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SUPPORT
I work with children (and their families) with complex needs who require bespoke speech therapy support with their communication needs, feeding support and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
I have over 25 years’ experience in working with complex needs children. My passion for holistic child centered therapy started 13 years ago. I recognised the need to support children with specialist clinical speech therapy assessments and treatment and so Louise Songhurst Consultancy services was established from my independent practice.
Each child I support is embraced with love and humility. My flexible total communication approach to rehabilitation speech therapy allows me to work alongside other supporting specialists (assistive technologists, case managers and teams) ensuring the child is receiving a collaborative rehabilitation programme dedicated precisely to their needs. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to deliver a gold standard of neurorehabilitation alongside a specialist team.
My clinical observations begin by building a holistic case history, noting where children strengths and needs are and prioritising their future communication aspirations. Each child I support is placed at the very centre of their speech therapy intervention.
I also use a combination of child led and communication partner resources, strategies and specialist technology, known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), to assist children with their communication. The AAC approach allows me to adopt methods and devices which support augment communication.
If you want to know more about the AAC approach and the support and devices available (such as environmental controls using specialist software and access methods), get in contact with me on 07873 109 366 or e: louise@speechtherapyservice.co.uk
Speech and language assessment is a complex process which requires the integration of information from different sources. I offer evidence-based speech therapy assessments which draw on a wealth of clinical experience of neurorehabilitation and resources to help support your child at home and in their educational setting.
Other reports, assessments and plans offered include:
I provide bespoke training to all communication partners in families on Grid 3 (an online communication package designed to support individuals with complex communication or access needs) and the implementation of AAC within educational settings.
Get in touch with me for more information, or for free information on how best to support your child’s communication requirements…
Each new case involves an initial consultation with the child’s parents or carers, followed by an assessment of the child to ascertain exactly what support is required and what support is already in place. My role will then often include observation work and a series of assessments which are shared with the family and the other professionals involved in the overall care package.
I work closely with parents and family members; supporting them in a number of ways including offering communication strategies and advising of specialist AAC equipment or techniques that may help their situation. For example, a child who is struggling to swallow may benefit from different feeding equipment, texture changes, positions or techniques to help make eating and drinking safer.
Whatever your concerns, put your mind at ease by talking them through with a qualified professional.
Let’s talk
With the right support in place from the early stages of neurorehabilitation through to young adulthood, children and families can thrive. No two clinical support packages will be the same as every child’s needs are unique. There are, of course, common themes that arise as the journey through childhood develops.
My clinical knowledge, experience and evidence based research can support your child’s communication needs in their individual capacity. Independent speech and language therapy recognises this and ensures that your child is at the centre of their neurorehabilitation.
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I am experienced in producing high-quality speech and language therapy medico-legal and expert witness reports for legal proceedings involving children with communication difficulties and/or dysphagia. I provide professional, evidence-based speech and language therapy medico legal expert witness reports for cases arising out of birth injury, head injury, cerebral palsy. This service includes:
Please get in contact if you would like to discuss your requirements for an expert witness specialist report.
If you would like to read more of my published work, I have recently completed a research project based on parents’ self-compassion caring for their children and I am a contributor to the book Picky Eaters: A guide for Early years Practitioners by Dr Jo McCormack 2016.
For an informal chat, or to book an appointment, please contact me (Louise) on 07873 109 366 or e: louise@speechtherapyservice.co.uk
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