Children and young people with communication and interaction needs have difficulty communicating with others. They may find it hard to say what they want to, understand what’s being said to them, and experience differences in how they interact with others and the world around them. This includes – but is not restricted to – children and young people with a diagnosis of autism and those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
The profile for every child with communication and interaction needs is unique to them, and may change over time. They may experience difficulty with one, some or all aspects of speech, language or social communication at different times of their lives.
Alongside our guidance for schools we’ve selected some resources that parents may find useful if their child or young people has difficulties in any of these areas.
Areas of communication and interaction needs
Option 1
Social Communication
Social communication is the use of verbal and non-verbal language to interact with others, including body language, tone of voice, conversational skills, social conventions and emotional intelligence.
Resources for parents
Option 2
Attention and listening
Attention and listening relates to the early stages in the development of being able to listen and focus on specific tasks or sounds, and transfer attention from one thing to another. These skills are essential for understanding information, following instructions, completing tasks, participating in discussions and communicating with others.
Resources for parents
Option 3
Flexibility of thought
Flexibility of thought is the ability to adapt your thinking to new, changing or unexpected events. It involves being able to think about things in new or different ways and accept changes to familiar routines.
Resources for parents
- Helping Kids With Flexible Thinking | Child Mind Institute
- Information leaflets regarding transitions, for parents from Early Years to 16 years | Autism Education Trust
- Helpful approaches for parents and carers | PDA Society
- Understanding autism: Our introduction | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parental Minds
Option 4
Sensory processing and integration
Sensory processing and integration is the ability to make sense of the sensory signals from the body and the environment, and responding appropriately.
Resources for parents
- Occupational Therapy workshops | Children and Family Health Devon
- Quick read info and video on Autism and Sensory Processing | Children and Family Health Devon
- Understanding sensory behaviour
- Sensory Processing: A guide for parents
- Easy sensory activities
- Sensory Help Now
- Parental Minds
Receptive language
Receptive language is the ability to understand and comprehend the language we hear or read.
Resources for parents
- Progress checkers for parents: Signs and symptoms | Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
- Parent workshop: Simplify language and support understanding | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parent workshop on visuals: Using visuals to support communication | Children and Family Health Devon
- Parents | DLD and Me
- What is DLD? | DLD and Me
- Afasic – Guides for Parents
Expressive language
Expressive language means the ability to express oneself – showing what it is that you want, being able to make choices, asking and answering questions.
Children and young people with expressive language difficulties can be talkative. It is important to explore the content of their language.
Resources for parents
- Signs and symptoms | Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
- Parent workshop on visuals: Using visuals to support communication | Children and Family Health Devon
Speech clarity
Speech clarity is how easily and accurately spoken words can be understood by a listener. It includes pronunciation, pace, volume, intonation and enunciation.
Resources for parents
- Parent hand-out: Speech | Afasic
- What age do speech sounds develop? | BBC Tiny Happy People
- Speech development series | Children and Family Health Devon
Selective mutism
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain situations but can speak in other situations.
Resources for parents
- Selective mutism: information for parents and carers | Children and Family Health Devon
- iSpeak – a voice for people with Selective Mutism
Dysfluency (stammering)
Dysfluency, also known as stammering, is a difficulty in producing smooth, fluent speech.