Receptive Language Difficulties

Struggles to understand spoken language

  • Keep verbal information minimal when addressing the CYP

  • Use as much visual teaching as possible

  • Be precise with your vocabulary and repeat words if needed

  • Chunk information

  • Use small step instructions and get the CYP to repeat in their own words what they need to do

Difficulties following class routines

  • Keep class routines structured and predictable

  • Visual timetables or lesson visual timetable breakdown

  • Teach cue words

Over reliant on copying others

  • Ensure that you have used the identified 'ways in' for the CYP to complete the learning independently

  • Allow models of work to be used but then written in own words

  • Allow collaborative discussion, leading to independent writing

Finds it hard to concentrate

  • Allow CYP extra time to process information and formulate answers

  • Warn them before you ask them to verbally answer in class

  • Encourage the CYP to break down a task into manageable chunks if the adult isn't doing it for the CYP

  • Use a tick sheet for task completion

Takes things literally

  • Clarify misunderstandings sensitively

  • Be flexible with sanctions

  • Teach common idioms and their meanings

  • Keep language precise and stick to facts

Difficulty reading facial expressions or social nuances

  • Be sensitive pairing, especially for group work

  • Ensure good role models in paired and group work as student learns from watching per behaviour

  • Use social thinking skill strategies - predicting what facial expressions mean

  • Teach some common body language communications such as hands on hips and arms folded

Difficulty learning new vocabulary

  • Use opportunities for pre learning and over learning

  • Set homework to reflect the need to learn vocabulary or reinforce new concepts

  • Link new vocabulary to existing vocabulary

  • Use new words in sentences to show how the word would be used