The Head of Impact and Evidence at I CAN children’s communication charity has written a guest blog for Children’s Mental Health Week in connection with the topics: communication difficulties and mental health challenges.
For many children and young people expressing themselves can be very hard. It is very important though, as communication provides an optimal level of wellbeing and resilience.
Which skills are needed?
- one needs to understand the grammatical structures and sentences
- one needs to find out the underlying meaning and intention of the speaker
- one should know how to put sounds together to make words and sentences
Children, who have difficulties with communication skills, can be frustrated in schools: they can’t join in activities, or make friends. As they get older, it can be even more disturbing. In secondary school the language load gets more complex and social skills are also required.
According to research, a little less than 50% of youngster referred to mental health services have communication difficulties. A sense of isolation, confusion and frustration can all lead to poor mental health. What’s more is that 81% of children with emotional and behavioural disorders have significant language deficits, which is often unidentified.
Some strategies you can try out:
- have visual support for information or activities
- use pictures, photos, diagrams or symbols
- try to avoid long sentences
- leave time for the answers
- make sure children understood you properly
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