Inclusive Teaching: Supporting Communication and Interaction Needs

Learn to spot communication and interaction needs early, support learners with ASC and SLCN, and use tools like Makaton in your classroom.

Often, the children who need the most support are the quietest ones. This workshop helps you see what is really going on - and know what to do about it.

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Communication and interaction needs cover a broad range of difficulties - from a child who rarely speaks in class, to a learner showing signs of Autism Spectrum Condition, to a student whose speech is hard to follow. These needs can be easy to overlook, especially in busy classrooms with large numbers of EAL learners where communication differences can be mistaken for language barriers.

This workshop gives you a practical framework for understanding this area of SEN. You will look at how to identify communication and interaction needs early, what to look for in day-to-day observation, and how to create a classroom environment that genuinely supports every child's ability to communicate. The session covers Autism Spectrum Condition in depth, including how ASC can present differently in girls, and explores a range of strategies for supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs - including Makaton, Cued Articulation, recasting, and the 1-to-4 questioning approach.

There is also a practical communication challenge built into the session that gives teachers a direct experience of what it can feel like when communication is difficult. It is a short activity, but teachers consistently say it changes the way they think. This is the third workshop in the English for Asia Inclusive Teaching series. It builds on the themes from Workshops 1 and 2 but can also be attended as a standalone session.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• identify communication and interaction needs and recognise early indicators through observation
• Understand Autism Spectrum Condition and apply practical classroom considerations
• Use Makaton and Cued Articulation to support learners with communication difficulties
• Build a language-rich classroom environment that reduces barriers to participation
• Apply SLCN strategies including recasting, narrating and the 1-to-4 questioning approach
• Have more confident conversations with families about communication and interaction needs

WORKSHOP FORMAT

This is a live, interactive online session. It includes a communication challenge activity that puts teachers briefly in the position of a learner with communication difficulties - a practical and thought-provoking way to build empathy and understanding. The session also includes group discussions and breakout room conversations, with a 10-minute Q&A at the end where participants can share examples from their own classrooms. It is collaborative and practical throughout.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This workshop is for Early Years and primary school teachers (EY to P6) working in EAL and ESL settings, including schools and learning centres in Hong Kong and beyond. It is open to teachers at all career stages.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Live access to the 90-minute session
• Reflection Journal
• ELIM report: Identifying and supporting children's early language needs
• ASC in Early Years resource
• Girls and Autism: Flying Under the Radar guide
• Additional reading and links to helpful resources
• Digital certificate of completion - 1.5 PD hours

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do I need to have attended Workshops 1 or 2 first?

A: No. This session works as a standalone workshop, though it does build on themes from the earlier sessions in the series.

Q: What is Cued Articulation?

A: Cued Articulation is a system of hand cues that represent individual speech sounds. It is used to support children who have difficulty producing or distinguishing sounds accurately.

Q: Is this relevant for teachers outside Hong Kong?

A: Yes. The strategies and frameworks apply to inclusive primary settings internationally.

Q: What will I walk away with?

A: Practical strategies for supporting communication and interaction needs, an introduction to Makaton and Cued Articulation, classroom resources, and a clearer picture of how ASC can present in your setting.

Date & Time: Wednesday 27 May 2026, 6:30PM - 8:00PM HKT

Duration: 90 minutes

Format: Live online webinar

Price: HK$200

Whether you are new to this area or looking to build on what you already know, this session will give you something practical to take back to your classroom. Reserve your place now.

About Our Trainers

This workshop series is led by a dedicated team of experts in inclusive education. With extensive, hands-on experience teaching students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) both internationally and right here in Hong Kong, our facilitators deeply understand the realities of the modern classroom. They bring a wealth of practical strategies, global best practices, and a compassionate approach to help you confidently support every learner in your classroom.

For the best experience, attendees should have:

• a computer or ipad style device (a phone will also work)

• stable internet access

• a headset with microphone

• a webcam