What does this service provide?
We provide support to children and young people aged 0 to 16 years old (up to 19 years old in Special and Complex Needs Schools) with speech, language, communication difficulties and/or swallowing difficulties.
Who we are
We are a team of speech and language therapists and assistants who are trained to help children to develop their communication skills.
What we do
Some children find talking and listening harder than others. They might find it hard to understand what words and sentences mean. Some struggle to find the right words or sounds to use and put them in order. These children may need help from a speech and language therapist or assistant to develop good communication skills. We offer assessment, advice and support in close partnership with families and other professionals.
We work with children in a variety of locations including health clinics, Child Development Centres, schools, hospitals, and pre-school settings.
We can advise and help develop the following:
- attention and listening
- play skills
- understanding and using spoken language
- recognising and producing speech sounds
- using language socially
- other ways of communicating, e.g., using signing and symbols
- voice production
- fluency/stammering
Appointment information
Appointment types
Your appointment letter and an SMS text will provide you with information on your appointment location. Typically, school aged children and young people are seen in school.
We offer face-to-face, virtual and telephone appointments. We also offer individual and group appointments, and some parent only workshop sessions.
Services are provided through the following focused areas:
How can I access this service?
Most children with speech and language difficulties are identified for assessment by the Healthy Child Programme Team before they go to school. Children at school with speech and language difficulties are usually referred to the speech and language service by the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or school nurse.
If you think that your child might have speech and language difficulties, you should speak to the health visitor or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at your child’s early years provider or school who will be able to offer advice and support. You can also contact us directly if you are worried and would like more advice.
Where can I access this service?
Waiting times
You will be advised of the waiting time for the clinic or service your child has been referred to in an acknowledgement letter.
Contact details
Where can I find resources for this service?
Early years
Start for life – NHS website with lots of videos and tips about your child’s feeding development.
BBC tiny happy people – activities and ideas for developing your child’s communication skills. There are also regular posts on Instagram.
Words for life – ideas for supporting language development based around chatting, playing, and reading.
Health for under 5’s – information for parents about a range of health issues.
Local libraries (Brighton and Hove)/ Local libraries (West Sussex) - your local library is a wonderful source of amazing books that are all free to borrow. Pop in to join (free) and find out more. Look out for ‘Baby Boogie and ‘Story Time’ sessions, and other activities for children.
Complex needs
Autistic spectrum
PECS: An Evidence-Based Practice
Autism Navigator – general advice
Autism Toolbox – Autism Resources
Literacy
National Literacy Trust | UK Literacy Charity
Children's Books for Speech Therapy - Book Share Time
General – language
Communication Foundations (Health Brain Architecture)
Role of the Parent in Early Language Development (Hanen)
You are the key to your child's first words (Hanen)
Early 2 Way Conversations (Hanen)
Sounds and gestures: building blocks for your child's first words (Hanen)
Gestures (First Words Project)
Gestures (First Words Project)
Baby Group (BBC)
Toddler time (BBC)
Social Communication/ Autism
OWL, Join In, Imitate, Follow Child's Lead (Hanen)
Sensory Preferences (Hanen)
People Games (Hanen)
Make yourself the most exciting thing in the room (Hanen)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
AFASIC/ What to look out for in school aged children
Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder - RADLD
Dysphagia
Start for life – NHS website with lots of videos and tips about your child’s feeding development.
Child feeding guide – strategies and tools for fussy eating and creating happy mealtimes.
Toddler and Infant Nutrition Advice - Infant & Toddler Forum
Feeding matters – an American website with lots of information and resources for children with feeding difficulties.
IDDSI International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative – contains information on levels of food and drink texture and consistency and how to test levels accurately.
The food chain – why can’t my child swallow? – an informative podcast on BBC sounds about swallowing difficulties in children with information from the perspective of parents and families.
What happens in a videofluorscopy video - videofluoroscopy is an investigation that may be requested for your child to help clarify specific swallowing difficulties.
Understanding and managing fussy eating video
Stammering
The British Stammering Association
Michael Palin centre for stammering
Action for stammering children
Deafness
National Deaf Children’s Society
RNID - National hearing loss charity
Cleft palate
Selective Mutism
Selective Mutism Information and Research Association (SMIRA)
Brighton and Hove Council
Speech and language therapy for children and young people
Children's Speech and Language Therapy - frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about children’s speech and language therapy appointments.
Stammering advice for parents, carers and teachers
General advice for parents, teachers and carers of children who stammer.
Top tips for talking
Read our top tips for talking by our Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service.
Friends and family test
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Let's get social
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Get the best from your NHS
If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).
Contact details
You can contact PALS by the following:
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