| The term Speech therapy is an abbreviation for | | | | degree course in Speech and Language therapy |
| the longer term Speech and Language Therapy | | | | at one of only 10 Universities offering the course |
| as practiced by a Speech and Language Therapist. | | | | throughout the U.K. |
| A speech and Language therapist working with | | | | Most courses run over four years and two or |
| Young People would need to understand; | | | | three Universities offer a post grad entrance |
| Play and imagination skills | | | | following a previous degree. |
| Listening and concentration skills | | | | Candidates require A levels to enter onto the |
| Expression of language concepts - correct use of | | | | course, although some equivalent qualifications |
| concepts such as big, little on, under | | | | may be accepted. |
| Language structures - can they follow words in | | | | The course itself Is very intensive, running across |
| sentences | | | | five days a week, plus placement. Throughout the |
| Expression in sentences - are the sentences well | | | | course training speech therapists should gain lots |
| formed? | | | | of practical experience of Pediatrics and adults |
| Social communication and understanding of social | | | | through their weekly or block placements. |
| rules; can the person contribute to conversations, | | | | When qualifying a newly qualified practitioner must |
| understanding humor etc. | | | | meet the Royal College Speech and Language |
| Behavior; people may appear agitated and | | | | therapists Competencies with the first year or |
| frustrated as a result of not being able to | | | | two of practicing. |
| communicate themselves effectively | | | | What other disciplines work alongside Speech and |
| Use of language - ability to comment, request and | | | | language Therapists? |
| greet etc. | | | | Often Speech and Language Therapists will work |
| Speech therapists will often specialize as either a | | | | alongside Educational Psychologists if the child or |
| Pediatric or adult therapist, although some | | | | young person attends school or a nursery. The |
| therapists may also work with adults with learning | | | | therapist may work alongside Occupational |
| disabilities as well. | | | | therapists, Physio therapists, Music therapists and |
| Therapists can decide to specialize even further, | | | | play therapists. |
| for example working predominantly with clients on | | | | It can be really beneficial for therapists to make |
| the autistic spectrum, with clients dysfunctions, | | | | joint visits in order to fully assess the child's needs |
| with clients who have eating and drinking needs, | | | | in relation to their physical development, cognitive |
| with pre-school clients, with secondary school | | | | development and emotional development. |
| aged clients and some therapists may develop | | | | Where you will come across Speech Therapy? |
| into managing therapists working as team leaders, | | | | Speech therapists can work for the National |
| or within the management structures. | | | | Health Services or Independently as part of the |
| Training to provide Speech Therapy? | | | | therapists own practice, or where they are |
| A speech and language therapist carries out a | | | | employed directly by a school/care setting. |