Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) is a specialised service that helps children and adults overcome difficulties with speech, language, and communication. For children, SLT can support their ability to express themselves, understand what others are saying, and develop social communication skills. It’s a crucial intervention for children who may have delays in speech or language development, speech disorders, stuttering, or neurodivergent conditions like autism, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, ADHD, other learning disabilities, or hearing impairments.
Speech = the sounds that we listen to, and the sounds that we make with our articulators (teeth, lips and tongue).
Language = the words that we use and understand, building vocabulary together to make sentences
Social communication = the way we use our body language, facial expressions, turn taking and pragmatic skills to socially use language.
Pre-speech and language skills = Attention and listening and phonological awareness
What would a normal session look like?
1. Initial assessment
A speech and language therapist starts by giving an initial consultation with parents. This meeting will take approximately 45 minutes ,and we will include a formal written report which will outline the next steps and any advice given.
2. Targeted activities
Based on the assessment, the therapist will design activities aimed at the child’s goals. For younger children, these activities are usually play-based to keep them engaged and interested. Examples include:
- Games that focus on listening skills, vocabulary development, or practicing specific sounds.
- Storytelling or picture-based activities that encourage the child to use words, make sentences, or understand the meaning of new words.
- Articulation practice, where a child might practice specific sounds or word patterns with repetition and feedback.
3. Interactive commmunication
The therapist may role-play or engage in conversation practice to develop social communication skills, helping the child understand how to take turns, ask questions, or make requests.
4. Parental involvement
Many sessions include parents or caregivers, who will learn strategies and techniques to reinforce learning at home.
5. Progress monitoring
Each session typically ends with a recap of what the child has worked on and an outline of what they will focus on in future sessions. The therapist may set "homework" activities to help continue progress between sessions.
Speech and language therapy is a highly individualised process, so every child’s experience may differ based on their unique needs. The goal is to make therapy engaging and supportive, fostering improvements in communication that will enhance the child’s confidence and ability to interact with others effectively.