I am an independent Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in the treatment of children over the age of 12 months who have difficulties with eating, drinking, saliva control and communication difficulties.
I typically see the child in his/her own home/nursery/school. Should they live too far away from me to make this viable, I am able to see children at my consulting room.
Each child is assessed by means of a detailed case history and gaining the parents’/carers’ views on their child. I observe the child eating.
Assessment and therapy need to be collaborative; parental/carer and other professionals’ perspectives are always considered. Permission from a child’s parent(s)/carer(s) will be sought before I contact other professionals.
Following assessment, my findings are discussed with (where appropriate) the child and his/her parent(s)/carer(s).
We then plan the most effective way of helping that particular child.
We try out ideas together and as long as the parent(s)/carer(s) are happy, we arrange a follow-up at a mutually agreed interval to enable everyone to try out strategies before reviewing the child’s progress.
My approach is flexible, being child and family centred, so that parent(s)/carer(s) and other staff feel they have the information and skills they need to provide carryover between our sessions.
I encourage parents to write notes for themselves.
With parental/carer consent, I sometimes use video to help demonstrate helpful strategies and to train other carers/school staff.
A report and summary of suggestions are provided following the completion of my assessment.
Follow-up reports are written as necessary.
Where appropriate I refer families on to colleagues, such as an educational psychologist and/or developmental paediatrician, for further help.
I am always happy to discuss therapy with families/carers and professional staff.
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I offer clinical supervision to Speech and Language Therapists. This can take place at my office or by telephone.
April Winstock
CertMRCSLT, HCPC, MASLTIP
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