Why think about people's communication?

Speech is great, but it's hard to learn how to do it.

We have to remember the words and what they mean. We have to learn to say the words clearly so that everyone understands us. We have to know the rules about how to join the words together.We have to know when to speak and who to talk to.

There are so many rules, and so many skills are needed, that many people can't speak well and some can't speak at all.

If we can do things like:-

• get someone's attention,
• look at them,
• show them that we want to communicate,
• take turns to communicate,

then getting the message across gets easier.

If we have a way to communicate, like photos, symbols or signs, getting the message across gets easier.

If we live in a place where there are picture timetables, pictures of food, photos of staff, photos of places we go, then getting the message across gets easier.

If we feel good because we have people who know us with us, people who have time, and people who can help us, then getting the message across gets easier.

 Other Ways of Speaking   This booklet provides information about children and young people who use a variety of different ways to communicate, how you can help support them and where to go for further information.              

 Copies of this booklet can be ordered for free from www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/publications