Specialist Speech and Language Therapist based in Altrincham
FAQs
Answers to common questions about Speech and Language Therapy, assessment and support for your child.
It’s natural to have questions before contacting a Speech and Language Therapist. Below you’ll find answers to some of the questions parents and carers often ask about assessment, therapy, appointments, pricing and what to expect.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please get in touch.
Getting started
How do I know if my child needs speech and language therapy?
There are many reasons you might consider speaking to a Speech and Language Therapist. You may be concerned about your child’s speech or language development, social skills, or how clearly they can be understood. You may also be concerned about their eating, drinking or swallowing, food anxiety, mealtime battles, or tongue-tie.
You don’t need to know exactly what the difficulty is before getting in touch. We can start with an initial conversation about what you’ve noticed and discuss whether an assessment or further support may be helpful.
Do I need a referral?
You can contact me directly to discuss your child and arrange an appointment. You do not need to wait for a referral from another professional.
Can I speak to you before booking an assessment?
Yes, I offer a free, 15 minute initial telephone consultation where you can tell me a little about your child and your concerns.
This gives us an opportunity to discuss whether an assessment may be appropriate and what the next steps might look like before you decide whether you would like to proceed.
Do you have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate?
Yes. I have an enhanced DBS certificate that is registered on the DBS Update Service, allowing for instant verification. I am happy to provide details of this on request.
Assessment
What happens during a speech and language therapy assessment?
Every assessment is different because it is tailored to the individual child.
I begin by taking a detailed background history and talking to you about your concerns. Depending on your child’s age and needs, the assessment may then involve a mixture of formal assessment and/or more informal approaches such as play, observation and conversation.
Afterwards, I’ll talk you through my findings and discuss any recommendations or options for further support.
How long does an assessment take?
An initial assessment will usually take between one and two hours, although this may vary depending on your child and the type of difficulties being assessed.
Will my child know they are being assessed?
Assessment will always be adapted to your child’s age, personality and individual needs. For younger children in particular, assessment often involves play, conversation and activities designed to help them feel comfortable and get a realistic idea of their skills. I usually explain, in a developmentally appropriate way, why I am there to see them, and what we're going to do. Even children who are shy to begin with, tend to warm up quickly and enjoy the sessions.
Will I receive a report?
Formal written reports can be provided where required. Some people prefer an informal email. We can discuss whether a report would be useful for your child following their assessment.
Therapy sessions
How long are speech and language therapy sessions?
Speech sound therapy is usually offered in weekly, 45 minute sessions. This includes time for feedback and discussion with parents.
Feeding therapy is often indirect support to parents/carers or direct hour-long sessions. Sessions may be longer or shorter and more or less frequent, depending on your child’s individual needs and the type of support they require.
How many therapy sessions will my child need?
It's hard to say how many sessions a child will need as they are all different and all respond differently to treatment. The amount of therapy required can depend on your child’s age, individual difficulties, progress, motivation and the support available between appointments.
Working independently allows me to adapt the length and frequency of therapy rather than working to a predetermined number of sessions.
Will we have activities to do between sessions?
Where appropriate, yes. I can provide practical activities, strategies or programmes that can be incorporated into everyday life at home. For children attending nursery or school, strategies may also be shared with staff where appropriate.
Where do appointments take place?
Do you offer home visits?
Appointments can take place at home, nursery or preschool, school, or online where appropriate. I also offer sessions at my home. The most suitable setting will depend on where you live, your child, their individual needs and the type of assessment or therapy required.
Home visits allow your child to be seen in a familiar environment and can be particularly useful for younger children or for feeding and swallowing assessments.
For more information, see Ways to Access Therapy.
Can you visit my child at school or nursery?
Yes, school/nursery based appointments are available where appropriate. Initial assessments are often best done at home where children feel most comfortable, but therapy sessions in school or nursery can mean less time out of lessons for children, and no missed work for parents.
Working within the educational setting can also provide an opportunity to work alongside the staff who support your child throughout their day, including teachers, SENCOs and other members of staff.
Do you offer online speech and language therapy?
In-person support is preferable but online sessions are available where appropriate and can provide a convenient and flexible option for some children and families.
Online therapy will not be suitable for every child or every type of assessment. We can discuss whether face to face or online support would be most appropriate for your child.
Do I need to be in the sessions with my child?
It's always helpful to have parents/carers in the initial assessment session, to answer any questions and keep your child as comfortable as possible. For further sessions, you are welcome to stay or not, depending on where the sessions take place and what you feel will be best for your child. Some children prefer a parent present, whilst others seem to concentrate better on their own.
What areas do you cover?
I’m based in Altrincham and work with families across Trafford, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, including Altrincham, Hale, Hale Barns, Bowdon, Timperley, Sale, Urmston, Wythenshawe, Lymm and Knutsford.
If your area isn’t listed, please get in touch as I may still be able to travel to you, or you may be able to travel to my home clinic.
Eating, drinking and swallowing (Dysphagia)
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term used to describe difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing.
Children can experience swallowing difficulties for different reasons, so specialist assessment is important to understand what is happening and determine what support may be required.
How can a Speech and Language Therapist help with eating and drinking difficulties?
Speech and Language Therapists are specialists in head and neck anatomy and physiology. As well as working with speech, language and communication difficulties, those with appropriate specialist training can also assess and support children experiencing eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
I have specialist training in dysphagia and am also SOS Approach to Feeding and SOFFI (Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants) certified.
What happens during a dysphagia assessment?
I take a detailed history to understand your child’s feeding development and the difficulties they are experiencing. This is usually done over the phone to prevent lengthy discussion while your child is hungry! I will then often offer advice for you to implement at home. If necessary I can also observe your child eating and drinking, and may use a stethoscope to listen to them swallowing, so I can better understand what may be contributing to their difficulties.
Following assessment, I will discuss my findings with you and, where appropriate, provide practical advice, therapy and/or an individual programme to follow at home.
What feeding difficulties can you help with?
I am experienced in helping babies and children having difficulties with any aspect of eating, drinking or swallowing. This includes breast or bottle feeding, weaning, progressing through different food textures, food aversion, sensory feeding difficulties, restricted eating, ARFID, mealtime anxiety, tongue-tie concerns, tube feeding or physical difficulties chewing or swallowing.
My child coughs or chokes when eating or drinking. Should I get advice?
Coughing, choking or concerns about your child’s ability to safely manage food and drinks should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
If you have concerns about your child’s swallowing, please get in touch to discuss whether a specialist assessment would be appropriate. If your child is having an acute choking or breathing emergency, seek emergency medical assistance.
Could tongue-tie be affecting my child's eating and drinking?
Tongue-tie is unlikely to affect your child's ability to eat and drink after their first few weeks of life, but if you are concerned, I would be happy to discuss this with you and arrange an assessment.
Working with other professionals
Can you work with my child’s NHS Speech and Language Therapist?
Yes. Where appropriate and with the necessary consent, I can liaise with your child’s NHS Speech and Language Therapist and other professionals involved in their care. Many NHS therapists are happy to work alongside independent therapists and working collaborativley is in the child's best interests.
Can you work with my child’s nursery or school?
Yes. I can liaise with nursery and school staff and provide programmes, targets or practical strategies to help support your child in their educational setting.
Having consistency between home, therapy and education can be very helpful in supporting your child’s progress.
Still have a question?
Every child is different, so you may have a question that isn't covered here. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, language, communication, feeding, eating, drinking or swallowing, please get in touch.
We can arrange a free, 15 minute initial telephone consultation to talk through your concerns and discuss whether further assessment or support may be helpful.