Speech & Language Therapy

What is Speech and Language Therapy?

Speech and language therapy is concerned with the management of disorders of speech, language, and communication and swallowing in children and adults.

Why Independent Speech & Language Therapy for your child?

Independent Speech and language therapy input means that your child can be seen assoon as possible at a more convenient time for you. Laura is a member of the Royal collegeof Speech & Language therapists and is registered with the health Care professional Careboard, and operates one of her many clinics at Click hearing on a Saturday.

Laura specialises in the following areas:

• Children's Speech Delay/disorders
Children say different sounds at different times as they develop. Some children may notdevelop as quickly or may not follow a typical pattern of development. The overall resultmay be that they are not understood by others. This can result in behavioural difficultieswhere a child struggles to be understood. Laura will assess whether your child's speech isdeveloping normally and will advise whether they may benefit from therapy.

Laura has an additional interest in children's speech sound disorders and is the author ifAuditory Bombardment stories; speech-sound stories for children. (Winslow press, 2004)

http://www.winslow-cat.com/auditory-bombardment-stories.html

• Adult Voice and swallowing disorders
Voice disorders can arise for a number of reasons; after a cough or cold or from stress orvocal misuse. Laura requires all patients to see an ENT consultant if they have identifieda problem or change in their voice. She works closely with a number of ENT colleagueswho she can refer you directly onto. Laura is happy to see you if you have had an NHS ENTexamination but would like Private speech & Language therapy

• Articulation disorders
Articulation disorders may be sure to injury such as surgery to the mouth or after a
neurological event such as a stroke where speech becomes slurred and/or certain sounds

are affected. Alternatively this may be an articluatory error that you may have had from
birth (i.e. lisp) which you wish to improve.

• Acquired communication disorders
This refers to a disorder of Language (and speech) which impacts on a person's ability tounderstand language and express themselves using language. This may be in written orspoken form as communication takes many forms. It usually occurs after a neurologicaldisorder such as a stroke or a progressive neurological disorder such as MS, MND or PD.

• Head and neck cancer
The effects of head and neck cancer itself and the treatment for this disease can causeboth big and small changes to speech and swallowing. Laura can work with clients requiringassessment or therapy for these areas providing a referral has been made by a consultant.

Laura likes to work closely with other professionals and is happy to work alongside NHStherapists and other professionals such as teachers, SENCOs and consultants if requested bythe client.

"I love tailoring my therapy to the child's need but disguising it in a fun and focused activity.I find children stay motivated and love coming back to the sessions this way. I always getparents to understand the principles behind what I'm doing so that they can go home andpractice therapy tasks at home with resources I provide. "

Fees
Available on request.