Speech is the way we produce sounds.
Expressive language means talking. This is your child’s ability to join words to form sentences using the correct vocabulary and grammar.
Receptive language is understanding. This is your child’s ability to understand words they hear or read.
Our developmental checklist provides a guide to speech & language developmental milestones.
A family history of speech / language / stammering problems is often an indicator that a problem may develop, although this is not always the case. Children who have experienced frequent ear infections with hearing loss are at risk of having speech sound difficulties. Some children may have speech sound problems because they have learnt to produce a sound incorrectly. Additionally a child’s general cognitive development, exposure to language and personality can all impact on a child’s receptive / expressive language skills.
Research indicates if a child’s speech is not intelligible by five and a half years old it is likely that his/her literacy skills will be compromised.
Your voice can change, so it may sound hoarse, quiet, squeaky, briefly ‘cut out’ or deteriorate as you use it more. You may notice a sudden or gradual change to how your voice sounds and how your throat feels. If you cannot use your voice the way you normally would, lose your voice completely without having a cold/chest infection or if you have a hoarse voice for over six weeks without any apparent reason (like a cold etc), it is advisable to seek medical advice from your GP and/ or an Ear Nose Throat Specialist doctor.
There are many things that can affect how your voice sounds, and how your throat feels. It is likely that it is at least partly to do with how you use your voice. Marianne will discuss the specific factors relevant to you in your first assessment appointment.
Voice therapy essentially works on improving your control over how you produce your voice. You are given specific advice about how to keep your voice healthy, and Marianne will practise different types of techniques and exercises with you, targeted to suit your particular needs. Therapy appointments are usually a few weeks apart so that you can put the techniques into practice.
For voice or throat problems, a referral is required from an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
A doctor’s referral is not necessary for assessment of your child’s speech, language or stammering. Simply contact Emer and we will be happy to arrange your appointment.
You should be seen within a couple of weeks.
Speech / Language / Stammering/Voice assessments generally take 60 – 90 minutes. Therapy sessions vary between 30-60 minutes depending on the purpose of the appointment and the age of your child. Younger children typically cope better with shorter duration appointments of 30 minutes.
This really depends on the nature of the problem and the level of your concern. We will be happy to discuss this with you and make recommendations regarding this once we know you and / or your child better.
It is never easy to predict treatment length since many factors influence the success of therapy. Depending on the nature and severity of the difficulty, therapy could last from just a few weeks to a number of months.
No, this doesn’t matter. However, continuity of care is important so we will ask for your permission to contact your NHS SLT.
Did you know....
Approximately one third of people working in the UK today depend upon their voices to do their work? People like teachers, doctors, lawyers, call centre workers, sales staff, singers and actors.
Source: The British Voice Association
