Speech & Language therapy at InFocus aims to:
- Profile an individual’s skills and needs
- Develop and maximise speech, language and communication skills in all environments
- Promote inclusion into educational, residential and social contexts
- Promote access to a specialist VI curriculum
- Minimise secondary difficulties arising from a communication impairment
- Support others as a person’s communication needs change and develop through childhood and adolescence.
We also have a Dysphagia Specialist who manages and supports students eating, drinking and swallowing needs.
Total Communication Approach
The total communication approach is about finding and using the right combination of communication methods for each person. This approach helps an individual to form connections, ensures successful interactions and supports information exchanges and conversations. A combination of methods are used, which reinforce each other and strengthen meaning for the individual. Examples are:
- signing
- intensive Interaction
- objects of Reference
- symbols/ other visual supports
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
This is a range of strategies and tools to help people who struggle with communication.
Examples are:
- signing
- symbols/ Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECs)
- Voice Output Communication Aids
- switches
- High Tech Communication Devices.
We use individual and group input to develop:
What are the benefits of speech and language therapy?
Speech and language therapy can provide many benefits to an individual, such as
- Increased confidence when communicating with others
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Improved social integration
- Greater independence in daily activities, such as dressing, eating and drinking
- Increased awareness of language and communication strategies
- Improved ability to follow instructions and understand information both verbally and in writing
- Improved ability to express thoughts, feelings, needs and wants
At our specialist SEN college, students have everything they need to develop speech and language skills. With a range of specialist facilities, we aim to create the best environment for our young people.
How Can Parents Help?
Providing an environment where their child feels safe and loved is essential so that they feel confident about expressing themselves. Here are some ways to help your child:
- Encourage interaction – Encourage their child to interact with others whenever possible, as well as talking to them often
- Use visuals – Use pictures, photos and other visual aids whenever possible to help your child understand better.
- Praise – Provide positive reinforcement when they use their words or gestures correctly and praise any attempt at communication.
- Read together – Read books, both fiction and non-fiction, to encourage your child to talk about what they read.
- Listen – Listen carefully and be patient if your child struggles to express themselves.
What are some speech and language therapy techniques?
Speech therapy techniques can help improve an individual’s ability to produce and understand language. Therapists use a variety of methods to help individuals of all ages develop communication skills, including the following:
Role play: Role-play activities are a great way to help individuals increase their confidence when speaking in public or when conversing with others.
Articulation: Articulation activities help individuals learn how to produce sounds correctly and improve their pronunciation.
Language stimulation: Language stimulation activities help individuals understand and use language more effectively.
Fluency: Fluency activities are used to help individuals develop smoother, more natural speech patterns. This can include repetition, sound changes and volume control.
Voice Therapy: Voice therapy is used to help individuals improve the clarity and accuracy of their speech.