It is not true that by the time you reach secondary school you will have developed your speech, language and communication skills completely.
In reality speech, language and communication skills continue to develop and improve. You will start to use language you had not used previously as you mature into adulthood.
During puberty boys voice will also ‘break’ and will become permanently deeper. During this process, you might find that your voice is very deep one minute and then goes very high the next. This is completely normal.
There are sometimes where young people may need some extra help, have a look at the signs below and how to get help if you’re concerned.
These are some of the signs that may indicate some further help is needed:
- Difficulty pronouncing certain speech sounds
- Speech that is hard to understand
- Stuttering while speaking
- Difficulty clearly expressing thoughts and needs
- Poor ability to answer questions
- Difficulty telling a story and explaining something in a sequential order and in a way that makes sense
- Voice issues, such as hoarseness or inability to speak loudly enough
- Not easily able to follow social rules in conversation with others:
- Difficulty keeping eye contact
- Poor ability to use appropriate body language
- Difficulty participating in a conversation by staying on topic and asking and answering questions
- Inability to understand sarcasm or figurative language
- Speak to your school teacher
- Speak to your school nurse
- Speak to your school's SENCO
- Look at the resources and information on the Hillingdon Talks website
- Call the Children's Integrated Therapy advice line on 01895 488 200
The I Can website has answers to common questions about speech and language assessments and also information about the assessment services it offers
The websites below contain a wealth of information that teachers, parents and students can be signposted to:
- Talking Point - www.
talkingpoint.org.uk – information for families, young people, schools and other professionals for students with speech and language difficulties - Afasic – www.
afasic.org.uk – support for families and young people with speech and language difficulties - I CAN - www.
ican.org.uk – information for families and practitioners (including schools) working with students with speech and language difficulties - The National Autistic Society – www.
autism.org.uk – information for families, young people, schools and other professionals on ASD - The British Stammering Association – www.
stammering.org - information for families, young people, schools and other professionals on stammering - The Michael Palin Centre - www.
stammeringcentre.org – information for families, young people, schools and other professionals on stammering - National Deaf Children’s Society – www.
ncds.org.uk – information for families, young people, schools and other professionals on hearing impairment - Headway – www.
headway.org.uk - information and support for young people who have had a head injury including stroke, brain injury etc