When we have children of our own we sometimes feel that we need help in supporting them develop the skills needed to interact with others.
We are now part of a new integrated Children and Young People's Therapy service, combining SLT, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy together.
If you would like to check the progress of a child’s communication skills, you can use the Progress Checker on the Talking Point website. Once you have done this, you can come back to our Buckinghamshire Speech and Language Therapy website and look at activities for the suggested areas using our Communication Carousel.
The Communication Carousel includes activities and resources linked to each area and level of development.
The website is full of helpful information and activities to support families and staff in the children’s wider workforce to help children develop communication skills, regardless of whether a referral for specialist support is needed.
If after completing the progress checker and attempting the activities on the Communication Carousel you still have any concerns about your child’s speech and language you can make a referral.
Early Years referral
If your child is under five and you are worried he/she is not saying enough words, you can talk to an SLT at one of the Stay and Play sessions at many of the local Children's Centres. Alternatively, it may be better for you to access a face-face assessment by booking a Screening Clinic appointment. The Screening Clinics have allocated slots, so we are only able to see people who have called to arrange a slot. Please phone us to discuss what will be best for you and your child 01296 566045
Please bring the following to your Screening Clinic appointment:
- A completed and signed referral form.
- Any other professional reports, for example, Paediatrician, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, other SLT reports.
- Your child’s Red NHS Baby Book.
- Written parental permission if the child is brought by anyone other than a parent.
At the short Screening Clinic appointment the therapist will briefly assess your child and give advice
- The session gives you an opportunity to discuss your concerns about your child.
- The therapist will find out about your child’s needs through observation and/or assessment, and may offer a further appointment.
- You may need to return for a longer assessment appointment with your child.
- You may be directed to organisations that support children and young people with specific needs and again the Bucks SLT website provides useful information on available specialist support.
- You will be given a short written summary for you to refer to and share with your child’s preschool setting or school. This will help provide coordinated care for your child.
You will start the therapy with your child at home immediately after the screening appointment, following the advice the therapist gives you.
The main emphasis is on working with parents, families, staff in preschool or school, so they are able to build skills to support your child day to day. If further therapy is needed, you may be required to attend a parent talk followed by someone to one sessions or a group. Bucks SLT staff now aim to see most children in a setting (Children’s Centre, pre-school or school) so they can help staff in those settings to apply communication strategies on a daily basis.
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