional help or support.

For further information and to apply for the Short Breaks 4 me grant please visit their website.

Understanding Southwood SEND Systems

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Southwood communication tips

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Southwood - Supporting emotion tips

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Southwood - building self-esteem

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Southwood - supporting home learning

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Southwood Primary School Inclusion Support by MVeysi

Speech and language at home

Top tips for speech and language

Welcome

Parent concerns

SEND needs

Top tips for speech and language

Regulation strategies

Zones of Regulation

Zones of Regulation tools

Alternative communication - Makaton

Alternative communication strategies

Alternative communication - PECS/symbols

Communication and interaction

Physical and sensory

Cognition and learning

SEMH

Autism

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Physical needs

Sensory needs

Developing organisation skills

Memory strategies

Dyslexia

Sensory circuit

Building confidence

Alternative communication - apps

Barking and Dagenham SEND information

Family support - Early Help

The Heathway Centre

The Sycamore Trust

Family Fund

Cosmic Yoga for regulation time

Thrive Well Being Up to 7

Thrive Well Being Ideas up to 11

Anxiety

Stories and poems by young people with ADHD

Well being activities

Fine motor skills

Gross motor skills

Supporting an anxious child

Representations of anxiety

Story about autism for children

Dyspraxia

TTRockstars

Number bond games

Undercover math games

Top tips for reading

Reading

ADHD

Interactions - social skills

Dyslexia Gold

Dyscalculia

Medical at Southwood

DLA guidance

Support to complete DLA

Young carers for siblings

Parent Wellbeing & Self-Care

Understanding the emotional impact

Self-care strategies

A message from our inclusion team:

Short Breaks 4 Me

Understanding Southwood SEND Systems

Southwood communication tips

Southwood - Supporting emotion tips

Southwood - building self-esteem

Southwood - supporting home learning