Services Explained:
What happens within an Initial Assessment?
If the child is of school age, with parental consent, information from school will be gathered prior to the assessment appointment in the form of a questionnaire or phone discussion with school.The assessment appointment can take place either at home or school and will usually involve:
- Taking a case history from parents
- Observation of the child
- Direct Assessment of speech, language and communication skills (this may involve informal and/or formal assessment methods)
- Verbal feedback of findings (this may be immediate or if detailed assessment scoring is required this may take place via phone later the same day)
- A detailed written report will follow which includes advice and recommendations
What is Direct Therapy?
A series (or 'course') of 45 minute 1:1 therapy sessions delivered by the therapist either within the home or at school. A parent or member of school staff should be present to observe and partake in sessions. Included within each 45 minute session will be some discussion time with you regarding progress and next steps. Each course consists of:- 6 sessions (typically)
- Weekly or fortnightly sessions
- Specific targets agreed and set together
- Targets fully evaluated within the last therapy session (to monitor progress and identify next steps)
- Demonstration and teaching (for parent or school staff attending sessions) about techniques and activities for follow-up work
High quality resources will be provided for your follow-up work. Carrying out these therapy activities at home or school between sessions is absolutely essential to maximise progress and response to therapy.
The nature of direct therapy sessions varies according to a child's age, their developmental and attention levels and their area of speech, language or communication need. All sessions are play or games based, and tailored to the needs and interests of each individual child, in order to make the therapy fun and motivating.
What is Indirect Therapy?
Sometimes, following an assessment or therapy course, it may be appropriate for a home/school therapy programme to be provided that can be carried out by parents or school staff. Specific targets (and a time frame) are agreed and therapy resources are provided for parents or school staff to carry out the therapy. Indirect Therapy includes an initial therapist-led 45 minute coaching session for the key adult and a further 45 minute therapist-led evaluation session with the child and key adult after an agreed period to monitor and identify progress and agree next steps.What is a Review Assessment?
If an initial assessment has already been carried out and sometime in the future it is felt that a formal re-assessment would be useful a review assessment can be carried out to monitor progress, identify current needs and plan appropriate next steps.
If any other services are required, please enquire. My aim is to offer a bespoke and flexible service to meet the individual needs of children, parents and schools.