1. Supporting young people with communication difficulties:
Employers’ presentation 1

2. Welcome, introductions and housekeeping
Welcome to the course – we hope you enjoy it
Today we’ll be working together in teams – and there are points to be won!
Fire drill
Turn mobiles to silent
Toilets
Break
Ask questions as we go
Information is in your Participant Packs

3. Learning outcomes Today we hope that you will:
be more aware of the skills involved in communication
find out about some of the difficulties that young people can have with speech, language and communication
think about how these difficulties can affect their ability to engage with others and make progress in the workplace 3

4. Learning outcomes We also hope that you will:
learn some practical ways to support young people with these difficulties
think about how organisations in contact with young people with these difficulties can be supportive and inclusive
enjoy the short course!

5. Introducing the ‘communication chain’ …
… which we think is more like a chain reaction
Each ‘domino’ has to do its bit so that all the following ones can work too – and all in a split second!

6. Communication chain
The first stage is noticing that someone is speaking to you

7. Communication chain
Next you look at the other person and listen to what they are saying ....

8. Communication chain Then you have to hear the words …
… understand what they mean
… and put them together to make sentences that make sense

9. Communication chain
Then you look at the other person’s expression and body language …

10. Communication chain
… put all that together to understand what has been said.

11. Communication chain Then you need to reply …
So, you get an idea about what to say …

12. Communication chain
... decide what’s appropriate depending on who you’re talking to
and where you are...

13. Communication chain … find the right words in your memory
… put them together to make sentences

14. Communication chain
… choose the right expression and body language

15. Communication chain
… programme your speech muscles
… and speak!

16. Communication chain
Check out the other person’s expression, and you’ve got it!
Then you have to keep the conversation going!
But many young people have difficulties with different parts of this chain reaction

17. Role cards
In groups, have a conversation about something you’re interested in
You must do this using the instructions on your role card, but don’t show anyone else this card
The trainers will tell you when to stop, after a couple of minutes

18. Role cards Communication difficulties can lead to feeling: Frustrated
Tired
Stupid
Lacking in self-worth
Withdrawn
Angry
Panicked
Confused

19. Case study exercise
Read your case study and discuss it in your group: What difficulties with speech, language and communication does the young person have?
Prepare to explain your ideas to the other teams

20. The difficulties we discussed illustrate different types of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN):
SLCN you are born with
SLCN influenced by circumstances
Receptive language difficulties (problems with understanding) – Rashid
Expressive language difficulties (problems with saying what you mean) – Evan
Language and communication difficulties associated with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder - Amber
‘Poor language skills’ – happen for different and complex reasons.
The quality of Paul’s early interactions has influenced his language and communication development.

21. Receptive language difficulties
These young people may have problems:
following long and/or complicated instructions
keeping up in conversations and managing in a group
understanding big words or technical/unfamiliar words
Understanding what’s ‘not obvious’ and ‘getting’ jokes
with memory and organisational skills

22. Expressive language difficulties
These young people may have problems:
talking and explaining in an organised way
recalling the right words to use
using the correct sounds in complicated words
giving enough information in their descriptions
keeping conversation going
These difficulties mean they often get frustrated at not being able to say what they mean

23. Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Asperger syndrome
These young people may have problems with:
non-verbal communication
conversational skills
using the right style of speech to suit the situation
focusing their attention
understanding what’s ‘not obvious’ and ‘getting’ jokes
using (and fully understanding) complex words and phrases
working out what other people are thinking and feeling

24. ‘Poor language skills’
These young people may have problems:
following long and/or complicated instructions
understanding big words or remembering new words to use
problem-solving and linking cause and effect
understanding and talking about things that you can’t see, like time and emotions
understanding and using the right style of speech to suit the situation
explaining their ideas in a clear and organised way

25. League table of communication difficulties1
Game rules
Over 60 young people with communication difficulties were asked what they found difficult when communicating
Decide which of the 10 difficulties got the most votes for being a problem. There are points for positioning difficulties correctly
MOST difficult 10
LEAST difficult

26. 10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

27. 9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

28. 8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

29. 8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

30. 6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

31. 5. People not giving you enough time to say something
You can’t get the answer in a second
6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

32. 4. People talking too fast
I say yes but don’t have a clue what they’ve just said
5. People not giving you enough time to say something
You can’t get the answer in a second
6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

33. 3. Explaining something to a group 4. People talking too fast
I don’t know what to say and no one will know what it means
4. People talking too fast
I say yes but don’t have a clue what they’ve just said
5. People not giving you enough time to say something
You can’t get the answer in a second
6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

34. 2. Knowing what you want to say but the words won’t come out
It make you feel anxious because the words don’t come out and you can’t breathe
3. Explaining something to a group
I don’t know what to say and no one will know what it means
4. People talking too fast
I say yes but don’t have a clue what they’ve just said
5. People not giving you enough time to say something
You can’t get the answer in a second
6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

35. 1. People saying too many things all at once
If I have too many things in my head I just forget it
2. Knowing what you want to say but the words won’t come out
It make you feel anxious because the words don’t come out and you can’t breathe
3. Explaining something to a group
I don’t know what to say and no one will know what it means
4. People talking too fast
I say yes but don’t have a clue what they’ve just said
5. People not giving you enough time to say something
You can’t get the answer in a second
6. Working out what other people are thinking
This can cause arguments
7. People using big words
I can’t figure what they’re saying and when they explain again they still use big words
8. Talking to different types of people in different ways
I talk to them all in the same way
9. Cooperating with others to get a job done
People don’t take notice of your opinions
10. Asking questions when you’re not sure
Difficult to explain what I’m questioning

36. ‘Too much talk’
This short film shows a young person’s first day in a commercial kitchen.
You’ll get points for:
pointing out what the chef does well
suggesting what the chef could do better to help the young person

37. ‘Customer service?’
This short film shows a young person (Jessica) starting work in a women’s clothing shop.
You’ll get points for:
pointing out what went wrong
Suggesting how Jessica could be helped to improve her customer service skills

38. ‘Friendship or friendliness’
This short film shows a young person (Becky) on her first day of work experience in an office.
You’ll get points for:
suggesting how the boss should sort out this difficulty

39. Supporting communication difficulties in the workplace
Think about 12 possible changes an organisation can make to help a young person with communication difficulties
Arrange them from MOST helpful to LEAST helpful
Prepare to explain your ideas to the other teams
Most helpful
Least helpful

40. Why do we need to think about communication skills?
Young people with communication needs are not that rare, so communication-supportive practice will benefit more people than you think
10% of all children have long-term speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) (Law et al, 2000)
In some disadvantaged communities, approximately 50% of children have speech and language skills that are significantly lower than those of other children of the same age (Lindsay, 2008)

41. Quiz: Q1
How many new words do children and young people learn during their school years?
One per day
Three per day
Seven per day
Ten per day

42. Quiz: Q1 answer
How many new words do children and young people learn during their school years?
One per day
Three per day
Seven per day
Ten per day

43. Quiz: Q2
What percentage of parents think current education DOESN’T prepare young people for work?
86%
66%
46%
26%

44. Quiz: Q2 answer
What percentage of parents think current education DOESN’T prepare young people for work?
86%
66%
46%
26%
Source: City and Guilds, ‘UK Education System Not Fit for Purpose, Parents Say’ (2014).

45. Quiz: Q3
Nearly all UK employers believe soft skills are important to business success, and over half say skills like communication and teamwork are more important than traditional academic results.
But what percentage of employees have never included soft skills on their CV?
94%
74%
54%
34%

46. Quiz: Q3 answer
Nearly all UK employers believe soft skills are important to business success, and over half say skills like communication and teamwork are more important than traditional academic results.
But what percentage of employees have never included soft skills on their CV?
94%
74%
54%
34%
Source: Development Economics Ltd, January 2015 and YouGov Plc, September 2014.

47. Quiz: Q4
What percentage of employers believe all school and college students should take part in work experience?
94%
84%
74%
64%

48. Quiz: Q4 answer
What percentage of employers believe all school and college students should take part in work experience?
94%
84%
74%
64%
Employment and Skills Forum, ASDAN (2012)

49. Reflect and discuss
How can what I have learned today be put into practice in my organisation?
What simple changes can I make?

50. Which team is the winner?
Add up the points and see which team has won the most points
And the winning team is …

51. Please take the time to fill in the Evaluation form
Thank you for your time and interest

52. Raise awareness of the importance of children and young people’s communication
Provide information about children and young people’s communication development
Deliver evidenced-based solutions that help children and young people
Run specialist schools for children and young people with complex needs
What we do

53. Get in touch W: www.ican.org.uk W:www.talkingpoint.org.ukE: T:
Get in touch
Call to book your free and confidential call-back from a speech and language therapist. 53