SALT
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy at Ysgol Bryn Castell
Ysgol Bryn Castell follow a Total Communication approach for all pupils at YBC.
Katy Wootton is YBC’s Speech and Language Therapist. Katy welcomes contact from parents, she works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and can be contacted by ringing the school.
Every pupil at YBC has Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and their communication is impacted in various ways and with a range of severities.
Depending on the needs of a child or young person, Katy may provide advice and support in areas such as:
-Clarity of speech
-Understanding spoken language and processing instructions
-Developing the use of visuals to help children communicate
-Using words and sentences
-Interaction and play
-Understanding and using emotion words
-Selective Mutism/anxiety around talking
Katy supports some children directly, for example children who may have difficulties producing speech sounds. However, wherever possible Katy will work collaboratively with teachers and support staff and supports them with ongoing communication strategies. Research shows that it is the adults who the child interacts with daily, who are best placed to make the biggest difference.
Katy also works with the School Leadership Team (SMT) to identify staff training needs around communication and where appropriate provide whole school/department training for the benefit of all students.
Resources that may be helpful to some parents
How to use a Total Communication Approach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBWIO0VSOe0
Using Visuals to help children understand -https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/communication/communication-tools/visual-supports
https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/help-for-families/
Helping children to Understand and Express Emotions
Autistic Communication Styles An Introduction to the Double Empathy Problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpXwYD9bGyU&t=230s
This short video (5:35 minutes). The video is appropriate for teenagers as well as adults learning about Autistic styles of communication and culture.
Getting Ready for School – understanding the morning routine
https://reachoutasc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Getting-Ready-For-School.pdf
This PDF booklet is a simple language pictorial (using Widget symbols) social story written in the first person about the morning routine needed to transition from sleeping, to preparing for school through to the first assembly of the day. The aim of the booklet is to support Autistic children to understand their morning routine and feel confident and relaxed with what is coming next in their day.
Selective Mutism