My child is not following instructions

Understanding of language may also be referred to as receptive language or comprehension. This is the ability to make sense of spoken information.

Children with difficulties understanding language may:

Not follow instructions correctly
Appear to ignore you
Repeat all/parts of questions and instructions rather than responding to them
Repeat words or phrases rather than generating their own
Follow the classroom routine by watching what other children are doing
Find activities which rely on listening to language difficult to cope with
Have good mechanical reading but lack true understanding e.g. can read a book by rote but cannot answer questions about what they have read
Have difficulty remembering information
Use strategies to cover up difficulties understanding e.g. changing the subject or watching the speaker’s face to guess the answer

Strategies to support understanding of language in school

Gain the child’s attention before speaking by saying their name or physical prompts, such as touching their arm
Try to minimise distractions
Be aware of the child’s level of understanding
Simplify your vocabulary (words) and sentences
Reduce your sentence length, breaking into manageable chunks
Repeat key words and rephrase instructions as necessary
Speak slowly – use pause and emphasis to highlight the key information
Use visual prompts to support your language e.g. gesture, pictures, objects, mind mapping
Give the child plenty of time to listen and respond
Check the child understands the task (e.g. ask them to repeat or paraphrase the instruction)
Encourage the child to ask for help if something’s not understood
Give extra time for teaching new concepts and vocabulary
Try to avoid using abstract concepts such as “before” or “after” when giving instructions
Encourage the child to use strategies in processing information, such as silent rehearsal of the instruction, or identifying important words in the instruction
Encourage the child to ask for help when they are not sure of what to do

Start by trying some of the tips provided. If your concerns persist, you can arrange a meeting with your child’s class teacher or the school ALNCO (Additional Learning Needs Coordinator). They can provide more insight into how your child is communicating at school.

Many schools are experienced in carrying out speech and language screenings to identify children who might need support. These screenings help create tailored programmes that trained school staff can implement. Often, this is all the support your child needs.

In some cases, schools can also work with Specialist Teachers, who have extra training in Speech, Language, and Communication Needs. If your child doesn’t show progress with the school-based program, teachers can discuss your child’s development with a Specialist Teacher. These teachers closely collaborate with NHS Speech and Language Therapists, who can offer guidance on whether further help is needed.

In some cases, a referral to the NHS Speech and Language Therapy service may be appropriate for assessment and advice. School staff are in the best position to provide information about how your child’s communication is affecting their learning and relationships. They can also share what support they have already put in place to assist your child’s speech, language, and communication development. As a result, we recommend that they refer your child to the service.

Further information to support with communication is also available through: