Speech and Language Therapy 

Welcombe Hills School is committed to working in partnership with pupils, parents and other professionals to develop every individual’s communication skills, to respect each pupil’s preferred means of communication and to provide a communication friendly environment. 
What is Total Communication? 
Total communication is about communicating in any way you can; 

It’s not just about talking, it’s about: 

• Signing 

• Pointing to pictures. 

• Symbols, photographs or objects of reference. 

• Facial expression, eye pointing, gestures and body movement. 

• Switches and Voice Operated Communication Aids (VOCAs) 

• Sensory cues i.e. music and aromas 

What Approaches Do We Use? 
Our approaches include: 

• Social Communication Skills Groups 

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 

• Intensive Interaction 

• Makaton Signing 

• Body Signing 

• Communication books and Talking Mats 

• Social Stories 

• Low and High Tech communication systems. 

We strive to provide a communication friendly environment by using different approaches such as a pictorial Menu Board and lots of visual and auditory cues placed around the building. 

We work together with Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) to further communication for pupils as appropriate.