Monique Tobin

Speech and Language Therapy  -  What to Expect

​

The first speech and language therapy session usually involves a full assessment.
This lasts for 60-90 minutes and involves taking a full history of your child’s development so far, and carrying out formal and informal assessments of their speech, language and communication skills. This information allows therapy to be tailored to your child’s individual needs. I will then discuss my findings with you and follow this up with a short written report.

​

Following a detailed assessment of your child’s speech, language and communication skills, I may recommend:

​

• A course of therapy sessions which may be weekly, fortnightly or once every three weeks, depending on your child’s needs.
   

• Specifically tailored activities to be carried out at home and in school with your child, followed by a therapy appointment to review the progress your child has made. 
   

• I may recommend no therapy is needed, as your child’s speech, language and communication skills are developing normally for their age.
   

Therapy sessions last for 45-60 minutes and include planning time, time to discuss the therapy session with you. In my experience, children make the best progress in therapy when all the key people involved in their lives are working together to support them.  I will work closely with you to provide advice and activities to support the skills your child learns in therapy to be carried over into their everyday life. 
 

I am happy to liaise with NHS speech and language therapists. For children who are already on a NHS waiting list, I am happy to support your child and to hand their care over to the NHS when they are ready to be seen.
 

 I am also happy to liaise with your child’s nursery or school. 
 

Therapy targets are set collaboratively with parents and carers and these are reviewed on a regular basis, depending on the needs of each child.