Total Communication – enabling children and young people to communicate in the most accessible way for them

Words First Principal Therapist, Kate Weeden, will host a talk for parents/carers and professionals supporting children with speech, language and communication needs. The talk will focus on accessible communication by adopting a total communication approach that helps children and young people use a combination of communication methods to increase their understanding, effectively express themselves and ensure successful interactions. Different communication methods include:
• non- verbal means including body language, gesture and facial expressions
• language based systems such as speech, the written word and signing systems
• symbol systems such as objects of reference, pictures, photos, core boards, communication books, symbol exchanges and high tech accelerated augmentative communication (AAC)