Speech and language therapy

What is Speech and Language therapy

At Pace, our Speech and Language Therapists are specialists in communication and feeding disorders related to neuromotor disabilities in children. Our therapists have specialist knowledge and training in motor speech difficulties, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Dysphagia (swallowing) and sensory feeding.

We work with you to identify goals and develop a plan to build on the abilities your child has, not limited to the physical and sensory barriers they experience. We have a loan library of equipment and symbol resources to help support and achieve goals. Learning to communicate and/or eat in a playful, fun way is key to our sessions.

Speech and language therapy provides support, treatment and care for children and young people who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Speech and Language therapy includes

Assessment

Your child’s communication abilities are assessed, including speech sounds and breath control, language skills and understanding, and social communication. Assessment can include augmentative means of communication alongside spoken language skills. Our Speech and Language Therapists assess your child’s eating, drinking and swallowing skills, also known as Dysphagia. Assessment can include clinical swallow safety, positioning, oral skills and a range of food textures.

Intervention

Your child will have a bespoke therapy programme designed. Working from the skills your child has we build around their goals for development, whatever their rate of progress or area of need. Our interventions can begin from birth including early interactive communication skills, speech sounds, sentence building, augmentative communication and/or eating and drinking skills. Close working with the other professionals on the Pace team ensures that physical and sensory challenges don’t unnecessarily limit expressive language and communication from matching your child’s level of understanding.

Advice

Our Speech and Language Therapists provide support, coaching and training for parents, carers and other practitioners to assist them in promoting communication and (or) eating and drinking skills. Working in partnership with parents is key to the success of our approach.

Speech and language therapy

What is Speech and Language therapy

Speech and language therapy provides support, treatment and care for children and young people who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Speech and Language therapy includes

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