Peer Group

The need for normal peer models of language is often cited for children with specific language impairment. However, whilst the majority of these children will have experienced normal models of language from birth, this has not been sufficient to enable them to develop language.

On the contrary, many children have experienced failure in their attempts to communicate with their peers, and become frustrated, withdrawn or very dependent on adult support.

These children can benefit from the emotional support of a peer group, who have similar difficulties to themselves, providing real opportunities to develop social and communication skills, and self-esteem.

Whereas normal models of language can be too complex for children with severe language difficulties to process, staff within the Unit are able to model language at various levels for particular children and groups, and children are using varying levels of spoken and signed peer language.

Once children have developed a basic competence in spoken language, they are often able to benefit, to a far greater extent, from access to a mainstream peer group, and many children have indeed returned successfully to local mainstream schools.

(Reproduced with kind permission of the Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre, Copyright NHSC)