Making a request for assistance
We can receive a request for assistance from any concerned individual.
Please contact us via our helplines or drop-in sessions if you have a concern about a child’s speech, language or communication.
Helplines and drop-in sessionsWhat we do
Our qualified and friendly teams work with:
- children
- young people
- carers
- families
- other health, education and social care partners
We operate in many different locations across Ayrshire and Arran. This includes:
- schools
- early childhood centres
- hospitals
- clinics
- health centres
We use a tiered service model made up of three levels:
- Specialist – Working with children on a specific speech, language or communication need, for example one to one with a child.
- Targeted – Support for specific groups of people or populations – for example training, or group interventions in schools, nurseries and communities.
- Universal – For all children and young people, their families and those who work with them – for example training, providing information and communicating through social media.
Your first appointment
The first appointment will act as an assessment. It usually lasts for around 30 minutes.
The speech and language therapist will ask questions about:
- your child’s birth and history
- your child’s development in areas like walking, play and self-help skills
- your concerns about your child’s speech and language
- any family history of speech and language problems
At the first appointment, the speech and language therapist may:
- talk and play with your child
- look at your child’s toys and pictures and ask questions about them
- look in your child’s mouth and to make funny faces or copy sounds
At the end of the first appointment, the speech and language therapist will:
- discuss your child’s assessment with you
- explain the findings
The speech and language therapist will discuss a range of possible options for your child. These may include:
- advice on how to encourage speech and language with your child
- regular checks on your child’s speech and language development
- therapy – either individually, or in a group in nursery, school, clinic or at home
The decision to proceed with speech and language therapy is yours. If you decide to proceed, it is likely you will be asked to support your child’s therapy at home.
Ages and stages
Most children develop speech, language and communication in a predictable sequence.
New skills build on skills they have already learned. Usually, we expect language and communication to develop over time and by a certain age. Yet, most children will progress at their own pace.
A useful checker for ages and stages is available from Speech and Language UK.
Resources
Please see our resources below to help your child in their speech, language and communication development.
Helping your child
- Speak clearly so that they can understand you.
- Be face to face – always be physically on their level to maintain interest and contact.
- Set some special time aside to play or talk with your child. This helps build the relationship between you and your child. When they are younger, you can play with toys and picture books. When they get older, you can talk to them about their day or about their interests.
- Don’t interrupt – stop, look and listen. It’s important not to rush in and take over when your child is speaking. Give them a chance to communicate first. Try counting to 10 – if they have not attempted the word by then, say it for them so that they can hear what it sounds like, and then move on.