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The Speech Therapist

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Elstead
The Speech Therapist

Sophie Rodd, Paediatric Speech & Language Therapist. Covering Godalming and surrounding areas.

10/01/2025

So many people feel stuck in a rut, you are not alone. There is so much hope and help out there. Change happens and starts from within. Be Intentional, Be Positive and Start Small.

01/01/2025

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2025! Thank you to all the children, families, educators and friends I've met this year. I feel incredibly lucky to be in this special community! It's only our second year and it feels like home!

16/10/2024

Scroll along to learn about phonological awareness skills! If you have any questions, get in touch!

22/09/2024

Strewing can work really well, but it is super hard when you are desperate to get your child engaged! Have you heard of it? Could it work for you and your child?
/pandas

13/07/2024

I ❤️ AAC!

What is AAC?

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

* Augmentative: Adding something to help a person to communicate, making it easier for them to express themselves and / or to understand.

* Alternative: Refering to other ways to communicate alongside spoken language.

* Communication: The act of sharing information, ideas, thoughts and feelings from one person to another.

Think about using gestures/signing, facial expression, written words, objects, photos and pictures ALONGSIDE spoken words.

We all use AAC, but people with communication needs may rely more heavily on AAC tools.

05/01/2024

It clicked.
Th vs. F
Until this year, My 7 said 'th' as an 'f.' This sound substitution is very common, part of typical development and sometimes a regional dialect. Many children acquire the 'th' sound by about 6 years old.
Mr 7 has been able to say 'th' for sometime but working on it has not been a priority for us, at all... until Mr 7 made it his priority!
The progress all started at the end of last year, when learning one of his lines for the school nativity.
"Archie thought and thought!"
Or, as Mr 7 said it, "Archie fought and fought!"
We had a good giggle about the change in plot! This mix up helped Mr 7 notice the impact of using the wrong sound! It's been interesting to see his brain working; he is able to monitor his own speech and fix up mistakes independently. He's done this all by himself.
Many phonological speech interventions use word sets that differ by a sound to highlight changes in meaning. It just goes to show how powerful these words can be!
Now Mr 7 uses a complete adult inventory of sounds! Where did the time go? My boy is growing up!

16/12/2023

I'm worried about my child's communication skills. What can I do?
1. Identify your concerns
Spend some time thinking carefully about what you've noticed and why you're concerned. Are you just noticing differences in communication skills, or are there behaviours that worry you too? You can use the communication pyramid to help structure your observations around communication. Don't know what the communication pyramid is? Check out my highlights!
2. Share concerns & refer for support
If your child is at nursery/school, speak to their teacher or the SENCO. (SENCO - Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator.) Alternatively get in touch with your GP or the health visitor. These professionals can help you make onward referrals, as required. If you haven't got the support of your school/nursery/health visitor/GP and still feel anxious, trust your gut and call your local Speech and Language Therapy Service for advice. Did you know YOU can refer preschool children to NHS Speech and Language Therapy Services?
3. Check your child's hearing status
Hearing may not have a part to play, but it'sa good idea to rule out any issues.(Parents can often self refer to audiology too!)
4. Dedicate time to help
There are opportunities to develop your child's communication throughout the day, but as life is busy, set ringfence time every day to focus on supporting your child. This can be a specific play time or within a daily routine.
5. Empower yourself
Don't wait for Speech and Language Therapy sessions! There is a wealth of information available online, including blogs, podcasts and Instagram/Facebook accounts! With the right strategies you will make it easier for your child to learn to communicate.
7. Connect
When you have worries about your child it can be very overwhelming and lonely. Reach out to an understanding friend and other parents who have children with communication needs. There is nothing better than a parent friend who 'gets it'.

Address

Woodpeckers Rest
Elstead
GU86DT

Telephone

+447751203376

Website

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