Speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of challenges pupils may face that can make writing more demanding.

Clicker has many features that can support the transition from spoken language to independent writing. In this blog post, I will show you how a selection of different Clicker Sets can be used to help learners develop crucial skills for successful communication.

Clicker Boards

Clicker Boards provide a visual, interactive space where pupils can explore and organise ideas using words, pictures, and audio.

This makes them ideal for developing vocabulary, background knowledge, and conceptual understanding, areas where many pupils with SLCN need targeted support.

Clicker Board is a flexible tool that can be used in a variety of ways. This includes sorting activities, which help learners understand classifications and concepts, and as a tool for accessible vocabulary collection.

Clicker Boards also make a wonderful collaborative activity. When learners work on a Clicker Board together, they are encouraged to share ideas and explore new vocabulary. They can be used on individual devices or displayed on a big screen for everyone to access together.

Connect Sets

Pupils with SLCN can often struggle to organise their ideas and create sentences. Connect Sets offer them a writing scaffold full of ideas and vocabulary options but still give them flexibility in the sentences they create.

Being able to select vocabulary without having to generate it reduces the cognitive load of writing. Pupils can focus on meaning, order, and communication rather than spelling or word recall.

Connect Sets enable pupils to produce meaningful language independently, supporting confidence and reducing reliance on adult support within lessons. When combined with Widgit Symbols, Connect Sets provide accessible scaffolding for pupils who struggle with expressive language.

We have thousands of ready-made resources within LearningGrids for teachers and school staff to use. All of the resources can be edited to give pupils the specific support they need whilst still accessing the same resources as their peers.

Talk Sets

Talk Sets support spoken language through structured recording activities. They are especially useful for pupils who need time to process language or practise speaking before sharing with others.

There are three types of Talk Sets:

• Listen and Say: The learner listens to a recording of new words, then practises saying them with the Sound Recorder.
  
  
• Talk About: The learner can click on an image to record their thoughts and understanding of the topic it represents.
  
  
• Tell the Story: The learner has a series of images that follow a sequence, and they can record themselves talking about each one to tell the story from start to finish.

Each type of Talk Set enables pupils to practise speaking without pressure, repeat recordings, and listen back to their own voice. They also include images or prompts, so pupils can structure explanations, recount events, or practise vocabulary in a clear order.

You can find more information about this topic by watching our on-demand webinar recording: Using Clicker to support pupils with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN).

If you want to know more about how Clicker can support the varying needs of your cohort, you can take a look at these blogs:

• SEND white paper: How Clicker supports an inclusive approach
  
  
• LearningGrids: Reading and writing resources for adaptive teaching
  
  
• Supporting EAL learners in the classroom with Clicker

And for personalised advice on using Clicker with your learners, you can book a customer care meeting at any point during your subscription.