Shape Coding intervention

The Shape Coding approach was designed by Speech and Language Therapist Dr Susan Ebbels at Moor House School & College in the late 90s. It is the system that, through shapes, colours and arrows teaches spoken and written grammar. This approach is evidence-based and proven to work for children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). However it has also been successfully used by many for children with learning disabilities such as Down Syndrome or specific disorders such as Autism. It can be used to teach simple Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) sentences, pronouns, plurals or tenses but you could also use it to teach the whole narratives. You can find more about Shape Coding here: https://www.moorhouse.surrey.sch.uk/shape-coding Moor House now also offers online courses: https://www.moorhouse.surrey.sch.uk/courses-and-conferences

Have you heard of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) ?

DLD is a hidden disability that affects approximately 1 in 14 people. ChildSpeech are supporting DLD awareness day on October 18th. You can find excellent information and resources at https://radld.org/ 

 RADLD also have a YouTube channel where children and young people with DLD share their stories - you can see Lucas' story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0n1zUU5UZA&list=PLZKYMAk9g2pkvnuv2ZOssWcSIAqIEPXOc&index=14&t=0s

Bercow 10 years on

Bercow: Ten Years On is a report on the state of provision for children’s speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in England. The report has been published by I CAN , the children’s communication charity, and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

The report shows poor understanding of and insufficient resourcing for speech, language and communication needs. This means too many children and young people receive inadequate, ineffective and inequitable support, potentially impacting on their educational outcomes, their employability and their mental health.

Read it here