Katie Little is a Special Needs Coordinator (SENCo) at an inner-city school in Bradford. She has worked in mainstream primary schools for over 20 years across the Bradford and Keighley area and has been a SENCo for over six years. Katie is passionate about supporting all children with additional needs, particularly those with Developmental Language Disorder. She has previously worked in an outstanding school where she was instrumental in developing pathways, processes, school guidance and training for SEND. Katie champions self-advocacy in students and strives to enable pupils to understand and achieve their own potential, working closely with families and practitioners collaboratively.

About the Author

Introduction

1 Developmental Language Disorder

What Is Developmental Language Disorder?

What Are the Signs of DLD?

What Challenges Do Children and Young People with DLD Face?

Why Is it Important to Act Now and Why Include Universal Strategies for All?

Why Is it More Prevalent Today and What Are the Challenges that Schools Face?

The Importance of Developing a Holistic Approach to DLD which Includes Families and Children

Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day

References

Chapter 1 Resources Section

2 Classroom Culture and the Learning Environment

Creating a Safe and Secure Learning Environment

Creating a Positive Classroom Culture

Building Positive Relationships

Reducing Extraneous Cognitive Load

Economy of Language and Extra Processing Time

References

Chapter 2 Resources Section

3 Vocabulary Development

The Importance of Vocabulary

Vocabulary Exploration and Development

Discussions and Good Talk

Emotional Development and Regulation

References

Recommended Books and Websites

Chapter 3 Resources Section

4 The Use of Visuals

The Importance of Visuals

Timetables and Boards

Displays and Classroom Resources

Learning Tasks and Activities

References

Chapter 4 Resources Section

5 Transition

Transition

A Whole-class Transition Social Story

References

Chapter 5 Resources Section

Conclusion

Index