My Child is Growing Up But We Still Need Support
The challenges ahead
It may surprise you to know that all children’s listening, understanding, talking and interaction with others continues to develop into their teenage years and throughout their time at high school.
At high school, children are expected to use their talking to ask questions, explain, negotiate, solve problems and justify their reasoning. There is a lot of new curriculum vocabulary and children are expected to learn more independently through reading, as well as through listening and talking.
Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), who continue to experience difficulties with talking and understanding, may find this a very challenging time. Their SLCN may affect their abilities to interact with others, understand what they read, take part in class discussions and learn.
For some children and young people, their SLCN may only come to light as the demands in school increase. However this can be hard for teachers and others to spot if a child’s speech sounds clear. Difficulties with listening, understanding and talking may be hidden behind difficulties with attention, behaviour and literacy.
