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Southern Services - Speech and Language Therapy in Early Intervention
Many children who have an intellectual disability have difficulty in communication. They may find it hard
to understand what is said to them and may have difficulty in expressing themselves. Their speech may be
difficult to understand and some people may not develop speech.
Communication is more than just using speech and language. There are many less obvious skills involved
which are equally important to the development of communication. Some of these are:
Listening
Symbolic/Pretend Play
Oral skills
Eye contact
Facial Expression
Taking Turns
Gesture
Pointing
Children with intellectual disability may need help to develop these skills. They may also need to learn
other means of communication, such as signing, use of pictures and communication aids to help them
achieve their communication potential.
Therapists also work on developing the skills of the carers and staff working with people with
communication disorders.
How We Work
Speech and Language Therapists assess, diagnose and provide therapy to people with communication
disorders. We may also work in the area of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
We work as part of a team, which for example may include: Parents, Carers, Pre-school Therapists,
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Home Support Workers, Physiotherapists, Nurses,
Social Workers and other complementary therapists.
The therapy process may include:
Individual Programme Plans
Individual or group based programmes,
Supported home/school based programmes,
Parent/carer education programmes.
Therefore therapy input may be direct, or indirect through families/carers and/or other staff. Training of
staff and families/carers is an intrinsic part of Speech and Language Therapy service delivery.
Therapists are also a resource to therapists working in the generic services regarding issues such as
appropriate referrals to specialist services such as ours and they also provide support on a consultative
basis regarding therapy.
Contact:
The Manager
Speech & Language Therapy Department
Brothers of Charity (Southern Services)
Lota
Glanmire
Co. Cork.
Further information on the role of the Speech & Language Therapist can be found in:
Speech and Language Therapy in Special Schools
Speech and Language Therapy in Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders (A.S.D.)
Speech and Language Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorders (A.S.D.) – Triest School
Speech and Language Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorders (A.S.D.) – Sonas Special Pre-school
The Role of the Speech & Language Therapy Therapist in the Brothers of Charity (Southern Services) - PDF 188 KB
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