Speech & Language Therapy

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We provide a specialist intervention service for children with disorders of communication, which may include speech and/or language difficulties.

Speech refers to how a person articulates or produces sounds for communication. The difficulty in saying speech sounds may be the result of oral motor weaknesses, motor planning difficulties, phonological processing difficulties or problems with dentition (teeth).

Language refers to a systematic means of communicating ideas and/or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures or marks that have commonly-understood meanings. The language area is usually separated into 'Receptive Language' and 'Expressive Language' domains.

• Receptive Language is the ability to comprehend spoken and written aspects of language and where no verbal response is required.
• Expressive Language is the ability to use the aspects of language to convey ideas verbally and in writing.

Within Receptive and Expressive Language domains, there are four subsets of language. These are:

• Semantics: The comprehension (receptive) and the use (expressive) of vocabulary. It includes single word vocabulary, categorization and contextual meanings.
• Morphology: The comprehension and use of rules to modify words in order to alter their meanings (tenses, plurals etc.)
• Syntax: The comprehension and use of word order to convey meaning.
• Pragmatics: The comprehension and use of social aspects of communication. It includes nonverbal communication, use of personal space, inflection and patterns of speech and appropriate utilization of language to accomplish a desired outcome in the specific communication context.

Our management of communication disorders will usually begin with a thorough assessment and diagnosis of the presenting problem with recommendations for intervention, and often this includes the provision of specific treatment regimes/protocols to be supported at home. Therapy with children and families is complex and we believe requires a team approach. As such we also work in conjunction with other professionals involved in the child's care (if any) to accelerate acquisition and development.

We have a wide range of expertise as the children we work with usually present with communication difficulties arising from a wide variety of pediatric conditions, syndromes and disease processes.

Programme Structure

Treatment is typically done with the qualified Speech & Language Pathologist, on a one-to-one basis and consequently supported at home by parents/caregivers until the child has obtained age appropriate language levels for their given chronological age and/or enough language to interact socially and for better academic attainment. Working in a familiar and specific work setting, and consequently generalizing at home reduces distractions, and may facilitate the generalization of treatment gains to the natural environment.

Treatment always begins with an initial assessment, the findings of which determine therapy targets for each individual client. All therapy plans and goals are personalized to a child's strengths and weaknesses identified during the assessment process and this is essential for a smooth transition from one foundational goal to be achieved, to the next.

Once a child is progressing well in their individual speech-language therapy sessions and is deemed ready, a group language session is usually recommended. In-person Language Groups typically comprise of a minimum of 3 children and a maximum of 5 children while Online Language Groups comprise of a minimum of 2 children and a maximum of 4 children. Participants for Language Groups are always matched for language age and not chronological age to ensure a more successful experience.

Initial Assessment

The Initial Hybrid Speech and Language Assessment Process will usually encompass a combination of an informal evaluation and a formal evaluation. Informal video clips of the child interacting at home, observation of and interactions with the child during the assessment session, discussions with parents and when possible, a formal assessment contributes to determining what, if any, specific difficulties may be present which are causing the difficulties noted in the child.

Amongst the areas that will be evaluated within a speech and language therapy evaluation are:

• Receptive Language Skills (understanding)
• Expressive Language Skills
• Language/Vocabulary
• Articulation and Phonology
• Oral-Motor Function
• Resonance of Sounds
• Voice Quality
• Fluency
• Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills
• Auditory/Listening Skills
• Pragmatics (social use of language)

Parents and primary caregivers are usually encouraged to participate in the assessment process and to be present during the assessment session for their better understanding. The results of the assessment will be reviewed with the parents present to ensure that what has been observed (and deductions that stem from these observations) are accurate and form a complete picture of the child's current abilities.

After having completed the initial hybrid speech and language assessment process, the Speech and Language Pathologist should be able to provide you with some preliminary feedback and some definite answers to your questions, as well as prepare a tailored individualized programme to help support your child's communication development progress.

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Using Our Services

We serve all children who have communication difficulties. If you decide you would like to seek Speech and Language Therapy for your child, please contact us.

You will be e-mailed a client intake form which must be returned duly filled, along with any additional diagnoses and reports that would help support and contribute to a more complete assessment of your child. These forms and relevant reports must be returned to the Centre prior to the initial assessment session taking place.

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