Communication interventions

Who is suitable for a communication intervention?

At HSR Psychology, any child or young person up to the age of 25 may benefit from a communication intervention, depending on the needs of the individual.

Communication interventions may be suggested for young people who:

• Struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings
• Have difficulties understanding what is being said or gestured to them
• Struggle to recognise social cues
• Are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC)
• Who use behaviour to try to communicate e.g. through hitting
• Are not reaching communication milestones when expected e.g. not babbling
• Avoid social interaction due to communication difficulties
• Struggle to actively listen to others

If you are interested in how a communication intervention could be effective for you or someone you know then please speak to a member of our team to find out more.

What are the benefits of a communication intervention?

Communication interventions can help advance the child or young adult’s skills, including being able to:

• Increase the use of verbal language, where possible
• Use non-verbal gestures to communicate
• Recognise non-verbal gestures in others e.g facial expressions
• Use alternative ways to communicate, e.g. Makaton, PECS
• Have an increased understanding of social cues
• Increased interaction with others
• Increased confidence in regards to communication

Following a communication intervention, recommendations will be provided for how best to support the child or young person. Recommendations are useful for maintaining the individual’s communication skills in everyday life.

What happens prior to a communication intervention?

Communication interventions can be discussed during your initial discussion. Please read about our process below.

What happens during a communication intervention?

A communication intervention can involve several different aspects, depending on the child or young person’s needs. For children or young people who have an autistic spectrum condition (ASC), the HSR Psychology professional may use visual techniques such as the picture exchange communication system (PECS) or other visual systems (Makaton). A communication intervention will give the child or young person an understanding of communication techniques such as facial expressions, non-verbal gestures and active listening. The individual will then have the opportunity to use their new communication techniques between sessions and then reflect on the effectiveness of them within sessions.

What happens after a communication intervention?

After a communication intervention the child, teen or young adult will be able to recognise when someone is communicating with them and will then be able to use techniques to respond for example, using facial expressions. Following a communication intervention it may be beneficial to carry out a series of follow up sessions, if recommended. Outcomes from a communication intervention can be explained through a feedback session, and a written report, if necessary. We will continue to support you through the whole intervention process. This is why we provide the option to deliver follow up support.

Does a communication intervention come with a report?

We will always recommend a report following any intervention with us, which includes: what took place, the outcomes of our involvement and suggestions for going forward into the future. A comprehensive report can be written following a communication intervention highlighting effective strategies for communicating. A report from a communication intervention can be used for many reasons, such as: medical use, personal use, support with an application, school use, funding and support, or evidence for a different reason. Reasons for requesting a communication intervention vary, and if a written report isn’t needed then feedback can be provided verbally with a brief summary. You can Read more about our reports here.