The Speech and Language Unit (SLU) is a specialist provision within Hadassah Hall School. We provide specialised education for children with significant speech and language difficulties; now known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Children attend the Speech and Language Unit either part-time, returning to their own school after a day’s session, or full-time depending on their level of need.
Speech and Language Therapists ( SALT) work with parents/carers and others to assess if a child has speech and/or language difficulties, communication or eating and drinking difficulties. The therapist will consider the difficulties the child has and the impact these will have on his/her life. If appropriate, the therapist will decide how the child can be helped to reach their full communication potential.
What is a Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
A child with a DLD will have difficulty using and/or understanding spoken language.
Some children with a DLD also have difficulty with written language.
A child with DLD develops language in an atypical way. His/her language skills may be ‘patchy’ with some aspects severely affected, while other areas are developing well.
Children with DLD have language skills that are significantly lower than their non-verbal skills.
No two children with DLD present in the same way.
Children with DLD may show some difficulties associated with their language problems. These include difficulties with attention and listening behaviour, general organisational issues, and memory or social interaction, but none of these should be the child’s primary presenting problem.
At Hadassah Hall, we believe strongly that oracy and communication skills are integral to the curriculum, and we ensure that they are interwoven into all subjects and lessons. As such, when a child experiences difficulties with their speech, language, or communication, we respond quickly and provide support to ensure they develop these skills and become confident and able communicators. We are lucky enough to have our own speech and language therapist, Dumebi Ezar Ehigiator, who carries out speech works three days a week . She works with all our children, from Nursery to Grade 6, and is an important part of the school team, providing essential support to all children with communication needs.
Alongside direct work with the children, Dumebi also works closely with the staff team to better understand, identify, and support children’s needs within lessons and the wider school community. She provides training and ongoing advice and leads on the delivery of speech services in the school.
How will the Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) work with my child?
Speech and language therapy (SaLT) is delivered through joint planning with teaching staff and parents/ carers.
Speech and language aims may be included in the child’s Individual Education Programme (IEP).
Children may be seen individually or in small groups, either in their classroom or in the therapy room.
Formal assessments are completed once a term for most children. Parents/ carers can discuss their child’s speech and language progress with the speech and language therapist at a mutually convenient time.
Interventions
There is a range of possible ways of supporting a child. These will always involve working with and through parents and others, such as teaching assistants, speech and language therapy support workers, class teachers, and nursery workers.
Possible ways of supporting the child may include one or more of the following:
1. Training and advice for parents/carers and other service providers (health, social work, education)
2. Provision of programmes of work and ways of supporting the child in different environments and by different people
3. Assessment and provision of communication aids and resources
4. Involvement with educational and transition planning
5. Direct therapy with children individually or in a group
Following the agreed period of support, the child’s progress will be reviewed in partnership with parents/carers and others, and further recommendations and actions will be adopted according to the child’s changing needs.
Discharge
The child will be discharged from therapy for one or more of the following reasons,
1. Communication potential achieved
2. Child not benefiting from therapy at this time
3. Child/young person or family do not want to continue with therapy
Speech Therapy Consultation is strictly by appointment.
To book an appointment, please send a WhatsApp message to +2348188881819.
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