Starting School with Speech & Language Difficulties

Starting school is a big step for any child and if your child has speech and language difficulties, autism, or another communication disorder, it can feel even more overwhelming. You might be wondering how to prepare your child, what to tell the school, and how to make the first days easier.

The good news is that with the right strategies, starting school can be a positive and successful experience for both you and your child. Here are some practical, parent-friendly tips from our team of Speech & Language Therapists to help you feel ready.

1. Start Preparing Your Child Early

Lead Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, Lorna Bailey shares the advice below:

Children with speech and language needs often benefit from extra time to adjust to new situations. The small steps below will help to reduce anxiety and to give them more confidence in their new environment.

Walk or drive past the new school before school starts, so it starts to feel familiar.
If the school has a website, show them photos of the school; classrooms, playground, teachers. Or you can ask the school to share some photos with you in preparation.
Read picture books about starting school and talk about what will be the same or different.

2. Share Key Information with the School

You are the expert on your child. Teachers and support staff will want to know:

Your child’s strengths and interests.
Their communication style (spoken language, signs, symbols, or AAC devices).
Triggers that cause stress, and strategies that help.

Arrange a meeting with the teacher or SEN (Special Educational Needs) Lead before term starts. Bring any speech and language therapy reports or recommendations so staff can prepare the right support.

3. Practice Everyday Skills at Home

Daily routines can be just as challenging as lessons. Before school starts, practice:

Putting on and taking off school uniform.
Opening lunchboxes and drink bottles.
Packing and unpacking a school bag.
Using phrases that they might hear: “Time to tidy up,” “Let’s sit on the carpet,” “good listening”

Praise every small success, confidence grows from repeated, positive experiences.

4. Support Their Communication Needs

If your child uses a communication device, sign language, or visual symbols, make sure that these are available in school.

Provide staff with a quick-reference guide on how your child communicates.
Remind teachers to allow extra time for responses.
Check that the device with their AAC App is charged and ready each day.

5. Plan for Sensory Comfort

Lead Speech & Language Therapist Nick Booth advises that many children with specialist needs will struggle with sensory overload, changes in routine, new vocabulary, and social expectations.

Pre-teaching helps reduce anxiety and builds familiarity, making the unknown feel more manageable. Nick suggests:

Practice wearing school clothes and shoes in advance.
Ask if your child can visit the classroom when it’s quiet.
Identify a calm space they can use if things feel overwhelming.
Role play a school day using dolls, teddies, or action figures – arriving, saying hello, hanging up a coat, sitting for circle time, snack routines, playtime, etc.

Keep it short, fun and interactive and repeat these steps over several days.

6. Use Visual Supports

Visual timetables, Now & Next boards, and picture cues can help children to understand routines.

Share visuals you’ve used successfully at home.
Ask if the school can provide similar supports in class.

7. Make the First Days Gentle

A phased start or shorter sessions can help your child to settle in without becoming overwhelmed. Keep in touch with staff regularly to share what’s working and to address any challenges quickly.

8. Be Aware of Shared Anxiety

Speech & Language Therapist, Charlotte Jarman regularly practices the Verve Approach and shares this advice.

“If your child shares worries about starting school, acknowledge their feelings with warmth and a listening ear, but try not to ‘feed’ the anxiety with lots of extra words or rush to offer solutions. Simply being heard can be very reassuring. And remember, children are quick to pick up on our emotions, so do your best not to ‘leak’ any anxiety you might be feeling yourself.”

Get the Right Support

Supporting a child with communication needs can be rewarding but also emotionally demanding. There will be many parents with children starting school with speech and language difficulties . Connect with other parents, join local support networks, and lean on your child’s therapy team for guidance.

Remember, every child’s journey is unique but with early preparation, open communication, and the right support, your child can start school feeling safe, understood, and ready to learn.

However, if you’d like extra speech & language support, get in touch today – our team of friendly therapists can guide you every step of the way.