Almost everything we do involves communication; everyday task such as learning at school, asking for food and drink, sorting out problems, making friends and having fun. These all rely on out ability to communicate with each other. Makaton is a language programme using sings and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and the symbols are used with speech in spoken order.

• https://www.makaton.org/

Step into Dance offers pupils a chance to develop their skills through dance. The programme supports the development of dance for those who might not otherwise connect with dance.

• http://www.stepintodance.org/

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disable children's sector in England, with links to the other UK nations.

• https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/

Mencap works to improve the quality of life for those living with learning disabilities. Some of the ways in which they achieve this is by providing round the clock care, helping young people join their local community and provide advice and information on education and employment or helping those live independently for the first time.

• https://www.mencap.org.uk/ 
• http://richmondmencap.org.uk/events/ 

• http://www.hrch.nhs.uk/our-services/services-directory/hounslow-and-richmond/hv-special-needs/

The National Autistic Society gives specialist help, advise and care to those living with autism. They provide support from the stage of diagnosis, to education, transition, life after education and how as a family you can support your child.

• https://www.autism.org.uk/

PECS is an alternative communication system used to develop speech and communication in pupils with special educational needs. PECS consists of six phrases which teaches pupils to ask for desired items by exchanging a picture. The system develops to teach pupils how to construct sentences using pictures to answer questions and request items.

• https://pecs-unitedkingdom.com/

Sense is a charity which supports people with complex communication needs and those who are deafblind to be understood and connected.

• https://www.sense.org.uk/ 

21 & Co is a parent run support group based around South West London and Surrey dedicated to giving support to families who have children and young people with Down's syndrome. Their group meets regularly to share their experiences and give each other advice, support and friendship.

• http://www.21andco.org.uk/ 

Parent View is an online questionnaire that allows parents and carers to give their views about their child’s school at any time. It is also the main mechanism for parents to give their views about their child’s school to inspectors at the time of a school inspection.

• https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education 

Pictologue helps local families, schools, healthcare and community organisations to provide opportunities for successful interaction, positive learning and leisure experiences using pictures to increase the understanding and use of language.

• https://www.pictologue.co.uk/

https://www.achievingforchildren.org.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting/schools-education

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/information-and-advice/assessment-and-education-health-and-care-planning/assessment-and-education-health-and-care-plans-how-to-get-independent-advice-and-support