Why is communication so important?
Communication is essential for:

• becoming a real person
• being accepted by others
• enjoying and benefiting from school
• making friends
• telling stories
• making jokes

But what if my child cannot speak?
Children learn to speak at different stages and at different speeds, just as they do when learning to walk, eat or use the toilet by themselves. Most children start saying a few words at 12-15 months, but if your child doesn’t start to speak by the age of two, you may want to do something about it. This may be because you already know that your child has a physical or neurological disability, which may affect the development of speech. Or, perhaps, you are just worried by the delay.

Where do I go for advice?
Ask your doctor or health visitor. Go to your nearest child development centre, early excellence centre, or early years centre. Ask to see a speech and language therapist if your child has a physical or neurological disability. Alternatively, contact one of the ACE Centres.

What advice will be given?
If there is concern about your child’s communication progress, your local speech and language therapist should provide a programme of intervention. If your child has a physical or neurological disability, then one suggestion that may be to use some kind of communication aid.

What is a communication aid?
A communication device complements, but does not replace, a child’s natural ways of communicating. It may be:

• a chart or book of symbols which may resemble pictures but which have specific meanings
• an electronic device with human or artificial speech
• a signing system such as British Sign Language where hands and fingers are used to express words

Will signing, symbols or a communication aid prevent my child learning to speak?
No! All the research demonstrates that the use of communication devices does not inhibit the development of natural speech.

What if my child finds it difficult to draw or write?
When most children reach the age of four or five they start writing their first important words like ‘mum’, ‘dad’ or their own names. They also draw and paint quite detailed and recognisable pictures. But a number of children with physical disabilities cannot grasp crayons, finger paint or scribble with a pencil meaningfully. These may be the first signs that they will have difficulty with handwriting and drawing at school. So, to check if there may be a problem, watch your child:

• pick up and move small objects
• scribble with crayons and felt tips
• colour in pre-drawn shapes
• draw simple, freehand objects
• trace over simple patterns

If you think there might be a problem, seek early advice from an occupational therapist or educational adviser, or contact us - tel 01865 759810 - if you live in South and Central England, ACE Centre North (Northen England), the CALL Centre (Scotland) or CENMAC (London). They will give you expert and independent advice about how writing and drawing aids might help your child at school.

What is a writing aid?
A writing aid could take the form of:

• a magnetic board, a wedge or a pencil grip for stabilising and improving handwriting and drawing
• a dictaphone for taking notes
• a portable computer with appropriate software for writing, drawing or mathematics
• a desktop computer with independent access for a severely disabled switch user to areas of learning and leisure

Can I have my child independently assessed?
Experienced and independent professionals are available to carry out assessments for communication and writing aids. The result will be better-informed decisions about what your child needs. In general, a team of professionals bringing different skills and ideas to the process should conduct assessments. Individual professionals or consultants should not, ideally, carry out complex assessments. It is important that, as a parent, you are invited to attend an assessment. An initial assessment should be followed up by regular reviews because most childrens' needs change frequently as they grow older.

What about training and support?
Recommendations for purchasing communication and writing aids should normally only be made if everyone involved appreciates that planned training and support are crucial to ensuring a successful outcome. Training and support should be part of the recommended "package".

Some independent sources of advice
Child Development Centres, the ACE Centres, Communication Aid Centres, ACCESS Centres, SCOPE, CENMAC (Resource Centre for Motor & Associated Communication).