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Intense speech therapy - made a difference

Posted By jupiterbx94

"Intense speech therapy - made a difference"

About: Specialist Child Health & Disability / Speech and Language Therapy Services

(as a service user),

I would like to share my positive experience of the Speech Sound Disorder Programme within the Southern Health & Social Care Trust.

Prior to being seen within this service my son was seen several times within the core speech service team for four sessions at a time, each time with a different therapist. During these appointments one session was used for assessment therefore only giving the therapist and my son 3 sessions to build relationships and provide strategies to help him with his speech issues with no follow up. Ultimately we found these sessions to be frustrating and they caused my son extreme anxiety as he did not enjoy them. We both came away from them disheartened and with the same issues around speech. 

It was agreed during one of these blocks that he would be referred into the Speech sound disorder programme. 

We were first assessed by Linda in July 2023 and from the moment my son and I met her she has provided us with guidance, resources and support to help with my son's speech issues. 

Linda has provided us with two blocks of intense speech therapy and during this time she has gotten to know  my son and how to bring out the best in him enabling the sessions to be so beneficial. There  has been marked improvements in his speech and although we have a long way to go I know we would not be were we are without the help and support from Linda. 

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Responses

Response from Julie McConville, Assistant Director, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 11 months ago
Julie McConville
Assistant Director, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 03/09/2024 at 23:24
Published on Care Opinion on 04/09/2024 at 08:09

Thank you Jupiterbx94 for taking the time to provide this positive story about the Speech Sound Disorder Programme which I will pass onto Linda. It is wonderful news that your son has made good progress with the two intense blocks of speech therapy over the last year and very heartening that your son has benefited from Linda's help and support. We value your feedback and are working to secure funding to expand our Speech Sound Disorder Service.

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Response from Anne McCourt, Operational Lead, Speech and Language Therapy, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 11 months ago
Anne McCourt
Operational Lead, Speech and Language Therapy, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 04/09/2024 at 17:04
Published on Care Opinion at 17:04

picture of Anne McCourt

Thank you Jupiterbx94 for telling us of your sons experience with Linda and about the progress you have seen in his speech following intensive intervention. We know the difference that intensive intervention can make to a child's life and it is so validating to hear this reflected back in your story. Linda is a highly experienced therapist and she finds it professionally rewarding to be able to provide this evidence based programme for severe speech sound disorder. I will make sure to let her know about your appreciation.

I am equally sorry to hear that your earlier experience of our service did not live up to your expectation. In an attempt to be fair handed, we have made all routine intervention blocks into four week cycles. This means that we can reach a greater number of children in a shorter amount of time. I appreciate the valid points that you have raised around consistency of therapist and the time taken for reassessment. I am sorry that this system did not work for your child and that he felt anxious coming to therapy. We are currently in a period of transformation of the the community SLT service for children. Our long term aim is to become more flexible and adaptable in response to the presenting need.

We truly appreciate your feedback and thank you again for posting your story.

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