Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose private speech and language therapy?
The main difference a private speech and language therapist can offer compared to the NHS or education service is that a private therapist can see your child quicker, offer flexibility with appointment times/location and enable you to see the same therapist on a consistent basis which is not always feasible in the NHS/education services. There is no difference between the quality of therapy provided by therapists working for the NHS and those working privately, and all therapists are trained to the same high standards.
What happens during the assessment?
Initial assessments can take place at your child’s home/nursery/school. The appointment will include a case history, formal and/or informal assessment (as appropriate) and feedback. A summary report will be provided explaining the assessment findings and recommendations. Length of the initial assessment may vary dependent on the presenting clinical need. Appointment length is typically around 60-90 minutes. In certain circumstances further assessment sessions may be recommended, these will be discussed with you as required and charged at the hourly rate. If you have any reports/letters that you feel may be useful, please do bring these with you.
How many sessions will my child need?
Every child is different with some making faster progress than others. Some children may only require one block of therapy whereas others may need ongoing therapy for a longer period of time. Therapy sessions generally tend to be weekly or fortnightly and will be jointly agreed between you and me. Typically, a block of therapy lasts 6-8 weeks before being reviewed. The most progress is made when activities are carried out by parents/school staff between sessions.
Will you let me know if I need to see any other health care professionals?
If your child would benefit from further assessment from other professionals, e.g., an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Educational Psychologist (EP), this will be discussed directly with the child's parents and advice can be provided on how best to obtain this support.
Can my child still have NHS speech and language therapy?
Yes, please do access NHS speech therapy if you have this option. If your child is receiving support from the NHS please let me know and I will endeavour to liaise with them to ensure assessments aren’t replicated and we work together/alongside each other in the best way to support your child.