Speech and Language Therapy

Who are we?

We support children and young people who have speech, language and communication difficulties to develop the best possible communication skills that they can. For some, this might be spoken communication, and for others it might be learning to use a communication aid, or an approach based on signs, symbols or gestures.

Who do we work with?

In Oxfordshire Speech and Language Therapists work with children, young people and their parents or carers to provide advice, support and treatment for a range of difficulties such as:

• Language Difficulties
• Difficulties making the sounds used in speech
• Stammering
• Voice Disorders
• Selective Mutism
• Feeding and swallowing difficulties
• Hearing Impairment
• Social Communication difficulties and Play

What do we do?

Depending on your child’s needs, a Speech and Language Therapist will try a range of different activities and work in different settings. This could include any one or a combination of the following:

• Assessing and treating speech, language and communication problems
• Offering advice and support about speech, language and communication
• Observing your child in different settings
• Liaising with school/nursery staff, professionals and parents
• Input to target setting as part of the individualised education plan (IEP) process
• Training other professionals and parents in identifying and managing speech, language and communication difficulties
• Running or supporting speech, language and communication groups
• Jointly planning activities with school staff
• Optimising access to the curriculum
• Creating and modifying programmes of therapy to be delivered by other professionals including families, settings and school staff.
• Sign-posting to other services, groups, support networks according to a child’s needs.

Speech and Language Therapists also assess, treat and advise on eating, drinking and swallowing problems.