Speech teletherapy

Social distancing does not have to be a barrier to your child receiving the speech therapy that they need. I can provide online speech teletherapy sessions.
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How does speech teletherapy work?

Teletherapy eliminates the need for travel in order to access speech and language therapy sessions. I will deliver the session using Zoom, an online meeting platform. My sessions are GDPR compliant and a password will be provided for you to join the meeting. Although the sessions will be online, they are still a secure environment and nobody but you will be able to access the sessions. You do not need to be a technical genius to get the sessions set up either, all you have to do is download the Zoom app.

Before the session
Simply download the Zoom app, then click on the link to join my meeting which will be emailed over to you before the appointment time. 

During the session
The sessions are very similar to how they would be in a physical location but delivered in the comfort of your own home. As I communicate through video, I can still pick up on any non-verbal cues your child shows.

After the session
I will discuss any recommended practice activities and exercises with you and send a confirmation email after the session has finished. 

I usually work in Ludlow, Herefordshire and South Shropshire, but as these sessions are virtual, I can work with you and your child no matter where you are based.
Therapy services for parents

FAQs

  • How do I know my speech and language therapist is fully qualified?

    All speech and language therapists, NHS and independent, must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This regulatory body confirms the qualifications and fitness to practise of all speech and language therapists. You should ask to see your speech and language therapist’s HCPC certificate, alternatively you can confirm their registration at www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/.

  • Do I need a referral from my GP?

    No. You can refer your child to me directly. Just email or ring me for a free initial telephone consultation to discuss your concerns and find out how your child could benefit from speech and language therapy support.

  • My child has been referred to an NHS speech and language therapist. Can we see an independent speech and language therapist while we are on the NHS waiting list?

    Yes! You can choose to work with an independent speech and language therapist whilst on an NHS waiting list. I am usually able to provide an appointment within 1 – 2 weeks and can provide an initial assessment and therapy input while you wait for your NHS appointment.  When your NHS appointment arrives, you can take up this appointment and choose to attend both independent and NHS provision simultaneously, with both therapists working collaboratively. Alternatively you can work solely with the NHS speech and language therapist or opt out of the NHS provision and work solely with the independent speech and language therapist.

  • Where will the speech and language therapy sessions take place?

    Children benefit from being seen in a familiar environment. I would therefore see your child at your home, in their nursery or at school. Sometimes it is useful to see a child in more than one setting, for example therapy sessions can alternate between taking place at home and in school so that both parents and teachers can engage in the sessions.

  • My child’s teacher is concerned about his speech and language skills. Will you be able to work with his teacher?

    Yes. Collaborative working with other professionals is an essential part of therapy. I will work with you, your child and any key professionals. This includes attending meetings, sharing reports, liaising by telephone and joint participation in therapy sessions.

  • My child has a history of frequent ear infections. Could this affect her speech and language development?

    Children with a history of chronic ear infections and otitis media are generally considered to be more at risk of developing speech, language and communication impairments. Your child should be monitored closely by an audiologist and speech and language therapist.

  • What can I do at home to help my child’s speech and language development?

    • Talk to your child and name objects, people and events as you go through your normal daily routine i.e. talk to your child at bath time or meal times, naming objects, describing actions (splashing, eating, drinking) and responding to his/her questions.

    • Get down to your child’s level when talking.

    • Engage your child in play activities, follow his lead as you play, and engage in singing and rhyming games.

    • Model words for your child, repeat words back to her and add extra words on to her sentences, without any pressure for her to repeat them back to you.

    • Read with your child.


  • My child is having difficulty learning to read. Can a speech and language therapist help a child who is having difficulty learning to read and write?

    Yes. A speech and language therapist can help develop your child’s phonological awareness skills, auditory memory skills and auditory processing skills, all of which are pre-requisites for literacy development. Current research indicates that there is a strong link between auditory processing difficulties (APD), phonological awareness delays and reading development.

  • My child is disorganised at school and is easily distracted in class. Could these difficulties in school be linked to a speech and language difficulty?

    Children can appear disorganised and distracted in the classroom because they are not sure what they are supposed to be doing. They may not have understood all of the long instructions presented to the class, or may have forgotten part of the instruction. They may have been unable to hear the instruction clearly due to having difficulty listening in background noise or may be overwhelmed from having to listen for long periods of time. They will often try to cover this by copying other children or guessing what they need to do.  

    A speech and language therapist will be able to assess your child’s language skills, attention and listening skills, and auditory processing skills to determine if difficulties in any of these areas are impacting on your child’s success in the classroom.

  • My child is not talking as much as other children his age. My GP says he is a late talker and will catch up. Is this true?

    There can be wide variation in when young children achieve their early language milestones, and those that are ‘late talkers’ can catch up with other children of their own age. However, there are some children that don’t just catch up! It depends on what type of difficulties your child is experiencing. If your child is not communicating at a similar level to his peers, then it is always best to have his speech and language skills assessed by a speech and language therapist early on, to see if there are any difficulties that would benefit from early intervention.

Is your child experiencing mutism, stuttering or speech sound difficulties? I now offer speech teletherapy. Email me today to book an appointment.