All Queensland state schools make
reasonable adjustments to enable children of all abilities to attend school, participate in school activities and access the curriculum.
To support students with speech language communication difficulties, schools are able to access a range of supports and services tailored to meet their individual needs.
Supports at school
Every student with speech language communication difficulties has different needs and will need different reasonable adjustments to attend school, participate in school activities and access the curriculum.
State schools consult parents about the reasonable adjustments that may be made. Students are also consulted as much as possible, depending on their age and individual circumstances.
Reasonable adjustments are identified based on the student’s individual needs and may include adjustments to learning activities, teaching strategies, assessment, communication, use of assistive technology or changes to the learning environment. The student may also need adjustments to support them to engage with peers and to stay healthy and safe. Schools determine the best way to record the individual supports being provided to students at their school.
For more information about common types of reasonable adjustments, refer to the
General information for students with disability page.
Speech language pathologists support teachers to make reasonable adjustments for students with speech language communication difficulties. They may work with the teacher about individual students or assist the school to develop skills and strategies to support all students with speech language communication difficulties.
If you have any questions regarding the supports and reasonable adjustments being provided for your child, or how these are documented, please talk to your child’s classroom teacher or principal.
Other methods of communication
Some students may have difficulties using speech to make themselves understood and require other ways to communicate. This is called augmentative and alternative communication or AAC. AAC methods can include using:
- technology such as apps on an electronic device
- a dedicated speech generating device
- low technology methods such as a communication book (a Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD))
- keyword signing
- facial expressions.
If your child uses AAC they will use more than one method to communicate, just as people who use speaking will sometimes use gestures and facial expressions rather than speech.
If your child is using AAC it is important to talk to the school and your child’s speech pathologist about how they will communicate at school, and the strategies and support your child needs at school to fully participate.
Resources available to schools
Schools are able to access a range of resources and support services to assist them to make reasonable adjustments. Please contact your child’s school to discuss your child’s specific needs.
Schools can access a range of specialist advice to help them make reasonable adjustments including:
Schools are responsible for accessing these supports and resources and may need your consent to access these support services. More information about resources is available at general information for students with disability.
More information about how students can be supported at school can be found on the
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability website: