Talking, Listening and Communicating

Talking, Listening and Communicating At The Levels School

All students across the school have access to a Talking, Listening and Communicating (TLC) group run by specialist Speech and Language Therapists and specialist Occupational Therapists. For some, this is a timetabled lesson; for others, it will be run during tutor time. Both Speech and Language Therapists and the Occupational Therapists are involved in delivering TLC groups, where therapists focus on helping students to ensure that their ability to speak and engage in everyday social situations is as well developed as possible.  

Students are taught using the Zones of Regulation Programme. The Zones of Regulation Programme is a cognitive behavioural approach to teach self-regulation by helping students to understand the different emotions and states of alertness that they feel through four coloured zones. This programme teaches students how to become more aware of their emotions and impulses and it helps them manage this by looking at their sensory needs and increasing their problem-solving skills. We also use the Interoception Curriculum which supports the students understanding how their body feels linking to the different Zones of Regulation. 

This is done through common language and visual displays within each classroom, where students can indicate to their teachers which zone they are in. All staff at The Levels School will use the same common language to help the students regulate their behaviour and staff will be able to suggest ways to get students back into the zone where they are ready to learn. Students also have specific teaching within their TLC sessions with games and strategies to support them in understanding and regulating their behaviour and emotions.

Through their TLC lessons students are taught about neurodiversity which helps them not only understand their own neurodivergent profiles but the profiles of other students within the classroom. 

Understanding Your Neurodivergence

Understanding Your Neurodivergence is a neuroaffirming lesson which is delivered on a weekly basis to Year 7. The lesson aims to educate students on how their brain works, learn about their emotions and mental health and specific lessons on each individual neurodivergence. The final term is a project where they learn to advocate for themselves by creating information videos and interviewing neurodivergent adults.

Owning Your Neurodivergence

 Owning Your Neurodivergence is part of the tutor programme in Year 11 where we educate students on;

• Individual neurodivergences,
• The Equality Act 2010 and their rights under the law,
• How to talk about it in the work place,
• Reasonable adjustments that they can ask for in the work place,
• How to talk to their friends and family about their neurodivergence,
• Mental health support, and
• Further support in the outside world. 

This programme was Highly Commended by the Independent Schools Association Equality and Diversity and Inclusion Award 2023.

The Zones of Regulation

We use the Zones of Regulation programme to support our students' social and emotional development. There are many fantastic resources on the Zones of Regulation website to support parents who want to use the system at home.

Visit The Zones Of Regulation

Downloadable Resources

If you're looking to support your child's social skills at home, try these free downloadable resources made by our in-house therapy team.