Speech Language Therapy Service

Overview

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech Therapy involves the assessment and management of various conditions affecting a person’s ability to speak, communicate, eat and drink.

Communication difficulties include language delays/disorders, social communication difficulties/disorders, speech sound disorders, stammering/stuttering and voice disorders. Children with communication difficulties may show some of the following:

• Difficulty understanding or expressing him/herself at an age-appropriate level
• Difficulty using language in social interactions
• Mispronunciation or distortion of sounds
• Disruption to the natural flow of speech
• Abnormal pitch, loudness or quality of the sound produced

These may result in difficulties being able to understand and express themselves clearly or accurately, interacting with others, and/or with academic work.

Feeding and/or swallowing difficulties include infant feeding difficulties, pediatric feeding difficulties/disorders, problem feeding, oromotor difficulties/disorders and dysphagia. Children with feeding and/or swallowing difficulties may show some of the following:

• Difficulties sucking on the bottle or breast
• Irritability or excessive crying during feeding
• Lethargy or lack of alertness during feeding
• Extended feeding times (e.g. more than 30 minutes)
• Coughing or gagging when feeding
• Frequent vomiting
• Picky about different textures of food or difficulties managing harder textures
• Sensation of food or liquid is sticking in the throat during swallowing

These may result in difficulties eating and drinking, which may also result in poor nutrition/growth, frequent illnesses and increased risk of pneumonia or lung infections.

Our Speech Therapists assess, diagnose, manage and help infants, children and adolescents with difficulties related to communication, as well as feeding and swallowing.

Sessions

What Typically Happens During Speech Therapy Sessions?

Assessment
To understand your concerns and your child better, an assessment will be conducted during the initial consultation. Our Speech Therapist will review the child’s medical and social history and obtain any relevant information before conducting an evaluation of your child’s communication, feeding or swallowing skills. We use physical examination, speech and language assessments, mealtime evaluations and/or instrumental technology (such as Videofluoroscopy Swallowing Study (VFSS)), to diagnose and guide management. This initial assessment serves as the baseline for developing an appropriate individualised management plan to meet the needs of your child and family.

Therapy
Following assessment, therapy may be recommended. Therapy focuses on developing and/or maximizing your child’s potential in communication and/or feeding. The methods and strategies used may vary depending on your child’s diagnosis and difficulties. Where appropriate, telehealth and/or group sessions may be provided. We work closely with caregivers and with other professionals such as doctors, allied health professionals and educators to provide quality care in both outpatient and inpatient settings. A home programme may also be developed collaboratively with you to facilitate optimal communication and/or feeding development for your child.

Assessment and therapy sessions typically last around 30-60 minutes each, depending on your child’s needs and type of therapy provided.

Appointment

How Do I Book An Appointment?

If you are concerned about your child’s communication and/or feeding, you are advised to speak to your doctor regarding your concerns. Your doctor will then evaluate if Speech Therapy will be appropriate for your child and make an onward referral to a KKH doctor. An initial assessment session will be scheduled once the KKH doctor has made the referral to the Speech Language Therapy Service.

More Information

Where Can I Get More Information?

For more information regarding communication and feeding milestones, disorders, and strategies, please refer to our Instagram page below:

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