Science and communication difficulties at P level 5

The challenge for all children with communication difficulties is to build up a bigger vocabulary and to communicate with others effectively. It is important that communication difficulties do not impact on assessment and the pupil’s understanding of scientific concepts.

They will probably enjoy the practical aspects of science – encourage this so they won’t be deterred by communication issues.

Read the suggestions for children with communication difficulties and numeracy at P level 5 as they also apply to science.

Ensure that any assessment of a pupil is assessing the concepts rather than the pupil’s ability to discuss what they are doing. Understanding the concepts could be assessed though practical activities and asking what might happen next, or what has happened.

Also see the section on communication difficulties that applies across subject areas and levels for an explanation of the main issues and strategies to use in each case.