Assessments / Advice & next steps
Communication concerns and school support
Communication concerns are very common. You do not need to diagnose the issue yourself; focus on collecting clear examples of your child's experience at school, which will support a productive conversation with the SENCO.
Quick answer
Prepare questions focused on how communication affects learning. Work with the school to document how communication needs appear in the classroom environment.
What this means
When communication impacts school life, the goal is to identify barriers. This guide focuses on how to communicate with your school effectively to ensure that your child's needs are recognised and supported within the classroom, without assuming an immediate need for clinical diagnosis.
School support and clinical assessment serve different purposes. Classroom support often involves adjustments to instruction, such as visual aids or simplified instructions, which can be implemented quickly. Discuss these strategies with the school before determining if further professional assessment is necessary.
Utilise existing school resources. The SENCO is the primary point of contact for understanding how your child’s communication needs can be managed in the classroom. The Local Offer in your area provides information on the standard support schools should provide.
Questions to ask
In which lessons does communication seem most difficult?
What classroom adjustments has the school already trialled?
How does my child express frustration when they aren’t understood?
What is the plan to review the effectiveness of current support?
Local Northamptonshire route
Check the Local Offer for North or West Northamptonshire to understand local expectations for school support. Contact your local SENDIASS service for free help in navigating these school conversations.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
If you decide to seek external assessment, verify the practitioner's qualifications. Focus on finding someone who provides recommendations that the school can feasibly implement within their resources.
What happens next?
After discussing adjustments, agree on a review period. If the school-based support is effective, continue that route. If further questions arise, use the existing documentation to inform any future requests for expert advice.
Support that may help
School SENCO; SENDIASS; Speech and Language Therapists; Educational Psychologists.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.