Our deafness and hearing loss speech and language therapy team specialise in working with babies and children who have speech, language or communication needs (SLCN).
You baby or child will have been diagnosed with
- Permanent hearing loss
- that is moderate to profound in severity
- in both ears
- who use hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- and where the hearing loss is considered to be the main reason for their SLCN.
Children who don’t fit these criteria can still be offered support for SLCN but will fit into a different part of our Speech and Language Therapy service.
Read more about different types of deafness and hearing aids/implantsHow is a referral made?
Following discussion with you, your baby or child will be referred to us by your child’s qualified teacher of the deaf (QTOD) or other member of the children’s hearing services team. We work closely with the teachers and often complete joint visits together. We will also work with you to optimise your child’s communication skills.
Referrals are made using our usual route, see pages on referral guidelines on our website. We work with a range of ages, once a need has been established, from toddlers up through primary and secondary school.
What will the specialist speech and language therapist do?
We look at all aspects of speech, language and communication. We will try to assess your child’s skills in all the languages they use including BSL or signing as well as other spoken languages.
We will look at the following
- Skills that develop before language such as eye-contact, turn taking, and play skills
- Understanding of spoken language and/or signed language
- Use of spoken language and/or signed language
- Speech skills: looking at both the speech sounds a child can hear and use as well as looking at other areas such as voice quality
- Social skills: such as asking for help if something has not been heard or understood clearly; asking questions to show interest in others
We work across all schools, nurseries and/or homes in the city to support deaf children and their families.
We work intensively in the two primary and one secondary hearing impairment additionally resourced provisions (HIARPS) for those children that require this provision.
Across the settings, we offer a range of care packages which could include:
- Initial assessment to identify whether there is a speech, language or communication need.
- Programmes and advice written for home/school.
- Regular therapy, when this is felt to be appropriate.
- Opportunity for advice to be requested if needed.
- Contributing to a child’s education health and care plan (EHCP).
- Working with the QTODs and other Education and Health staff to provide joint support for children.
What can school/parents do to support their child?
- Encourage your child to use the technology they have been given and keep it clean and in good working order. Speak to the professionals involved with your child if this is difficult.
Talk and or sign to your child using simple language
Useful links
- National deaf children’s society has lots of useful ideas and information
- Deafness and speech and language therapy has some general information and advice.
