Children with additional needs often struggle to communicate their needs and feelings effectively. It’s important to have methods in place to help children with underdeveloped verbal, comprehension and processing times. 

Speech and language skills may be slower to develop but there are other ways to help our children communicate.

Parents, teachers, family and support workers can assist children by using a multitude of techniques, games and toys to allow children to improve their communication skills.

A child who starts with simple illustrated cards showing a thumbs up or thumbs down might learn to use cards with more variation including phrases like “I don’t like that,” “That’s not what I wanted,” “I would like more,” or “I am happy today.”

Using visual communication aids has not been shown to prevent children from developing speech; rather it more frequently helps children to form the foundations of verbal communication. We have a huge range of communication aids for both the home and the classroom that can help children to express themselves and to understand you and the world around them.

• Sensory art on the move will keep your children occupied while on a drive. It also helps with gross motor skills, drawing and comprehension.

Rainbow poppets are colourful and playful visual aids that can help a child with coordination, as a possible communication device and a fun toy to develop fine motor skills.

At Sensory Learning Supplies, we are committed to being Ireland’s leading supplier of sensory-related products for parents and schools. Our education-focused toys and games are fun for children of all ages and are focused on areas such as Interactive Surfaces, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Communication (Speech and Language), Oral Sensory.