Speech and Language Therapy for Children (West Sussex)

Our Speech and Language Therapy Team support children and young people aged 0 to 16 years old (up to 19 years old for children in West Sussex Special Schools) with speech, language and communication (and/or swallowing) difficulties.

Speech and language therapists are trained to help children to develop their communication skills. 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 to develop good communication skills. Speech and language therapists offer assessment, advice and support in close partnership with families and other professionals. Some speech and language therapists also help children with eating and drinking difficulties.

The speech and language therapists work with children in a variety of locations including children's centres, health clinics, Child Development Centres, special education and mainstream schools, hospitals, and pre-school settings

Speech and language therapists 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

See also:

• Speech and Language Therapy - Early Years
• Speech and Language Therapy - School Team
• Speech and Language Therapy - Complex Needs Team
• Parent Information - Stammering

Children in special schools

Many children in special schools have significant speech, language and communication difficulties. Sometimes these are in line with their general learning difficulties and sometimes these are more specific difficulties.

The staff at special schools know how to work with children with communication problems and the curriculum is adapted to ensure that children with language and learning difficulties are able to learn more effectively. This means that some pupils may no longer require direct support from the speech and language therapy (SALT) team and will not be on the SALT caseload.

Sometimes, despite the adaptations to their learning environment, a child's speech, language and communication difficulties may continue to affect their progress in class or their ability to interact and socialise with their peers. These children may benefit from a referral to our team.

We have a named speech and language therapist for each school and class. School staff are able to access advice and support about any child in the school.

Anyone can refer a child to the SLT Team. If your child is referred by school, you will be asked to sign a referral form to say that you agree to this. If you want to make a referral yourself, you will need to contact the school. You may be asked to give your consent again in the future for further assessments or therapy support.Please contact us on the number below if you would like more information about special and language therapy in special schools.

Your child's progress will be reviewed, and the input they receive will be dependant on their changing needs and abilities.