index

		First Step Mission
		First Step Concept
		First Step Method
		Condition Treated
		Training


		Physiotherapy
		Occupational Therapy
		Speech & Language Therapy
		Ayurvedic massage Therapy
		Lokomat Therapy
		Sensory Integration
		Patient Education

		Web Site Links

		Newsletter

Speech Language Pathologist are concerned with the prevention, identification, diagnosis and (re) habilitation of children and adults with hearing impairments and communication disorders .We work with parents/carers and others to assess if a child has speech and/or language difficulties, Communication or eating and drinking difficulties. We use a wide variety of specialized instrumentation and procedures to assess speech and language. We participate in programs and on teams that provide consultative and direct treatment services. We are responsible for counseling of clients and families and for appropriate referral to other professionals.
Why Do Speech And Language Therapists see Children? As communication skills are crucial for intellectual, educational, social and emotional development Speech and Language Therapists work with children and young people who have problems with understanding, expressing themselves and using communication to socialize appropriately.		Who Do Speech And Language Therapists Work with? Speech and Language Therapists work in close partnership with the child and their family, education, social work, other healthcare professionals and the voluntary sector. Together they have a shared responsibility for meeting children’s needs.
WHAT DOES SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY INVOLVE? Therapy Options may include: Group Therapy Individual Therapy Home Programme School Programme Monitor and Review WHAT TYPE OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS DO WE TREAT? Assessment and intervention will be Provided for: Communication disorders (comprehension and expression) and swallowing disorders. Speech Production Problems errors. Voice pitch, loudness and intensity. Fluency Disorders. Hearing impairment. Specific Language Impairment, Autism and Intellectual Disability. Stroke / Head injury. Design and employ augmentative and alternative communication. Consult regarding language stimulation, inclusion. Strategies and teaching adaptation for students with language impairments Following the agreed period of support the child’s progress will be reviewed in partnership with Parents/carers and others and further recommendations and actions will be adopted according to the child’s changing needs. DISCHARGE The child will be discharged from therapy for one or more of the following reasons: Communication potential achieved Child not benefiting from therapy at this time Child/young person or family does not want to continue with therapy. FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CENTER: First Step Pediatric Rehabilitation Center Rose Cottage Barnakyle Patrickswell Co. Limerick 061 320330 Visit : www.righttherapycare.com		HOW LONG DOES A CHILD NEED THERAPY? Every child is different. Children will need therapy for varying lengths of time. Some may require few sessions and others may require life long support. INTERVENTION There is a range of possible ways of supporting a child or an adult. These will always involve working with and through parents and others such as classroom assistants, speech and language therapy support workers, class teachers, learning support teachers, and nursery workers. Possible ways of supporting the child may include one or more of the following: Training and advice for parents/carers and other service providers (health, social work, education) Provision of programmes of work and ways of supporting the child in different environment and by different people Assessment and provision of communication aids and resources Involvement with educational and transition planning Direct therapy with child individually or in a group.