Speech and Language Therapy is a life-improving treatment that develops speech, language, functional communication, and social communication for children who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking, and swallowing.
Our paediatric speech and language therapy can also help support children with cerebral palsy. Therapists work on improving muscle strength and coordination, teaching alternative communication methods such as sign language or assistive technology, and developing strategies to enhance both verbal and non-verbal communication.
Using specialist skills, our Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) works directly with clients and their families to provide them with individualised support to maximise communication attempts and outcomes.
What are the benefits of Speech and Language Therapy?
Speech and Language Therapy sessions can improve a wide range of concerns, such as:
- Attention and listening skills
- Functional communication skills
- Understanding of language
- Use of language (by any means – verbal, gestural, AAC)
- Articulation of words and fluency of speech
- Social communication and interaction skills.
Who is Speech & Language Therapy suitable for?
- Infants with difficulties in early play and communication skills, feeding, and swallowing
- Children (age 0-18) presenting with speech, language, or communication difficulty
We can see all children ranging from typically developing, to a variety of difficulties including genetic conditions, syndromes, and neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy). Children might present with any of or a combination of the following:
- Mild, moderate, or severe learning difficulties
- Physical disabilities
- Language delays
- Specific language impairments
- Specific difficulties in producing sounds
- Hearing impairment
- Cleft palate
- Stammering
- Autism/social interaction difficulties *only in combination with another difficulty
- Dyslexia
- Voice disorders
- Selective mutism.
Do I need a Speech & Language Therapy Assessment?
Yes, any Speech and Language Therapy intervention at CPotential will begin with an assessment. During the assessment, the therapist will be investigating your child’s skills in one or more of the following areas:
- Attention and listening
- Pre-verbal communication
- Understanding of language
- Using of language
- Social communication
- Speech sound production
- Processing speed
- Phonological awareness (identifying sounds in words)
- Reading and spelling.
If the SaLT identifies that your child would benefit from support, your child will be offered a block of speech and language therapy ranging from 4-10 weeks. Speech and Language Therapy can be offered as:
- One-on-one intervention blocks, which may include parent training sessions (a recommendation on the length of the block will be provided by the therapist, and decided between parents, CPotential, and therapist post-assessment)
- Weekly small group intervention blocks
- Strategies and advice for the parent/carer
- Reviewing of targets post-intervention blocks.
What happens in a typical Speech and Language Therapy session?
The SaLT will make use of fun, engaging, highly motivating and interactive games and activities to target specific speech, language, and communication difficulties.
A total communication approach will be implemented which involves finding and using the right combination of communication methods for each individual (i.e., spoken language augmented with Makaton signs or visuals). This approach helps an individual to form connections, ensures successful interactions and supports information exchanges and conversations.
All therapy sessions and interventions will follow evidence-based approaches aimed at achieving functional speech, language and communication targets for children and their families.
How much is Speech and Language Therapy?
There is a fee of £45 for an initial paediatric speech and language assessment to access all CPotential services.
How do I book a Speech and Language Therapy session?
Please complete our form below and we’ll be in touch soon to arrange an initial assessment.
