Speech and Language Therapy Toolkit

Our speech and language therapy toolkit contains advice, activities and general resources to help with the development of children and young people's speech, language and communication skills.

Common queries

Multi-lingual leaflets

Speech and Language Therapy Multilingual Leaflets

* Please note these resources has been provided by Manchester Local Care Organisation

Speaking more than one language

Skills for early communication 

Objects of reference

Parent child interaction 

Play and Communication

Creating communication opportunities 

Offering choices

Language

Tops tips for talking 

Using functional words

Speech

Support for unclear speech 

Stammering

Supporting a child who stammers

Skills for early communication

Early communication skills form the foundation for successful wider speech and language development. These include key abilities such as joint attention, play, social interaction and understanding (comprehension), which can support the development of more complex language skills over time.

You can learn more about how these skills build on and support one another in the communication pyramid here:  Communication Pyramid Explained - YouTube.

Some children may show delays or differences in how these foundational skills develop

Please see our resources below for advice on supporting different early communication skills.

Early communication downloads

Understanding

Social interaction

Promoting language learning 

Promoting speech sound learning

Useful links

Early language

Some children take longer to start using single words and to learn how to put words together into short phrases and sentences.

Please see our resources below to help support the development of early language skills.

You may also want to look at our Late Talkers: How to help your child page for further strategies and advice.

Early language downloads

Useful websites

Augmentative and alternative communication

Augmentative and alternative communication refers to tools and methods used to help people have a functional means of communication.

It includes both unaided methods (such as gestures or signs) and aided methods (such as picture boards or speech-generating devices). 

AAC downloads

Useful links

Language

Spoken language means grammar, vocabulary, the structure of sentences, re-telling stories or events, understanding questions, and following instructions.

Children can have difficulty with some or all of these areas.

Children who have difficulties with language past the age of five can be diagnosed with 'developmental language disorder'.

Read our  Developmental Language Disorder parent information leaflet.pdf 411KB for further information.

Language downloads

SALT guidance notes for school leaflet.pdf357KB

Expressive / grammar

Understanding or blank Levels

Narrative

Colourful semantics

Vocabulary

Visuals

Secondary

Useful websites

Developmental language disorder

Developmental language disorder is a diagnosis given to individuals who will have life-long difficulties with language.

An individual's strengths and needs will change over time and therefore the support will also change.

Developmental language disorder downloads

Useful videos

Useful websites

Speech sounds

Some children have difficulty with certain sounds that can make them difficult to understand.

Please see our resources below to help your child listen and hear the difference between sounds.

There is also information about typical development to help guide parents and professionals to know when to refer their child for further support.

Click here for our school leaflet: SALT guidance notes for school leaflet.pdf 357KB

Speech sound downloads

Stammering

About 5% of children will experience stammering, particularly between the ages of two and five.

Stammering or stuttering is when your child repeats parts of words (‘m-m-mummy’) repeats short words (‘and-and-and’), gets stuck on the first sound and nothing comes out (‘…I want an ice cream'), and stretches out sounds (‘mmmummy’).

You might also notice that your child uses body movements to help get their words out, shows tension in their face, holds their breath or takes big breaths before talking or avoids eye contact when talking.

Each child is different and your child may experience any combination of the above stammering behaviours. 

Please see our resources below to help support your child who stammers, and further information about how and when to seek help.

Stammering downloads

Useful websites

Reluctant talkers and selective mutism

Some children can become reluctant to talk or communicate in certain environments or with certain people.

Please see our resources below to help children who are reluctant with their talking.

Reluctant talkers downloads

 Useful websites

Eating and drinking

Difficulties with the physical act of swallowing food or drinks safely is known as dysphagia. 

Please see our Eating and Drinking | CPFT NHS Trust page for further information and support.

Voice

Voice disorders in children occur most frequently between the ages of seven and 12 years.

Hoarseness (also known as dysphonia) refers to altered vocal characteristics such as voice quality, pitch, resonance, vocal effort or loudness. 

Heavy use of the voice or using a loud volume can increase the risk of voice disorders such as vocal nodules in children. 

Some children may experience voice difficulties as a result of psychological or emotional factors.

Dysphonia usually resolves within seven to10 days. However, individuals with a hoarse voice for more than three weeks should be assessed by their GP or ear, nose and throat department.

Please see our resources below to help support your child with voice difficulties.

Voice downloads

Useful websites

Other useful links

Linked to speech and language therapy

Linked to special education needs

Linked to local authority offer 

Other