Speech and Language
Service

Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy

What does it do?

Speech and Language Therapists are the lead experts in speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders.  The service provides assessment, differential diagnosis, intervention/treatment and management for children experiencing difficulties in these areas.

The aim of the service is to support children and their families to reduce the impact of these difficulties on the child's wellbeing and their ability to achieve their full potential.

The service works in partnership with families, children, and other professionals and agencies, for example Health Visitors, GPs, School staff, Community Paediatricians and Hospital Paediatricians. 

Service Delivery Area

The service is available for all children and young people registered with a General Practitioner (GP) in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.

What are the service opening times?

Most appointments are offered between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.  In some areas early evening clinics may also run.

How can I refer?
[For appropriate professional/clinical referrers only - service users please see below]

Health professionals can refer using the SALT referral forms located within the Related Files section on the right-hand side of this page.

Pre-school and school staff can refer using the School SALT referral forms.

Feeding, swallowing and voice referrals must come from a medical practitioner.

Please ensure you are using the correct referral form.

 

What functions/treatment and therapies are offered?

Speech and Language Therapists take a full case history and assess the child's speech, language and communication skills.  Formal and informal test procedures are used.  A therapy plan will then be written with details of specific activities and materials.  For young children, therapy is delivered through play and with all age ranges the emphasis is on providing enjoyable activities in a supportive environment with plenty of positive reinforcement.

Which types of illness/medical condition does the service treat?
  • Speech, Language and communication difficulties that can be supported include the following:
  • Articulation delay
  • Phonological delay
  • Phonological disorder
  • Develomental Language Delay
  • Developmental Language Disorder
  • Specific Language Impairment
  • Dysphagia
  • Dysfluency
  • Social Communication Disorder
  • Cleft Lip / Palate
  • Dyspraxia
  • Special needs in speech, voice, fluency, language, communication, psychologically based communication disorders, social skills, literacy, swallowing functions and Alternative and Augmentative Communication.
  • Special needs in communication or swallowing disorders associated with diagnosed impairments, genetic and medical conditions, trauma, developmental delays, mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Who will I see?

You and your child will be seen by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist who will assess your child's speech, language and communication needs and decide what help is needed.  If your child needs therapy this may be provided by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist or a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant under the direction of the Speech and Language Therapist.

As a patient, how do I access services?

You can ask for a referral to the service through your Health Visitor, pre-school or school staff or through your GP.

How can I get involved / what support groups are available?

As a parent or carer of a child/young person receiving therapy or treatment, the therapist or therapy assistant will give you ideas and activities to do at home. 

There are many support groups available for specific conditions/difficulties:

AFASIC - www.afasic.org.uk

ICAN - www.ican.org.uk

Talking Point - www.talkingpoint.org.uk

Down Syndrome Educational International - www.dseinternational.org

Wessx Autistic Society - www.twas.org.uk

National Autistic Society - www.autism.org.uk

British Stammerers Association - www.stammering.org

Cleft Lip Palate Association (CLAPA) - www.clapa.com

Do you have information for Carers?

Relevant leaflets are available at all the Speech and Language Therapy clinics.

Where, when and how often are the clinics?

There are a number of clinics held across Dorset and children are also seen in pre-school or school settings.  Times and frequency of clinics will vary according to the area.  For more information about clinics in your area telephone the area administration offices as detailed in the next section below.

Who can I contact to find out more?

Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset administration office - 01202 443208

West Dorset, Dorchester administration office - 01305 254743