Speech and Language Therapy transforms the lives of individuals across all age groups, from infants to adults who experience difficulties with speech, language and communication. Here’s a quick look at who can benefit from SLT:
Children with Delayed Speech and Language Development
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Support needs: Late talking, limited vocabulary, difficulty forming sentences.
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Benefits: SLT helps children build on their language skills and supports parents to provide a rich communication environment at home.
Children with Speech Sound Disorders
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Support needs: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, being difficult to understand.
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Benefits: Therapy supports children to learn how to produce certain speech sounds and practise saying these in words which can improve speech clarity, support literacy development and increase confidence in speaking situations.
Autistic Individuals
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Support needs: Expressive language, social communication and understanding spoken and non-verbal language.
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Benefits: SLT supports the development of communication skills including the use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and supports clients to develop their understanding of neurotypical social skills so that they can better understand their neurotypical peers as well as advocate for themselves. We support clients to understand that there is nothing wrong with the way their brain works, it is simply a different way of thinking, feeling and being which is no less valid or important than the neurotypical brain.
Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
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Support needs: Difficulties with understanding and using spoken language, affecting academic and social interactions.
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Benefits: SLT helps develop language skills, enhancing the individual’s ability to learn, socialize, and express their thoughts.
Individuals who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
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Support needs: Non-speaking, minimally speaking or unreliably speaking. Significant speech sound difficulties which make it difficult for the person to make themselves understood.
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Benefits: SLT supports clients to find the right AAC system for them and can train parents, educators and other professionals in using the AAC system to ensure the client has effective communication partners around them.
Children with Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties
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Support needs: Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to solid foods.
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Benefits: SLT can help improve feeding skills, ensuring safe and effective eating and drinking.
