Social communication is the way we use language and non-verbal cues to pick up on unspoken social rules and to share thoughts, emotions, and experiences with others. For some people, differences in social communication may be linked to speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), which affect how they understand and use language in social contexts.
It includes:
Verbal (speech): tone, intonation, emphasis and volume.
Non-verbal (body language): using and understanding gestures, interpreting facial expressions, using eye contact, posture, touch, and awareness of personal space.
When someone has social communication needs, it means they experience ongoing challenges with using verbal and non-verbal communication in social situations. This can affect their ability to:
Some social communication differences are linked to speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). This can include differences in understanding and using language, including in social situations.
Support may include assessment and intervention from Speech and Language Therapy services.
Find out more about speech, language and communication.
Social communication needs vary widely, but they can affect:
For some people, social communication needs can lead to a social communication difficulties (SCD) diagnosis.
This can occur:
Not everyone with social communication needs is autistic, and support should be based on need rather than diagnosis.
The London Borough of Bromley is committed to supporting families whose children have social communication differences, including autism, ensuring they can access the help and guidance they need.
The Social Communication Needs including Autism Family Support Service provides information and advice to parents and carers of children with social communication needs. This service is referred to as ‘SCAN’ and helps parents and carers to navigate the support options available in Bromley and nationally.
The SCAN service informs families of the accessible and supportive universal, targeted, and specialist provision available so that families can feel supported at home, in education, and in their community.
The SCAN service:
The SCAN family support service sits within Bromley’s Early Intervention and Family Support Services, under the Bromley Children Project, which is a borough wide service that supports all families living in Bromley.
Contact: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 2pm.
Email: SocialCommunicationNeeds@bromley.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 461 7259
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service is commissioned by Bromley Council and compliments the Social Communication Needs (inc Autism) Family Support Service (SCAN). The service is only available through referral from the SCAN Family Support Service and other key professionals.
Their specialist service is delivered by two experienced autism family support workers and offers:
Support could be specifically related to the child’s needs or to the family situation, for example, help with welfare benefit claims and housing. All support will be tailored to the needs of each family.
Many families experience periods that are more challenging when specialist support is required. Once intensive support is completed, families will return to the support of the universal family support service at Bromley Children Project.
Bromley Mental Health Hub
Supporting mental health of children, young people and their families. Find out more about Bromley Mental Health Hub.
Bromley Well
Provide free and confidential services to help improve and maintain health and wellbeing for those 18+. Bromley Well also support young people aged 4-19 who care for others and adults aged 19+ who care for others, including those caring for people with poor mental health. Find out more about Bromley Well.
Bromley Y
Free support for children, young people and their families. Bromley Y promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their parents/carers by enabling change, fostering resilience and helping them build healthy relationships. Find out more information about Bromley Y.
CANDI
A not for profit, client-led organisation providing social, vocational and enterprise opportunities for the 16+ Neurodiverse Community. Offering wellbeing and creative workshops and clubs and a safe and supportive space within Rhiannons Café in Bromley. Find out more information about CANDI.
CASPA
A local charity providing advice, support and life skill development opportunities.
Social clubs for all ages including LGBTQA+, specialist projects, holiday programmes, residential trips, family support, monitored Parent/Carer WhatsApp and much more. Find out more information about CASPA.
Destiny Children & Family Support Group
Provides creative social activities for children with special educational needs or disabilities, and a support group for families with children who have autism, ADHD, speech and language, social, emotional, or other special needs. Find out more about Destiny Children & Family Support Group.
Oakonsult
Delivers workshops, training, practical sessions and therapeutic approaches to parent carers of children with SEND from the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) community. Find out more information about Oakonsult.
Rhiannons Café
Staffed by a neurodivergent team, Rhiannon’s Café is a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Find out more information about Rhiannons Café.
National Autistic Society
The UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes, and create a society that works for autistic people. Find out more information about the National Autistic Society.
Ambitious About Autism
The national charity for Autistic children and young people. They provide information, training, and support, run a range of high-quality services including the pioneering treehouse school, and campaign to make the ordinary possible for autistic children and young people. For more information, visit Ambitious about Autism.
Autism Education Trust (AET)
AET offer an extensive library of free resources for education professionals, leaders, and parents on topics such as exclusion, good autism practice, positive relationships and a free guide for families and carers. Find out more information about the Autism Education Trust.
NHS
The NHS provides a wealth of information about SCD and autism including recognising the signs, getting a diagnosis and the support available to families.
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
Offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals, and other organisations. For more information visit IPSEA or enquire by booking an appointment.
Autistic Girls Network
The network campaign for better recognition and diagnosis of autistic girls and to support them in finding their identity and feeling understood.
They sign post you to support networks, organisations and resources and provide a safe space to ask questions, raise concerns and share experiences in a private Facebook group.
Read their white paper, Autism, Girls and keeping it all inside.
Ambitious About Autism – Right from the Start
The Right from the Start toolkit has been created by Ambitious About Autism contains information to guide parents and carers through their child’s journey in the early years.
Ambitious About Autism – employment toolkits
Offer free employment toolkits to support employers learn about autism inclusion services.
Autism alert card scheme – National Police Autism Association
Autism Alert Cards alert police officers that the individual may communicate or behave differently. This helps officers make appropriate and reasonable adjustments in order to interact with the individual appropriately. Find out more about the autism alert card scheme.
A is for Autism
A useful guide aimed at professionals/businesses that is also useful for families.
Autism Central
Autism Central is a programme aimed at helping families and carers to learn more about autism and signpost them to useful resources and learning.
Autism Level Up!
Autism Level UP! provides tools and support made by and for autistic or neurodivergent people, but also for those supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Autistic Parents UK
Autistic parents UK is a national autistic-led charity offering essential support services, resources, education and a thriving community for Autistic parents.
Autism Referral Pathway Leaflet
The Autism Referral Pathway leaflet has been co-produced for those seeking a diagnosis and their families, providing key information and signposting to available support.
Access Card is a universal way of communicating access requirements for someone with a disability. This may include discounted tickets for theatres at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (DMT) venues.
More information about using an Access Card or registration number at a DMT venue can be found on the Access Card website.
b-Hive
b-Hive offer information about the range of therapies that support the communication development, physical skills and independence of children, teenagers, and young adults in Bromley.
CBeebies autism stories
5-year-old Pablo is on the autistic spectrum. He creates imaginary friends who come to life, and together they go on fun adventures and cope with tricky day-to-day situations. Find episodes.
Cbeebies also have videos to help parents and carers to talk to your child about autism.
Hear about the autism spectrum, told through children’s personal experiences, Watch their stories.
CEA Card
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
Cerebra
Cerebra offer a factsheet to provide information and useful resources to parents who suspect that their child may have autism. It explains how to obtain an autism assessment, highlights the importance of a timely diagnosis and what support you and your child may be entitled to if a diagnosis is made.
Do you know…? guide
The Do you know …? guide for families with children and teenagers who have social and communication difficulties including autism, has information about support services in Bromley.
MyMax Card
The My Max Card is a discount card for families of children with disabilities. It can help you save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and more across the UK. To get a My Max card you need to register your child on the Bromley Children’s Disability Register.
Radar Keys
The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores.
Useful links:
Some children and young people with social communication needs may also be autistic. Find autism specific information on our Autism page.
