Speech & Language Therapy Service
Speech and Language Therapy Service for children and young people in Highland.
What are speech, language and communication needs?
Speech, language and communication needs can present in different ways including:
Difficulties producing speech sounds accurately and clearly
Difficulties socially interacting with others e.g. understanding the non verbal rules of good communication or using language meaningfully to question, clarify, describe things or express feelings.
Voice problems, such as hoarseness/loss of voice
Difficulties understanding language (making sense of what people say)
Difficulties using language (words and sentences)
Stammering
How Can Speech and Language Therapy help?
Some communication needs are short term and can be addressed through effective early intervention.
Speech and Language Therapists offer information, training and support to parents, education staff and others working with children as part of their universal service. In Highland “Words Up” is an approach that is used to provide key messages to support children’s language and communication development. Speech and Language Therapists can offer support to develop and embed these skills in everyday practice.
For more information about this click on images for bumps to bairns and Highland Literacy;
Bumps to Bairns
Highland site assembled by a range of specialists to support parents and those who work with young children.
Highland Literacy
To support children’s Literacy and English development in Highland, the Highland Next Generation Literacy resources have been developed to support learning and teaching across three progressive stages as part of a learner’s broad general education.
Other communication needs require more specialist assessment to identify the nature of the communication difficulties and appropriate management.
Speech and Language Therapists commonly work along with families, education staff, other professionals and carers supporting people to live with and manage communication difficulties. They also provide training and strategies to the wider workforce to improve the communication environment for children and young people and help others identify and support communication needs effectively.
The Speech and Language Therapy Service is part of a team contributing to the assessment and management of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, working in Special Care Baby Unit, paediatric wards and community settings. Requests for eating, drinking and swallowing can be made directly to the Service on 01463 720047.
Speech and Language Therapists work in the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service in Highland. Enquiries and requests can be made to nhsh.nds@nhs.scot
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Anyone can make a request for assistance to the Speech and Language Therapy Service. Please contact our enquiry line if you wish to discuss a concern.
How do people contact the service?
Call our “Just Ask” enquiry line
Every Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 4pm there will be AHPs available to answer questions you may have. Staff usually available are: Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Primary Mental Health Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychological Service Home Visiting Teachers (PSHVTs), Autism Practitioner, Community Learning Disability Nurses.
A professional will aim to be in touch within a few days of your initial call. If the professional does not manage to get in touch within 7 days please do ring the number back.
The enquiry line is for all young people, parents, carers and professionals in Highland Council area to access. Please call us on 0300 303 1365 or email SLTservicehighland@Highland.gov.uk
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