Speech Therapy for Children

Do you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication skills? Please get in touch to chat about your concerns and see how I may be able to help.

I offer private speech and language therapy to children and young adults in the Highlands of Scotland.  Speech therapy services are also available through Zoom for clients across the UK and the rest of the world.

I will work with you to establish your child’s speech, language and communication needs and identify the right approach for therapy.  Speech therapy assessment and therapy sessions are built specifically for your child.

Clinic appointments are available in Achmore.  Home visits may also be available dependant on location.  If you live far away, appointments are available by Zoom for children aged 3 upwards.

I support children with a wide range of speech and language difficulties, including:

• Early years language development.
• Social communication, interaction skills and Autism.
• Attention and listening skills.
• Speech sound delay and disorder: the speech sound system is slow to develop and contains substituted sounds.
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech/Verbal Dyspraxia: difficulties with organising and planning the muscle movements for speech.  Speech is slow to develop and often difficult to understand.
• Language delay: slow development of understanding and/or using words and sentences.
• Language disorder or Specific Language Impairment: difficulties with specific areas of language, grammar, vocabulary.
• Learning difficulties and developmental delay.
• Literacy difficulties associated with speech.
• Supporting and training family members.

What happens in Speech Therapy?

Below, I will take you through the various stages that will make up speech therapy for your child.

• Initial telephone consultation:

  Contact me by phone or email for an informal chat (no fee incurred).  We will discuss your concerns, your child’s current needs and how I may be able to help.

  If appropriate, we arrange a convenient time and place for your appointment.  This could be at your home, care facility, at my clinic in Achmore or Strathpeffer.  Alternatively, we can talk on Zoom through your computer, iPad or tablet.

• Before your appointment:

  You will be asked to complete a form about your child’s interests, medical history, education and any previous therapy.  This helps me to build a picture of your child and enables me to plan assessment and therapy.

  If you are already receiving speech therapy from the NHS or a private speech therapist that is not a problem.  I will ask you for the therapists’ name, a contact number and permission to discuss your child’s care.  As speech therapists, we can work together and provide your child with the best possible support.

• At the first appointment:

  Speech and language assessment

  We will begin your child’s speech and language assessment.  Depending on your child’s needs, the assessment could involve play, looking at pictures, objects, listening and speaking. The appointment will last approximately 1 hour.  

  I will also talk to you about:

  • Your child’s communication difficulties.
  • The impact of your child’s difficulties on their day to day life; at home, nursery or school.
  • What you would like your child to achieve.

• After the assessment:

  You will receive a report summarising the results of your child's’ assessment.The report will give details of any goals which you have identified and the options for therapy.

What next?

We discuss your results, identify the right approach for your child and agree a plan of action.

Therapy will designed to meet your child's’ individual needs and the goals which you have identified. You can read more about the specific therapies which we may choose to use.

Advice, support and training is available for your family, friends and school.  This means that everyone is working together and enabling your child to make progress in all environments.

When?

Therapy is usually offered in a block of 8-10 sessions and is discussed with you before we start. We may decide on appointments once a week, or more intensive input.

How long?

Appointments are usually 1 hour long.  This includes 1:1 therapy with your child and time with you to discuss strategies and home practice.

Where?

Speech therapy can take place face to face in a convenient location; this could be at at my clinic in Achmore or Strathpeffer, your home or school (dependent on location).  Your child could also receive their therapy remotely (via Zoom, Facetime or Google Meet).

Therapy Targets

Your child’s therapy targets will be stored in a secure online facility called My Therapy Tracker.  This allows you to see their goals, review progress and watch video techniques to help with therapy.   Your child’s school or other family members can access these notes if you give your permission.

When therapy is finished:

At the end of your child’s block of therapy we discuss their progress and evaluate their goals.  A new block of therapy may be agreed or you may return for a follow-up appointment a few months later.