Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are qualified professionals who help with a variety of difficulties in the areas of speech, language and communication. Children and young people attending CAMHS often have communication challenges and differences.
SLTs in CAMHS work to enable children and young people to communicate more effectively. We have a broader role than our professional title ‘speech and language therapist’ suggests.
We can support children and young people to
- express themselves so they can explain what’s happening in their lives
- understand more clearly the strategies and interventions in CAMHS
- understand and talk about their feelings
- overcome a fear of talking (selective mutism)
- be open and confident about their stammering
- develop relationships and friendships with others
- access learning and school
We can help families, school staff and other professionals to understand how to facilitate communication. We have knowledge and skills around working with neurodivergence and in a neuroaffirmative way. We bring our specialist expertise to our work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in assessments and groupwork. We play an important role in supporting young people with communication difficulties access team interventions where the language used may be complex. We also champion young people and their families in service user engagement and self-advocacy. We work to break down barriers to communication, both physical and psychological, so that individuals can express their needs, wants and desires and be heard, recognising that communication is a basic human right.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact the Speech and Language Therapist at your local clinic and we will do our best to help.
