What is Speech and Language therapy?
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) helps children who have difficulties with speech, language, communication, and swallowing. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) work with children to help them talk, understand language, and communicate more clearly. They also support children with eating and drinking problems. Speech and language therapy (SLT) provides treatment, support and care for children in a range of areas, for example:
Receptive language
Expressive language
Speech sounds
Hearing loss
Cleft palate
Stammering
Autism
Social communication
Voice disorders
Selective mutism
Swallowing difficulties
What happens in Speech and Language Therapy?
1. Assessment
The first step is an assessment where the SLT will look at your child’s speech, language, and communication skills. They may observe your child, ask questions, or use simple tests to understand their needs. Once a child has been assessed the SLT will work with the child and family to identify the child’s communication goals as well as their personal goals which may impact therapy. Any speech and language assessment can feed into a multi-disciplinary assessment to form a vital part of the child and any therapy and support they may receive.
2. Therapy Plan
After the assessment, the SLT will create a therapy plan that is just right for your child. The plan will focus on the areas where your child needs help, such as improving their speech, learning to follow instructions, or using language in social settings.
3. Therapy Sessions
Training professionals
Upskilling and educating families
Direct therapy to target:
Narrative
Receptive language
Expressive language
Speech sounds
Social communication
Introducing alternative and augmented communication (AAC)
Providing a programme of support to those working with the child and family
How Speech and Language Therapy Helps
Better Communication: Therapy helps children express themselves clearly, making it easier for them to talk to family, friends, and teachers.
Improved Understanding: Children can follow instructions and understand what others are saying more easily.
Confidence: As children improve their language skills, they often become more confident in social situations, whether at home, at school, or with friends.
Safer Eating and Drinking: If your child has trouble swallowing, therapy can reduce the risk of choking and help them eat and drink more safely.
How You Can Help
Talk and Listen: Spend time talking with your child every day. Try to avoid asking questions, and instead use declarative language including commenting and narrating what is going on around you.
Read Together: Reading books together helps improve vocabulary and understanding of language. Ask your child questions about the story to encourage comprehension.
Be Patient: Give your child plenty of time to talk and try not to interrupt. Encourage them to express themselves in their own words.
Model Correct Speech: If your child makes a mistake, gently repeat the sentence with the correct words or sounds. For example, if they say “wabbit,” you can say, “Yes, a rabbit.”
Summary
Speech and Language Therapy is a useful service for children who have difficulties with talking, understanding language, or communicating. With the right therapy and support, children can improve their communication skills, build confidence, and succeed in school and social situations.
The overarching goal of speech and language therapy is to help a child achieve their maximum potential and to be able to communicate effectively by a means that is most natural to the child.
At Held Health we take a strengths-based approach because a speech and language difference does not need to be life limiting.
How can I find out more, speak to someone about my child or book an initial consultation or speech and language assessment?
Speak with us or book an initial consultation.
Useful websites
This charity supports children with communication difficulties and provides helpful resources for families.
A charity focused on helping children with speech and language problems, offering tips for parents and information about services.
Offers guidance and resources for supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs in school and at home.
This organisation seeks to raise awareness and to create better services and provision for children and young people with language differences.
National Association of Professionals concerned with Language Impairment in Children (NAPLIC) is an association for all professionals concerned with children who have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
A support for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in their basic human right to communicate.