Speech & Language Therapy (SaLT)

 Speech & Language Therapy helps children develop essential communication skills, including speaking, understanding language, and social interaction. At Petals Therapy we work with children of all ages who may have difficulties with communication.

Through tailored assessments and engaging therapy sessions, we support children in gaining confidence and improving their ability to express themselves effectively. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s development, helping them succeed at home, in school, and in social settings.

If you're concerned about your child's speech or language development, we’re here to help. Get in touch to learn more about our services. 

Speech and Language Therapists (SALTs) support children with a wide range of communication challenges. Their goal is to help children develop the skills they need to communicate effectively and confidently in a way that works best for them. Areas we can help with include:

🔹 Speech Sounds – Helping children pronounce words clearly if they struggle with certain sounds or have unclear speech.

🔹 Stammering – Supporting children who experience repetition of sounds, prolonging words, or getting stuck when speaking. Therapy can help build confidence and fluency.

🔹 Social Communication – Helping children understand and navigate social interactions in a way that feels comfortable for them, including understanding their own and others’ communication styles. 

🔹 Attention and Listening – Supporting children in developing focus and processing spoken information in a way that suits their individual needs.

🔹 Understanding and Using Language – Helping children who find it difficult to understand spoken language or express themselves effectively.

🔹 Language Delay – Providing tailored support for children whose language development is progressing at a different pace.

Every child communicates in their own way, and our approach is always tailored to their unique strengths and needs.

We tailor our assessments to meet the unique needs of each young person. While the specifics may vary, our comprehensive evaluation process typically includes the following components:

🔹 Consultation with Parents, Carers, and School – We begin by engaging in discussions with the child's primary caregivers and educators to gather insights into their daily routines, strengths, and areas of concern.

🔹 Information-Gathering Questionnaires – To gain a holistic understanding, we use questionnaires completed by individuals close to the child, such as parents and teachers. These tools help us gather crucial information and plan the next steps in assessment.

🔹 Observations of Daily Activities – We observe the child in their own environments, such as at home or school, to understand how they engage in daily activities. This helps us identify any challenges and recognise their strengths in real-world contexts.

🔹 Assessment Through Play – For many children, play is a natural way to communicate and explore their world. We use play-based assessments to observe interaction, language use, attention, and social communication in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. This approach allows us to understand their abilities in a way that feels engaging and non-pressured.

🔹 Direct Assessment with the Young Person – Where appropriate, we conduct direct assessments to explore communication challenges in more detail. This may involve structured activities, informal tasks, or standardised assessments to evaluate specific skills.

🔹 Discussions with the Young Person – Understanding what is important and meaningful to the young person is crucial. We have conversations with them, using communication methods that suit them best, to explore their interests, goals, and any difficulties they experience in daily life.

This comprehensive approach ensures that our assessments are thorough, individualised, and child-centred, providing a strong foundation for effective intervention strategies.