Are you concerned about your child’s ability to communicate?

Maybe your child has difficulty talking, listening or understanding? Maybe they haven’t got many words or they are not talking yet? Perhaps your child is unable to produce grammatically correct sentences?

Maybe their speech is unclear and they are finding it difficult to make themselves understood? Or possibly their attention; listening and concentration skills are delayed or they are just not able to focus on, or understand what you are saying to them.

Maybe your child is finding it difficult to make friends and socialise?

Children who have speech, language or communication skills difficulties often find it hard to interact if they don’t understand what others say; if their speech is unclear; or they haven’t got the words to express themselves. Often they withdraw from social situations and seldom initiate interaction with others unless they are well known to them such as a sibling or parent for instance.

Maybe your child is struggling to keep up at school or is not progressing as well as they could, due to a communication skills difficulty?

Having a communication skills difficulty can affect children’s educational attainment. They are at risk of losing motivation and becoming frustrated if they are finding it difficult to express themselves or understand what is going on around them. Children who are struggling often lose self-esteem and confidence. Most children find themselves in schools with large class sizes. Many children with delayed communication skills struggle to cope with whole group instruction and need individual or small group support.

Good communication skills are central to a child’s ability to learn. Research has shown that children's development of language is a crucial first step in their ability to think and learn, and has a significant impact on their educational attainment and experience. Getting the right support early is paramount, as most brain development occurs in their early years. Early intervention can also prevent secondary difficulties arising such as behavioural and emotional problems.

If your child is showing signs of delayed development and you are concerned, they may benefit from a programme of support. All parents want the best for their children and many are not prepared to wait lengthy periods on NHS waiting lists for speech and language therapy assessment and support. Private speech and language therapy can deliver tailor-made support for your child on a regular basis without the need to wait.

Programmes of support

Depending on where your child’s difficulties lie, a therapeutic programme may be put in place focusing on developing any one or a number of the following areas

• early communication skills such as: attention, listening, imitation and turn-taking
• expressive and receptive language : understanding and expressing verbally, vocabulary, grammar etc
• speech sounds
• social skills and use of language

Your child’s skills will be developed through fun activities which are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

Parent-child interaction programmes of support are also offered. These are tailored to each parent-child dyad and focus on developing improved interaction skills. Although time is spent working directly with the child, a significant proportion of the time is spent with the parent. These packages of care are designed to empower parents to make changes to their own style of interaction in order to effect change on their child’s communicative ability. Jessica is trained in the following parent-child interaction programmes: ‘You Make the Difference’ preventative programme, ‘It takes two to talk’ for language delayed children and ‘Target Word’ for children who are late talkers. The Therapist will be able to recommend the best package of care for you and your child.

Before any therapy can commence a detailed assessment will need to carried out to identify your child’s strengths and areas requiring development. This initial assessment usually takes place over two sessions (sometimes three depending on the child or complexity of the case) in order to obtain a detailed profile on your child.

Assessment/Initial Consultation:

This is usually carried out in your own home (although there is the option of being seen at the Therapist’s base) and is an opportunity for the Therapist to discuss your concerns with you, assess your child’s communication skills and, identify their skills and the areas needing development. Following a discussion with you, aims will be set and further therapy if indicated, will be planned.

Therapy Process

Therapy is carried out on a one-to-one basis, and the number of sessions is dependent on your child’s needs. Frequently children are seen for 6 to 10 sessions, but your child may require less or more, and this will be reviewed as intervention progresses. Sometimes children may not be ready for therapy and instead they will be monitored until a later stage.

Review/monitoring sessions

When a child has reached the aims set, a rest-period may be indicated in order for them to consolidate the skills learned before new aims are set. Their skills will be reviewed before further therapy is offered. If it is felt that your child is not ready for therapy following the initial consultation a further appointment will be arranged with you for a later date. Your child’s skills will be reviewed at this stage before any therapy commences.

Discharge

Your child will be discharged from therapy at the end of an episode of care, following discussions with you, the parent. This is when the treatment is complete and when your child’s potential is reached in the area targeted by therapy. Parents/carers may also withdraw from therapy at any time should they wish to do so.

Where will my child be seen?

Assessment and therapy sessions are generally carried out in the child’s own home. To get a more holistic picture of your child an observational visit may also be carried out in your child’s educational establishment, with your permission. This opportunity will also be used to discuss your child’s needs and therapy ideas with key professionals there so they know how best to communicate with your child and how to help their skills develop. It is also possible for your child to have their therapy appointments at the Therapist’s base in Kinver, South Staffordshire.Travel is undertaken to Staffordshire, Shropshire, The Black Country and Worcestershire.

Terms, conditions and fees

If you would like to find out the current fees and more detailed information on the individual support process, click here to download your guide to individual assessment and therapy.

Contact

If you would like to find out more information or discuss your child further, please call Jessica on 01384 878645 or alternatively on 0759614837. If we both feel that assessment is indicated and that the support on offer will suit your child then we can arrange an appointment to start the assessment process.