Language and Communication

Supporting Language, Communication and Autism in Educational Settings

Who are we?

We are a team of specialist teachers and support assistants with advanced expertise in Speech, Language, and Communication, including Autism.

We work across North Tyneside schools, assessing and supporting children and young people aged 3-18, providing tailored advice, interventions, strategies, and resources. Our support extends to one-on-one work with pupils to address specific needs and to school staff, offering training on topics like Autism, communication strategies, verbal reasoning and emotional regulation. Additionally, we aid the local authority’s EHCP process by providing thorough recommendations.

Our training programs for school staff and parents are continually updated to reflect current research. Notably, our seven-week Autism course for parents includes topics such as sensory processing, communication, and understanding diagnosis. The Early Years Communication Outreach Team (EYCOT) provides intensive, targeted interventions in nursery settings, supporting young children with speech and language needs to aid their development in early years education.

What do we provide?

Assessments of children referred to us by mainstream schools.

Written reports and recommendations for schools and parents/carers including, where possible, a feedback meeting with both parties.

Written advice as part of the EHCP process and attendance at reviews where appropriate.

Strategies, advice and resources.

Training for whole schools, groups within schools, individual staff members and other agencies.

A parent programme to support the parents/carers of pupils who have received a diagnosis of Autism.

1:1 intervention for pupils who require individual or group support.

Specialist advice and guidance to staff in nursery settings.

Specialist support to settings for pupils identified through Child Alert.

Referral to our team is likely to involve:

Referral information is sought from the school are parents/carers as part of the referral process.

Consultation with the child or young person’s parents/carers, school staff and any other relevant professionals prior to seeing them.

Observation of the child or young person in their educational setting.

Face to face assessment and/or discussions with the child or young person.

Attendance at SEND review, annual EHCP review and/or Team Around the Family or Early Help Assessment meetings to share assessment findings and contribute to collaborative SEND support planning.