Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
Good speech, language and communication skills are fundamental to how we are able to manage in complex institutions such as schools as well as allowing us to successfully integrate into the world in which we live.
Difficulties with SLCN can arise as a PRIMARY need in a range of ways including specific to the speech and language systems associated with making and using speech sounds, understanding, using sentences, and social interaction. SLCN can also arise as a SECONDARY need, related to autism, physical disability, hearing impairment or cognitive difficulties affecting the development of speech, language and communication skills. It is also important to consider that reduced developmental opportunities may contribute to language delay and social disadvantage is one risk factor.
A speech, language or communication difficulty may be evidenced if a child or young person has a difficulty in one or more of the following areas:
- Listening and attention
- Understanding of language
- Expressive language skills
- Speech and Phonological Awareness (processing, producing and manipulating sounds)
- Capacity to use language successfully to interact and learn.
A child’s skills may be described as
- Delayed (not age appropriate, but following the normal developmental pathway)
- Disordered (developing in an unusual or diverse manner)
A child may have delayed language or communication, which is associated with a broader learning difficulty, or it may be a specific difficulty (i.e. other skills and abilities are age appropriate or developed to a higher level than language/communication).
A child may present with difficulties in this area on account of:
- Language use at home – deprivational factors (not SEND).
- Physical or neurological difficulties.
- Motivational and emotional factors (may be SEND under other category of need).
Children who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) should not be recorded as having a special educational need purely on the basis of the additional language needs. However, if there are difficulties in both the home language and English, this may indicate either a specific or associated need.
Printable PDF version of tables
Useful websites/sources of advice and guidance
Communicating the Curriculum – Language Development in Primary Schools
Speech Language and Communication Development
Speech and Language Developmental Milestones 0-5 years
Ages and Stages of Language Development 0-18 years