South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy provides in-person home and nursery or school visits to support children’s feeding and communication needs. In addition, if you prefer to travel to us, we have a clinic space in Kendal town centre. Video and telephone appointments are also available.
South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy’s services are child-centered with a focus on children’s individual strengths, learning styles, and needs. Children make the most progress when parents and caregivers understand how to support their development; South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy uses a parent coaching model to help you understand what you can do to encourage your child’s feeding and/or communication development as a part of everyday life.
Free Initial Telephone Consultation
If you have concerns for your child’s feeding and/or speech and language skills, please contact South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy for a free initial telephone consultation to discuss your child’s specific needs, options available and the most appropriate next steps.
Assessment
The assessment is a collaborative process where information from you about your child’s development and skills in different settings is combined with what is clinically observed during the assessment appointment. An assessment includes the following:
- A 60 to 90 minute session in your home or your child’s education setting. Depending on the age and needs of your child, we may be able to meet with you and your child in our clinic space in Kendal town centre. For children with feeding concerns, assessments will occur during a meal or snack time.
- Review of the parent questionnaire and discussion with you.
- Informal assessment through play, observation and structured tasks, as appropriate.
- Standardized and non-standardized assessment tasks, as appropriate.
- Verbal feedback at the end of the assessment appointment.
- Analysis of assessment results.
- Written feedback following the assessment appointment. Written feedback will be in the form of an assessment report and will include written recommendations.
- Liaising with other professionals involved in your child’s care where appropriate.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions are approximately 45 minutes in duration and include discussion with you (or the person responsible for your child during the session) as well as written advice. In addition to time spent directly with you and your child, time is spent outside of the session planning, record keeping and liaising with parents and professionals.
Home and School-Based Learning Activities
South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy will provide you and your child with activities to do outside of our sessions to support your child’s development. When appropriate, South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy will provide you with communication cards, core boards and other communication tools specifically created for your child as well as activity sheets and other relevant supports. Activities will be adapted, where appropriate, for nursery and school settings.
Attendance at Case Conferences, Multidisciplinary Meetings and Other Related Discussions
At your request, South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy is able to attend professionals meetings related to your child. Should this be desired, we will discuss beforehand the specifics required.