Overview
Research highlights the strong connection between behaviour and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN):
- 57% of children with diagnosed language deficits are also identified with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).
- In a study of pupils at risk of exclusion, two-thirds were found to have underlying SLCN.
- Over 60% of young people involved in youth justice services present with SLCN.
Despite these figures, many communication needs go unrecognised, as young people often develop coping strategies to mask their difficulties.
In this session, learners will explore the intrinsic link between communication challenges and behaviour, including a focus on more withdrawn children and young people, whose needs may be less visible. The session will examine how communication can break down between adults and young people, particularly during challenging situations, and will provide strategies for repair, support, and relationship building.
Outcomes
- To consider the definitions of behaviour and how these fit into language learning.
- To have an increased awareness and knowledge of the developmental norms for social and emotional development.
- To feel confident in understanding how language and behaviour are intrinsically linked and how SLCN impacts on behaviour.
- To understand why things can go wrong between young people and adults or within peer interactions.
- To develop strategies to understand and support young people in day-to-day challenging situations.