Listening to the voice of adolescents with SEND
All adolescents have a voice which deserves to be heard.
Adolescents with SEND may face additional barriers to communicating and influencing decisions made about their lives.
This may include those with :
•speech, language, and communication needs
•communication and interaction difficulties associated with severe and profound learning difficulties
•Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Working effectively with adolescents with SEND may include using different strategies that enable to them to express themselves and understand others:
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
including signs, symbols, photographs, objects can assist some adolescents to express themselves and understand others.
ADAPTING SPEECH
to individual needs may be useful, such as simplifying grammar, using concrete terms instead of abstract or figurative language, and using short, clear phrases instead of longer sentences.
AN ADVOCATE
supports adolescents without formal language to have their voices heard. An advocate who knows them well will be able to interpret body language and other forms of potentially communicative behaviour.
The Local Offer explains the support and services that are available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years.
