​ ​​​​

​How can you develop speech and language skills in your secondary school aged child?

​.

​

• Spend time together, listening to them, getting to understand their interests and concerns.

• Play games together e.g. board games or cards.

• Encourage reading.

• Limit screen time.

• Make sure you have your child's attention before speaking to them.

• Teach new words in a structured way, including modelling new words and sentences always relating new vocabulary to words and concepts they are familiar with.

• Break instructions into chunks, giving 1 or 2 key pieces of information at a time.

• Speak slowly and pause often.

• Use visuals e.g pictures, written words, demonstrations to back up verbal information.

• Balance comments and questions.

• Monitor your child's level of understanding and encourage them to say when they don't understand ask for support if required.

• Include time for play and games that involve turn taking.

• Involve the school; talk to the teachers and the SENCo. if you have concerns.​​​

 

If you are concerned about your chid's speech and language development I always recommend contacting your NHS speech and language therapist in the first instance. Find out what services are available locally. You can refer directly to your local service or through your health visitor or G.P.

​​

You can also contact a free speech and language advice line https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/help-for-families/talk-to-a-speech-and-language-advisor/

​​

If you are interested in private therapy you can contact me or see the list of local private therapists on the ASLTIP website https://asltip.com/

​