Art and design at KS3 and communication difficulties

Challenges will be similar to those at KS1 and KS2 but more pronounced as the use of language becomes more focused on recording.

Work with a speech and language therapist and support the pupil in as visual a way as possible and with a practically-based curriculum.

You can:

• Use a variety of methods of recording the pupil’s work, as in KS2. 
• Once various techniques have been established for the pupil, try to focus on helping them to be creative by using sensory input such as music, smells, and the inspiration of other artists as a stepping stone to developing their own ideas. Whereas a pupil’s vocabulary is limited, verbal prompts alone will not be effective.
• Help the pupil to focus on a particular interest they have, if relevant – for example dogs, horses, boats, trees. Their interest can be used as a launch platform to see other artists’ works on that particular subject.
• Try supporting the pupil in the medium of digital work in art as a means of communication, and encourage photography as a means of self-expression.