SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICE

What we do?

Speech and language therapy session We assess, diagnose and treat children and adults (from birth to the end of life) who have feeding, swallowing or communication impairments. These may range from mild to severe. We work with individuals, groups or on a consultative basis. We also run workshops and training activities for parents, carers and other professionals.

About the Team

Our team of Speech and Language Therapists are members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and are registered with the Health Professions Council. We are trained to degree level and are committed to continuing professional development, undertaking post-graduate courses in specialist areas.

What is a Communication Impairment?

Congenital factors e.g. Downs Syndrome, Cleft Palate, Cerebral Palsy
Progressive disorders e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia
Acquired disorders following Stroke, head injury, encephalitis, meningitis
Cancer
Voice disorders
Dysfluency (stammering)
Developmental delay
Specific language disorders
Specific speech sound difficulties
Hearing impairment
Learning disability

Paediatric Service

Who do we see?

Our team provide services to children from birth-18 years. We provide care to children with difficulties in;

Speech Development
Language Comprehension and Expression
Learning Difficulties
Voice Disorders
Stammering
Swallowing
Social Communication

Locations

The Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team deliver services from various locations throughout the Island. The team is based at Central Community Health, Westmoreland Road Douglas, however children and their families access the service through a number of settings, including:

Nurseries and Primary Schools (Mainstream and Specialist)
Home visits
Speech Therapy Clinics: Douglas Community Health Centre; Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital; and Thie Rosien Clinic, Port Erin.

What do we do?

We provide the Island's pre-schoolers and schoolchildren with an assessment, review and therapy programme in order that each child reaches his or her full communication potential.
We ensure that all children with feeding and swallowing difficulties receive prompt assessment and recommendations on feeding regimes for each individual child.
We refer, through established protocol, children for off-Island assessment at specialist clinics.
We work within a multidisciplinary team, joining with representatives from Health and Education.

How to Refer:

Written referrals can be sent to: Secretary Speech and Language Therapy Department Crookall House Demesne Road, Douglas IM1 3QA

Secretary’s Office: 642630

Adult Service Who do we see?

The clients we see include those with:

Communication or swallowing difficulties resulting from brain injury or stroke
Communication or swallowing difficulties resulting from progressive neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Motor Neurone Disease; Dementia)
Voice problems
Dysfluency (stammering)
Communication or swallowing difficulties resulting from Head and Neck surgery

Locations

The Adult team delivers a service to in-patients at Nobles and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (RDCH), including the Rehabilitation Unit (Ward 20, Nobles Hospital) and the Hospice. Outpatient clinics are held at Nobles Hospital and when appropriate clients are also visited in their homes or in Residential or Nursing Homes.

What do we do?

Following assessment treatment plans will be developed to meet individual needs and may include:

Therapy to rehabilitate lost function
Provision of advice and strategies to maximize current function. For patients with swallowing difficulties this may involve modification of consistencies and textures of food and drink
Education of family / careers
Advice on communication aids (where appropriate)
Onward referral to other agencies / professionals (e.g. dietetics; radiology; ENT)
Liaison with support groups and other professionals

We also provide training (in communication and swallowing difficulties) to other members of the multi-disciplinary team (nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and healthcare assistants)

How to Refer:

For swallowing problems please contact your G.P. or nurse who will make a referral on your behalf. For communication difficulties you may go through your G.P. or other medical professional or contact us directly:

Speech and Language Therapy Medical Outpatients Nobles Hospital Braddan IM4 4RJ Tel: +44 (0) 1624 650128

Learning Disabilities Service

Who do we see?

We work with both children and adults who have been identified with a learning disability. The clients we work with include those with:

• Communication difficulties associated with learning disability • Feeding, drinking and swallowing difficulties • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Communication and/or swallowing difficulties arising from a medical condition or developmental syndrome • Children and adults who have profound and multiple learning disabilities

Locations

The Learning Disability Team works in a variety of settings around the Island according to the needs of the client:

• Pre-school assessment Centre • Special Needs Units in schools • IoM College • Children’s Resource Centres • Adult day Services • Adult Residential Services • Homes and voluntary/charitable organisations

What do we do?

The Speech and Language Therapist is involved in the assessment and planning to facilitate both communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties. Support plans are provided to individuals to identify the level of input they will benefit from. Meeting individual needs may include:

Therapy to work on specific areas of speech and language – which can be delivered in one-to-one or in group sessions
An individual communication support plan
Provision of advice and strategies to support the individual.
Where swallowing difficulties are identified, advice is given as to supporting feeding and drinking, perhaps with the issue of a personal place-mat. Recommendations are also given regarding the modification of textures and consistencies of food and drink, including the appropriate presentation of meals (eg, using food moulds)
Support in developing a personal communication passport
Education and training to staff, families and carers
Liaison with support groups
Advice and support in the use of low-tech and high-tech communication aids (AAC)

Other Activities

The Speech and Language Therapy Learning Disabilities Team also provides advice and support to other professionals working in this field and are involved in projects including:

The Isle of Man Total Communication Plan
Signalong training
Intensive Interaction – including coordination the IoM Regional Support Group and the training programme
Hanen training for parents and professionals
Advice to Inspections and Registrations on standards for Health and Well Being for Adults in Residential settings