is a national network of families who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication services. We hold local groups in many areas and a national event each year.
support children and adults with the most complex communication difficulties, focussing on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which includes a range of low and high tech resources and strategies to support or replace spoken communication. Families can access our free advice and information service by ringing 0800 080 3115 or emailing enquiries@acecentre.org.uk.
runs Children's Centres which provide support with early language development. Our stay and play sessions focus on speech and language development and a range of accredited parent/carer and child courses have specific, language related learning outcomes.
Our short break services are passionate about ensuring children can communicate their views and wishes. Our staff are skilled in a range of augmented and assisted communication methods and are always willing to learn the unique ways children communicate. All our short break services use the child's existing communication support plan or create one to ensure every child has a "voice". Click here for a map to find these services.
commission specialist services that transform the lives of children who stammer. The Michael Palin Centre runs the UK's largest specialist service dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of children who stammer. We also support the Stammering Support Centre in Leeds, helping children in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
represents children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties, working for their inclusion in society and supports their parents and carers.If you are a parent or young person wanting help and more information, including downloadable factsheets and access to our local networks, go to our website or ring our Helpline on 0300 666 9410.
provide specialist education and support to children and adults with autism. We also run an online community for parents, carers, family members, and people on the autism spectrum.
work to improve life for children and adults who have complex communication, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. Based in the West Midlands, we have a Resource, Training and Therapy Centre and operate a nationwide outreach service.
is a London based social enterprise running workshops which integrate drama, art, music and movement, and our programmes are aimed at improving oracy and literacy skills, developing confidence and encouraging a passion for children's literature.
is a national charity that helps babies and pre-school children with hearing impairment to develop their full potential to listen and talk through our successful Auditory Verbal Therapy coaching programme, available at centres for families and professionals across the UK.
is a large national children's charity providing a wide range of services for all children including those with communication needs. In addition to general information you can find services near your locality by entering your post code here.
is the professional body for teachers of the deaf. We are not aimed at parents, but most of those who teach deaf children will be members of our organisation.
support professionals in the implementation of change in the commissioning and provision of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. We are also developing support for parents who are navigating these services for their children.
have a comprehensive website and both a general helpline and a specific education helpline for children and young people in education: 01606 77374 or via email at education@stammering.org.
is focused mostly in the North West and London. We provide assessment and training services for children who will benefit from using Alternative and Augmentative Communication services.
is a London support service offering assessments, reviews and loan of equipment to help pupils with a disability access the curriculum using assistive technology. Anyone, including parents, can refer to us - but we operate only within the London boroughs.
educates and cares for children and young adults with complex physical disabilities and health needs and communication needs. We are skilled in using additional or augmentative communication methods, from sensory cues for deaf-blind children, through low-tech picture, object or symbol systems, right through to high-tech VOCAs using switch, touch or eye gaze access. Our charity in Sussex encompasses a special school, a residential centre and our Futures Life Skills Centre, a state-of-the-art leisure and life-skills facility which is also open to people with disabilities in the wider community. We offer flexible residential packages from short breaks right through to 52 week care.
improve the literacy of children with learning difficulties in primary and secondary schools through one-to-one work. We currently work in London and Manchester but wish to expand our work into other areas. Parent / carer early literacy activity packs also available.
is a large national children's charity providing a wide range of services for all children including those with communication needs. In addition to the map of services accessed from our home page, information about specific services for disabled children can be found here.
work with children and young people with brain injury from across the UK, both from our specialist centre in Surrey and in communities around England. We also run a website, http://www.braininjuryhub.co.uk/, providing information and support to parents and other family members of children with brain injury.
helps those with, and affected by, cleft lip and palate. We have a strong network of parents groups across England, and 50 parents who are willing to be contacted directly to talk to anyone who needs support. We also supply feeding equipment and on line publications as well as a comprehensive website. Finally we host www.clapaedge.com for young people.
provide online resources for all those who work with children with speech, language and communication needs. The resources are free to download and although intended primarily for professionals can be accessed by parents.
is a national charity which offers provides information on Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems & services. Their website holds lots of practical information useful to families and professionals and they can signpost families to appropriate services and support. There is also an email forum where you can talk to and ask questions of the wider AAC community. Communication Matters runs a range of events, including AAC roadshows, study days and an annual conference, which are for public & professionals alike.
supports not-for-profits and professionals who work with children who have speech, language and communication needs. The Trust and its members provide many resources that parents may find helpful for supporting their children's communication, which can be found here.
support families with disabled children across the UK wherever they are. Some of our services include a free helpline 0808 808 3555, an online forum: http://www.makingcontact.org/ and an online medical directory.
Cued Speech uses eight hand-shapes near the mouth to clarify the lip patterns of normal speech. With the vocabulary and structure of spoken language made visible, deaf children can quickly acquire an understanding of spoken language. Cued speech can be learned online via Skype.
focusses on providing a bridge between the clinical services where these modern hearing technologies are fitted and home, school and work where they are used. Since its inception, the services and supports we provide have increased and diversified - now providing support to infants, children, young people and adults using any form of hearing technology including hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone conduction hearing implants and associated assistive devices.
provides nursery and preschool services to deaf babies and children, from the point of diagnosis until school age, supporting each child to reach their potential. We help deaf children learn to listen and talk, as well as giving them the chance to make friends with other deaf children their age. We also provide education and support services to parents, including a remote support service for those who aren't able to travel to our Family Centre in Portsmouth.
provides accredited training for practitioners and parents working with children who have speech, language and communication needs. Our courses contain effective, practical and evidence based strategies. Experienced speech and language therapists write and deliver these courses through our network of licensed tutors who can provide training in most parts of England. E-learning and intensive courses are also available. We also have a range of practical resources to support staff and parents to maximise their children's communication potential both at home and at school.