This section considers how best to support young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) to be included in school.
Young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others. Difficulties may be experienced with:
- using clear speech
- listening to and understanding language
- talking in words and sentences
- social interaction
- fluent speech (stammering)
- eating and swallowing
Difficulties may be due to hearing impairment, cleft palate, physical difficulties, learning difficulties or Autism Spectrum (ASD). For many other young people there is no obvious explanation for their difficulties.
This is known as developmental language disorder (DLD). The Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder campaign has created a video to explain more about what DLD is and this video from the University of Oxford explains how the term DLD was agreed and why it was so important. The NAPLIC website has brought together DLD related resources which you might also find helpful.
A number of fact sheets about speech, language and communication and associated conditions can be found on the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists website.
If the young person has needs further needs relating to cognition and learning and/or social, emotional and mental health needs then please refer to other areas of this guidance.
Speaking English as an Additional Language is not considered be a special educational need (although a young person may have co-occurring needs) Please contact the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) if advice is required.
