Speech & Language Therapy

The Speech and Language Therapy Team consists of Your Healthcare therapists who see Kingston and Richmond children and a school employed therapist who sees out-of-borough pupils. In addition, a dysphagia specialist visits each half term and on request.

Each pupil is assessed and an appropriate programme is put into place which is then followed through by integrated SALT and teacher-led groups. Targets are integrated into the child’s IEP.

Therapy may focus on the following areas:

• Eating and drinking skills; oral skills; receptive and expressive language; alternative and augmentative communication systems such as Makaton signs, symbols or voice output communication aids; functional communication and social skills.

• The service aims to work closely with parents/carers/teachers/ nurses/teaching assistants and others involved in providing an integrated approach to communication and/or feeding. Therapists work with pupils on a group basis within the classroom. Staff receive on-going specialist speech and language therapy training.

Therapists contribute to the pupil’s Annual Review/EHCP’s. Informal workshops are offered during the year, for example Makaton training. Parents/carers are welcome to contact therapists at any time if there is anything they would like to discuss.