Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)
We support children and young people (0– 19) who have speech, language and communication difficulties. This includes difficulties with:
• Understanding language
• Using language
• Communication and interaction
• Dysfluency (stammering)
• Speech sounds
• Social skills
We also help children and young people who have eating and drinking difficulties. Some children we support may have identified needs such as cleft palate, hearing impairment and special educational needs and disability (SEND).
We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to help you help your child. This may include workshops, training, assessment, group and/or individual therapy sessions .
Who is this service for? Children and young people from the age of 0 to 19.
www.nhft.nhs.uk/childrens-salt
Communication matters
Communication Matters is a UK-wide charity committed to supporting people of all ages who find communication difficult because they have little or no clear speech.
Find information on their website about methods of communication that can be used to supplement the more usual methods of speech and writing. These methods are called Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Communication Matters' vision is a world where all individuals have a right to a voice through the provision of communication solutions and ongoing support services. Their mission is to promote an individual’s right to participate in all aspects of life by using their most appropriate means of communication to express their thoughts, feelings, needs and desires. Their main aims are to increase awareness of AAC, involve AAC users, improve service standards and encourage research. https://communicationmatters.org.uk/
Speech and Language UK
Speech and Language UK want every child to face the future with confidence. For 1.7 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. So the charity gives children and young people the skills they need so they aren't left behind, waiting to be understood. This is a free service. https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/
afasic – voice for life
Afasic is a UK-wide charity that represents and helps children and young people affected by speech, language, and communication needs (and their families). It operates a helpline and website, runs training for parents and professionals, and organises activities for children and young people. If you cannot call during the Helpline opening hours then you can complete a short online query form at any time. Afasic is a membership organisation and has local groups across the country. www.afasic.org.uk/
The Sequal Trust
The Sequal Trust provides speech aids for disabled people that have communication disorders and severe learning difficulties. By supplying devices (such as light writers and Grid Pads) they aim to bridge the communication gap and help individuals reach their full potential and live more fulfilling lives. The Sequal Trust believes that everybody has the right to a voice and their communication disability charity is dedicated to helping those with incoherent speech or those that are nonverbal. https://www.thesequaltrust.org.uk/
The Makaton Charity
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
The Makaton Charity's mission statement is “to improve lives by enabling everyone to communicate successfully by using solutions that are effective and appropriate for them”. https://Makaton.org
Thomas’s Fund
Thomas’s Fund is a charity that provides music therapy for children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions (and/or a disability) who, for medical reasons, are away from school/settings for extended periods.
Home - Thomas’s Fund (thomassfund.org)
1Voice
1Voice provides social connection, positive role models, and networking opportunities for AAC users, their families, and those who support them. Many of our members also have additional needs due to congenital or acquired conditions such as stroke or cerebral palsy. Many also use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
We bring together people at different stages of their communication journey, their parents, PAs, and supporters, to learn from and inspire each other. 1Voice