When you get in touch we will discuss your child's needs in detail. I offer a free 30 minute phone consultation so that we can decide together what we would like to achieve and how. If you have specific goals in mind this is a good time to share them so they can be taken into account when devising your child's care package.
Assessment
This is the first step if your child has not seen a Speech and Language Therapist before. A detailed case history is carried out, where I will gather information on developmental history to date, relevant medical needs, how they communicate with you and others, and your specific concerns. I may carry out an observation of your child, followed by informal or formal assessment. Play is an extremely important part of this, so don't be surprised to see me down on the floor with bag of toys! Older children and young adults may be encouraged to sit at the table to complete assessment tasks.
At the end of this process we will discuss the findings, including your child's strengths as well as the areas they need to develop. This will help you make a decision on future input.
If your child has recently seen an NHS therapist for assessment please let me know as this may impact on the assessments I am able to carry out. Some formal standardised assessment require a specific length of time before they can be administered again.
A review assessment can take place after a therapy block, and consists of monitoring and setting new targets for therapy if appropriate.
Therapy Block
This consists of a series of sessions to work on specific targets or skills. It can also include sessions to help you observe and learn to use specific approaches to support your child's communication or speech development. If your child has a set of targets from their NHS Speech and Language Therapist I am happy to collaborate on these.
Advice / Consultation
Some children need longer term support with their communication. I can help you to explore the different approaches available, or help you to set up alternative ways for your child to communicate if talking is going to be difficult for them. A consultative session can be an excellent way of getting you and your child set up with new approaches in your home, school or nursery. This may include keyword signing, picture based communication, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) or work on their early communication skills via an approach such as Intensive Interaction. Frequency and duration of sessions will depend on your child's needs.
Programme
I can help set up a specific programme of activities and/or strategies for your child to carry out at home or at school. This will be written up after an assessment session and posted out to you, or an additional session can be arranged where I will demonstrate the activities and talk you through the advice.
Reports
Written reports can be provided on request and incur an additional cost. When you have received your copy you are free to distribute it to relevant professionals, provided it is distributed in full, and not copied in part.
