Speech and language therapists provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for children and adults of all ages who have difficulties with speech, language, communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.
Adults’ Services
Speech, language and swallowing difficulties are common among people who have had:
- Stroke or head injury
- Parkinsons Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Head or neck cancer
- Motor Neuron Disease
- a stammer
- voice problems
- a learning difficulty
Children’s Services
Children who have speech or language difficulties are likely to have problems communicating with others, forming relationships and friendships, and coping in school. Speech and language therapists help to develop children’s communication skills in partnership with parents/carers and other health and education professionals.
The Community Clinic Speech & Language Therapy Service provides specialist assessment, advice, support, therapy and training.
Speech and language therapists see pre-school and school age children who have a range of communication needs. These include children who have:
- difficulty understanding language
- difficulty using language
- unclear speech
- a stammer
- a hoarse voice
- hearing impairment
- learning difficulties.
Access criteria
Children can be referred to the service by their health visitor, school nurse, GP or Education Service.
The Team
Speech and language therapists work directly with service users and their carers to provide them with individualised support. They also work closely with teachers, doctors, nurses, other allied health professionals and psychologists to develop intervention programmes according to the service users individual needs.
Speech and language therapists play a key role in rehabilitation, improving the quality of peoples’ lives and helping them to achieve their potential. They provide guidance and advice on how to help promote the best quality care and support for those with communication and swallowing difficulties.
They work in a variety of locations across health and social care, local communities, education facilities, voluntary agencies and in the independent sector.
Speech and language therapists encourage service users and/or carers to be involved in their own care by providing information and encouraging active participation in the intervention process. They aim to support and empower service users or families to manage the communication difficult themselves.