 |
|
 |
|
|
Mary Scullion
Joint Head of Speech
and Language
|
|
Sarah Burns
Joint Head of Speech
and Language
|
|
Speech and Language Department
Speech and Language Therapists are qualified professionals who help clients that present with a variety of difficulties in the area of communication. We work closely with the young person and their family to establish a plan to help them communicate as effectively as possible. Speech and Language Therapists at Lucena Clinic are part of a vibrant and dynamic department who work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in each of our locations.
Children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties can often present with speech, language or communication difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
- Speech sounds (difficulty making sounds)
- Language (understanding what words mean, how to make new words and put words into sentences)
- Social communication/ Pragmatic language (using language socially and in conversation)
- Fluency (Stammering)
- Voice (loss of voice or hoarseness)
At Lucena Clinic, a young person is usually referred for assessment by members of the multidisciplinary team if there are concerns about their speech, language or communication skills. Generally, an assessment is carried out over a few sessions. The assessment process includes discussing the parent’s and young person’s concerns with them and asking about how the young person is communicating in everyday situations. Assessment findings often contribute to the overall diagnosis that a young person receives.
Depending on the young person’s age, his/her speech and language skills may be assessed through:
- Play and conversation
- Observation
- Standardised tests
- Report from parents/young person themselves/school
- Questionnaires/checklists
After assessment, if further speech and language therapy intervention is indicated, the timing and nature of this will be considered in conjunction with the young person and their family and in the context of the overall multi-disciplinary treatment plan.
Speech and Language Therapy intervention has many forms:
· Working with and through the parents
· Liaison with school
· Group intervention
· Individual direct intervention
Indirect intervention is the most common way of supporting communication development. It can include liaison with school; a programme of activities and strategies; training and advice, all of which may be for home and school.
Some children or young people will need some direct intervention in which they are given exercises and taught techniques to work on, according to the goals set.
If you have any questions/queries, please contact the Speech and Language Therapist in your local Lucena Clinic and we will do our best to help.