Help in a crisis during Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
During this COVID-19 pandemic there may have to be changes in the way some of our services work. Please contact the service directly to check how services are being delivered and follow their advice.
If you need help in a mental health crisis during Coronavirus pandemic outside office hours please contact our crisis team: Help in a crisis
For other medical advice and support contact your your GP or visit NHS 111.
Only visit your local Emergency Department for serious life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention including persistent severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, acute confused state, severe blood loss, serious burns, suspected stroke.
What do we mean by speech, language and communication?
Speech refers to:
- Speaking with a clear voice, in a way that makes speech interesting and meaningful
- Speaking without hesitating too much or without repeating words or sounds
- Being able to make sounds like ‘k’ and ‘t’ clearly so people can understand what you say
Language refers to:
- Knowing and choosing the right words to explain what you mean
- Joining words together into sentences, stories and conversations
- Making sense of what people say
Communication refers to:
- Using language or gestures in different ways, for example to have a conversation or to give someone directions
- Being able to consider other people’s point of view
- Using and understanding body language and facial expressions, such as:
- Knowing when someone is bored
- Being able to listen to and look at people when having a conversation
- Knowing how to take turns and to listen as well as talk
- Knowing how close to stand next to someone
What are speech, language and communication needs?
- Difficulty in communicating with others
- Difficulties saying what they want to
- Difficulty in understanding what is being said to them
- Difficulties understanding and using social rules
Speech, language and communication needs can occur on their own without any other developmental needs, or be part of another condition such as general learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
For many children, difficulties will resolve naturally when they experience good communication-rich environments. Others will need a little extra support from you. However, some may need longer term speech and language therapy support.
It is important for practitioners to recognise what level of support children require as early as possible. Contact your local Children's Centre speech and language therapist or use our website to find the support and training you feel you need.