The SpeechWise logo icon which is a green owl within the shpae of a speech bubble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions children or young people may have:

My parents have said a speech therapist is coming to see me. What’s that about?

A speech therapist helps people with communication or speech challenges. They’ll come to see you to understand how you talk or understand things. They might ask you some questions and do activities to help improve any areas you’re finding tricky. It’s nothing to worry about – they’re there to support you!

 

You can watch this video on our YouTube channel which explains more:

Questions parents may have:

Making a decision about what they need

If you’re unsure whether your child needs therapy, we’re here to help. Feel free to reach out to us via phone or email for a free, no-obligation chat. We can discuss your child’s needs and help guide you in making an informed decision. Additionally, your child’s Health Visitor, school, or nursery may offer valuable insight based on their observations, which can also help determine the next steps.

wSpeech and language difficulties can manifest in various ways and may affect one or more key areas of communication. These include:

  1. Speech – This refers to a child’s ability to accurately produce sounds in words. Difficulties in this area may involve mispronunciations or substitutions of sounds.
  2. Understanding Language (Receptive Language) – When a child struggles to comprehend what others are saying. This can include difficulty following directions, understanding questions, or grasping the meaning of conversations.
  3. Spoken Language (Expressive Language) – This refers to how a child uses words to express themselves. It includes forming sentences, using correct grammar (such as verb tenses and plurals), and constructing meaningful speech to share thoughts, ideas, or tell stories.
  4. Social Interaction/Communication – This involves the ability to engage with others effectively, both verbally and non-verbally. Challenges may include difficulty making eye contact, using appropriate facial expressions and tone of voice, understanding social cues, or forming and maintaining friendships.

In addition to these areas of communication, Speech and Language Therapists also support children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. These may involve challenges with drinking, chewing, and swallowing food or liquids safely.

If you’re noticing any of these signs in your child, it may be helpful to consult with a Speech and Language Therapist to explore their needs further.

We understand that the information about Speech and Language Therapy can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it easier for you. Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. We’ll guide you through the options and help you decide what’s best for your child, with no pressure to sign up. If you’d like more personalised guidance, you can also book a session at our Consultation Clinic, where we can discuss your concerns in more detail and help you make an informed decision.
It’s natural to feel concerned about your child’s communication development, especially if others believe they’ll catch up in their own time. While many children do develop at their own pace, it can be helpful to keep an eye on certain milestones to ensure your child’s development is on track. We offer a consultation clinic where we can discuss your specific concerns and provide expert advice based on your child’s current communication skills. This will help you determine whether any additional support is needed, giving you peace of mind and clarity on the next steps. We’re here to help guide you through the process.

It’s completely natural to feel uncertain about the referral, especially if you’re not fully clear on why it was made. The decision to refer your child may have been based on observations from their nursery or school, but we’re here to help explain the reasoning behind it. We offer consultation clinic appointments to discuss your child’s specific communication needs and provide expert advice on whether speech and language therapy is the right next step. This will give you confidence in knowing that your child is receiving the support they need. We’re here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Consultation Clinic

In a consultation clinic appointment, you can expect a warm and supportive conversation where we’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and learn about your child’s communication development. We’ll ask questions about your child’s speech, language and communication, as well as any challenges you’ve noticed at home or in other settings like school or nursery. This helps us gain a clear understanding of their needs and decide if further assessment or therapy would be helpful.

 

It’s helpful if you or another caregiver who knows your child well can attend. Some people also find it helpful for their child’s teacher or a member of their nursery staff to give them some written feedback about how your child is presenting in nursery or school so that they can give the therapist a full picture of their child’s strengths and needs. Together, we’ll discuss the best way forward and ensure you leave with clear advice and confidence about the next steps.

 

 

We’re here to support you, and our aim is to make sure you feel reassured and informed throughout the process.

It’s not necessary for your child to be present at the consultation clinic appointment, although it can sometimes be helpful, depending on the situation. The appointment is primarily to discuss your child’s communication needs, so it’s most important that you or another caregiver who knows your child well is there. If your child is older or able to engage, it can be helpful for them to attend so we can observe their communication firsthand. However, we can always schedule a follow-up appointment if we feel it’s beneficial to meet with your child. Ultimately, we want to ensure the appointment is as helpful and comfortable as possible for you.
While booking a consultation clinic appointment is a great way to start the process, it’s not always required before an assessment. If you feel confident about moving forward with an assessment, we can discuss your child’s needs and arrange an appointment accordingly. However, the consultation clinic can be helpful for discussing any concerns in more detail, allowing us to understand your child’s needs better and ensure that an assessment is the right next step. Either way, we’re here to guide you through the process and help you decide what’s best for your child.

Assessment

An initial assessment is a chance for us to understand your child’s communication needs in more detail. During the assessment, we’ll ask questions about your child’s speech, language, and communication development, as well as any concerns or challenges you’ve observed at home, school, or nursery. We may also ask about your child’s medical history and developmental milestones to get a complete picture. The assessment typically involves a combination of informal discussions, observation, and some activities to help us assess your child’s communication skills. Your child may not need to be present for the entire session, especially if they are younger or if we’re mainly gathering background information. However, if your child is able to participate or if there are specific areas we need to observe, we may include them for part of the appointment. It’s helpful if you, or another caregiver who knows your child well, can attend the assessment. Additionally, teachers or nursery staff who have been involved in your child’s development can also be a valuable part of the process, as they can provide insights from their observations. Our goal is to make the assessment as comfortable and informative as possible for you, so you leave with a clear understanding of your child’s needs and the best next steps.
Yes! It can be really helpful to see a child in school or nursery as we can observe firsthand how they communicate and interact there. Also the staff who work closely with your child can be present, offering valuable insights. With our extensive experience working alongside educators and care providers, we strive to make the process as convenient and supportive as possible for both you and your child.
We understand that finances can be a concern, and we want to make sure you still receive the support your child needs. A written report is not necessary for us to be able to give you advice following our assessment, however a report can be very helpful in ensuring your child’s nursery/school provide the support they require or in securing funding for additional speech and language therapy support. We offer different options to suit various budgets but our main goal is to ensure you have the information and guidance you need to help your child. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we’ll work with you to find a solution that works for you.
We aim to provide thorough and personalised care during every assessment, and the time spent includes not just the appointment itself but also additional preparation, analysis, and follow-up work. This ensures that you receive the most accurate and helpful recommendations for your child. If you have any concerns or need further clarification on the time charged, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and we’d be happy to explain in more detail.

When explaining the assessment appointment to your child, it’s helpful to keep it simple and reassuring. You could say something like, “Someone is going to visit who helps kids with their talking and listening. They’ll ask you some questions and play some games to see how you talk and understand things. You don’t need to worry, it’s just a check-up to help us with your talking and listening.” If your child has already identified that their speech, language or communication skills are different to their friends then you can talk about how the therapist is coming to help with what they’ve identified. Equally, if your child gets frustrated that you haven’t understood them or is finding nursery or school difficult you could explain that the therapist is coming to try and make talking easier.  Our therapists are used to putting children at ease and are happy to provide a more specific plan for the initial session if you feel this would help your child. For example, we can provide a photo of the therapist and a visual timeline to show what the session will involve. Please do reach out to the therapist and let them know how they can make the session as comfortable and stress free as possible for you and your child. You can also watch our explainer Youtube video here, which is aimed at older children and young people:

Reports

Can I use one of your assessment reports to ask my child’s nursery or school to provide additional support?

Absolutely! Our assessment reports are designed to be clear and thorough, making them useful for discussions with your child’s nursery or school. You can share the report to highlight any areas where additional support may be beneficial. The recommendations we provide can help guide the school or nursery in understanding how to best support your child’s communication development.
Yes, our assessment reports can be used to support an application for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). The detailed insights and recommendations we provide can help demonstrate your child’s specific needs and the level of support they require. If you’re applying for an EHCP, we’re happy to work with you to ensure the report meets the criteria needed for the application.
Yes, other professionals, such as teachers, educational psychologists, or healthcare providers, typically accept our reports and recommendations. Our assessments are carried out by qualified Speech and Language Therapists who are registered and regulated in the same was as NHS therapists. Our reports are based on evidence-based practices in line with professional standards and therefore there are no legal grounds for other professionals or services to not recognise our assessments and recommendations. If needed, we can also provide further support to help explain the recommendations to other professionals involved in your child’s care or education.

Therapy or Intervention

We ensure that every recommendation we make is based on a thorough assessment of your child’s specific needs. Our process includes gathering detailed information from you, any relevant school or nursery staff, and through our own observations during the assessment. We use evidence-based methods and best practices to create a tailored plan that focuses on your child’s unique communication needs. Our goal is to recommend therapy that will genuinely benefit your child and help them make meaningful progress so that they don’t need our services any more. We like nothing better than helping children and families reach their goals and equipping them with the skills to keep building and developing their communication skills long after our involvement.
The duration of therapy can vary depending on your child’s needs, goals, and progress. Typically, therapy begins with an initial assessment and is followed by a plan that outlines the number of sessions required to achieve the desired outcomes. We work closely with you to track progress and can adjust the frequency and length of sessions as needed. Our focus is always on helping your child achieve their communication goals as efficiently as possible while ensuring the therapy is effective and engaging.
It’s great that the school is providing support, but speech and language therapy offers a more targeted approach for specific communication challenges. While schools can offer general support, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist can address particular speech, language, and communication difficulties that may not be fully addressed in the classroom setting. We focus on individualised therapy to support your child’s unique needs and can provide strategies that complement the school’s approach.
A qualified Speech and Language Therapist has specialised training and expertise in assessing and treating communication difficulties. They are responsible for creating personalised therapy plans, setting goals, and monitoring progress. Therapy assistants, while also trained, work under the guidance of a therapist to support therapy sessions and assist with activities. The therapist leads the treatment plan, ensuring that it is tailored to your child’s needs, while assistants help to carry out the plan in a practical setting.
Absolutely! Collaboration between therapists, schools, and parents is essential for providing the most effective support. We can work closely with the school to ensure that the strategies we use in therapy align with what is being done in the classroom. This joined-up approach helps reinforce learning and ensures your child receives consistent support both at school and during therapy sessions. We are happy to communicate directly with the school staff to provide guidance and recommendations that will support your child’s progress across all settings.

NHS

Yes, we can absolutely see your child while they are on the waiting list for an NHS Speech and Language Therapist. We understand that waiting times can be long, and early intervention can make a significant difference. We’re here to support your child in the meantime, providing therapy to address their communication needs and helping them make progress while waiting for NHS support.
Yes, we can work with your child alongside the NHS therapist. Sometimes, additional therapy can provide a more tailored approach or help reinforce the work already done. We’ll collaborate with the NHS therapist, ensuring that our therapy complements what they are doing, and we can offer additional strategies to support your child’s progress. We’re here to provide the best possible support for your child’s unique needs.

Payment

Yes, we typically arrange payment in advance of the appointments, depending on which package you have selected. This helps us to secure the booking and ensures that we can continue to offer consistent and high-quality service. For regular ongoing appointments we tend to set up a Direct Debit. If you have any questions about payment terms, we’re happy to discuss the options that work best for you.
We understand that financial circumstances can change, and we want to support your child as best we can. If you’re experiencing difficulty with paying for therapy, please reach out to us. We can discuss alternative options such as adjusting the frequency of sessions, offering a payment plan, or exploring other support services. Your child’s needs are important, and we’re here to help find a solution that works for you.
Yes, we offer flexible payment options, including payment plans that can help spread the cost of therapy over time. Please feel free to contact us, and we’ll work together to find a payment arrangement that fits your budget and ensures that your child continues to receive the support they need.
Yes, we can deliver the interventions listed in your child’s EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan). We are experienced in working with EHCPs and can ensure that the recommended therapy aligns with the goals outlined in the plan. If needed, we can collaborate with other professionals to ensure that the support provided is consistent and tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Absolutely! We can attend professionals’ meetings or annual review meetings to provide insights into your child’s progress and contribute to the ongoing discussions about their therapy needs. Our goal is to ensure that everyone involved in your child’s care is aligned, and we’re happy to work with the team to make sure your child is getting the best support possible.
We understand how important consistency is, especially for children who struggle with change. We will do our best to ensure that your child sees the same therapist for their sessions to help maintain that sense of familiarity and security. If for any reason a different therapist needs to be involved, we’ll work with you to ensure a smooth transition and make sure your child feels comfortable.
Yes, we have specialists with additional training and experience in a range of interventions. If your child requires a specific type of therapy or has unique needs, we can match them with a therapist who has the right expertise to deliver the best possible care. We are committed to providing the most appropriate support for your child’s needs.
If you don’t agree with the recommendations made by the NHS therapist, we can offer a second opinion. Our assessment will be based on your child’s unique needs, and we’ll provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for therapy. We’re here to help you understand your child’s needs and explore the best course of action to support their communication development.
Yes, we can support you during your child’s annual review. If you’re concerned about the potential removal of speech and language therapy support from the EHCP, we can help by providing evidence of your child’s progress and the continued need for therapy. We can attend meetings, provide written reports, and offer professional advice to advocate for the ongoing support your child requires.

Questions professionals may have:

​​Yes, we understand the importance of consistency, and so we always assign a therapist to schools buying in a regular service from us. We know that a service works best if you have someone who can get to know you, your school, the staff and children. The therapist will work with you to tailor your service to ensure that it meets the unique needs of your students and setting. The therapist will regularly revisit this with you to ensure that everything is on track and that the service is responsive to new needs as they arise. You will also be able to get in touch with the therapist’s supervisor if you have any concerns about how the service is being delivered and you haven’t been able to address this through the therapist for whatever reason.
Yes, many of our therapists have extensive experience working in busy school environments and those that are more recently qualified are fully supported by their supervisor to ensure they are able to manage the demands of day to day school life. Our therapists are familiar with the dynamics of school settings and can adapt their approach to deliver effective therapy even in a crowded or noisy environment. Whether it’s working in a classroom or one-on-one, our therapists are skilled at engaging children and managing challenges that can arise in such settings.
Our therapists are flexible and can work in a variety of settings. While a quiet, private space is always ideal, we are experienced in adapting to different environments, including classrooms or group areas. We’ll work with your school or nursery to determine the best space to ensure the therapy is effective and comfortable for your students. In many cases, a small, quiet area is sufficient for most activities and exercises.
Yes, our therapists are happy to provide staff training alongside seeing children. Silver level access to our on demand training hub is included when you buy in a regular service from us. Our training hub has a wealth of training videos on topics that will be relevant to your school and so is a powerful tool in building the knowledge and skills within your team. Our schools have found it a useful resource to use within twilight training sessions or during inset days. You can quickly and simply upgrade your subscription to gold to gain access to further trainings. We are constantly reviewing and updating content on the training hub to ensure there’s always something you can use to update and sharpen your skills. A training hub subscription can be bought without needing to also buy in a regular service, a great option for schools with a limited budget or who we can’t provide a regular therapist for. In addition to the training hub we can offer in person training sessions for the staff team to help them support communication needs in your school. This can include strategies for supporting speech and language development, managing communication challenges, and integrating therapy goals into the classroom setting. We believe that supporting the staff who work with your child every day is crucial for promoting consistent progress. We are happy to plan training around your school’s unique needs and can be flexible in how and when the training is delivered. We also regularly deliver ELKLAN and TalkBoost training sessions and will make sure you’re aware when these are happening.
Yes, we can absolutely deliver the interventions listed in the EHCP. We have experience working with EHCPs and can ensure that the therapy provided aligns with the specific goals and strategies outlined. Our therapists will collaborate with any other professionals involved in the child’s care to ensure that the intervention is consistent and targeted. We also provide updates and reports as required by the local authority.
We understand that assessments and reports are time-sensitive, and we aim to complete them as quickly as possible. Due to the high level of demand for our services it is difficult to give a typical timescale for completing work, but we are happy to accommodate urgent requests and will do our best to meet your deadlines. We will always be honest and upfront if we don’t think we can meet a particular deadline. Please get in touch, and we can discuss specific timelines based on your needs
Yes, we strive to offer a service that provides both high quality and value. While prices may vary depending on the services required, we ensure that our fees are competitive with other providers offering similar services in the region. If you have specific budget considerations or need more details about pricing please do look at our packages and contact us if you would like to discuss options further.
Yes, we have extensive experience working with statutory agencies, including local authorities, schools, and charities. We are fully familiar with their invoicing systems and processes, ensuring that all necessary documentation is provided and compliant with requirements. We strive to ensure smooth communication and a seamless process when working with statutory agencies.
At SpeechWise, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care. Our staff regularly participate in professional development activities, including training, workshops, and conferences. We ensure that all therapists are up to date with the latest research, practice guidelines, and evidence-based approaches. All of our staff have access to regular clinical supervision both individually and in groups.
Yes, we are equipped to provide EHCP assessments and detailed reports across your borough. Our therapists are experienced in working within statutory frameworks and can carry out assessments, provide professional reports, and offer recommendations based on the child’s individual needs. We would be happy to discuss the specific requirements for your borough and how we can support your team in delivering these services.