Symbol-based boards have been installed in parks across Wales to
help children with speech and language barriers communicate
easily.
Communication boards display symbols for common words, in Welsh
and English, like ‘happy', ‘want' and ‘finished'.
Children with speech difficulties can point to the boards -
designed by specialist speech and language therapists - to
express their wants and needs to others.
The bilingual boards also help non-Welsh speaking families learn
basic Welsh words.
Following a successful pilot in west Wales, £78,000 was invested
by the Welsh Government to roll out the boards across Wales, to
create inclusive play spaces for all children.
Nicole Jacob from Carmarthen spoke about how the boards
have helped her son Rhys' communication.
Nicole said:
"Rhys uses alternative and augmentative communication and seeing
communication boards in our local parks makes our family feel
seen and supported. Rhys struggles with spoken language in busy
places, and carrying communication devices is challenging, so
these boards offer him another way to express himself.
“I've witnessed how the boards help children build relationships.
Friends quickly learn to use them with Rhys, and they have fun
back and forth interactions.
“It's important that young people grow up with an awareness and
appreciation for all types of communication, and the boards
simply normalise alternative communication in our communities."
Research shows that poor speech skills can negatively impact a
child's outcomes, including behaviour, mental health, and being
twice as likely to experience unemployment in adulthood.
Minister for Children and Social Care, said:
"We want every child in Wales to thrive and know that
communication is essential for their future. Children should be
heard and supported to find their voice, in Welsh and English,
regardless of their communication abilities.
“I'm pleased that our investment in these innovative boards will
help bridge communication gaps and is a step towards creating
friendly and inclusive parks.
“The positive feedback from families just shows how small changes
in public spaces can make a huge difference to children's lives
and development.”
Clinical Lead for Augmentative and Alternative
Communication at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Libby
Jeffries said:
“We first introduced these boards in Hywel Dda in 2021 and are
delighted to see them rolled out across Wales.
“The aim of this project was to support families with
communication and play within these public spaces.
“The feedback has been very positive with families using the
boards as a visual means of expressing themselves, to support
them to learn and use Welsh and English words, while also
supporting others to learn about different methods of
communication."
Notes to editors
The roll out of park communication boards was funded by the Welsh
Government's Talk with Me programme.
-
Talk with me | GOV.WALES:
The programme aims to improve speech, language and
communication support for young children in Wales, by
encouraging parents and carers to play, listen and talk with
their children.
