The Communication Station - Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy

16/11/2025

⭐️3 Top Tips for working on Speech Sounds⭐️

Speech sound work can be fun and you can still get all the practice in without making it seem like work!
It doesn't have to be done at a table and incorporating some movement into activities can be really motivating if a child can't focus for long periods.
I use these 3 activities all the time in clinic and very often children will ask for them.....particularly hide and seek!

13/11/2025

Join us for Let’s Talk — a free online workshop with Leigh from Insight Clinic on exploring how children learn to communicate, from first sounds to fluent conversations.💬
📅 Tues 25th Nov | ⏰ 7–8.30PM | 💻 on Zoom
📞 Call 0808 8020 400 to book your free place

12/11/2025

👶 What is Aspiration? (and how to spot it!)

Aspiration happens when food, drink, saliva, or stomach contents accidentally go “down the wrong pipe” — into the lungs instead of the stomach.

💧 Why it matters:
When food or liquid gets into the lungs, it can cause coughing, infections, or even pneumonia.

✨ Watch for these signs:
👂 Parents often notice things like:

Coughing or choking while eating or drinking

Wet or gurgly voice after swallowing

Breathing fast or noisy after meals

Frequent chest infections

Poor weight gain

Turning red or blue while feeding

If you have any concerns seek an SLT referral for assessment of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing!

30/10/2025

🎗️ October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

As October comes to a close, we celebrate the unique abilities of individuals with Down syndrome 💛💙

Here are some key reminders when supporting communication:
🗣️ Children with Down syndrome often understand more than they can express
💬 Visual supports like sign language & AAC help — they don’t hold speech back
💪 Play-based activities build strong communication skills
👶 Progress may look different, but every milestone matters ✨

Let’s continue to learn, support, and advocate for inclusion and communication for all 💛

💛💙

23/10/2025

🎃 Halloween Fun at Ballyronan Marina! 👻
🗓️ Tuesday, 28th October
🕝 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Ballyronan Marina, 135A Shore Road, Magherafelt BT45 6JA

Join us for a spooktacular afternoon of sensory play, music, crafts, and glitter tattoos! ✨
🧙‍♀️ Fancy dress is optional but encouraged! 🎭

👉 Booking is essential – reserve your spot here:
🔗 https://www.maemurrayfoundation.org/event/halloween-event-ballyronan-marina-28th-october/

07/10/2025

Please use WhatsApp if trying to contact us over the next few days and hopefully the issue will be resolved quickly!

15/09/2025

Around 18 months, many toddlers can use a few words, point to things they want, and can follow simple directions 👶💬

💡 Strategies to support communication at home at this stage include
👉 Name + add language (“ball” ➡️ “big ball”)
👉 Offer choices throughout the day(“do you want milk or water?”)

Keep chatting, pointing, and playing! 💕
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11/09/2025

👶💬Around 12 months, many little ones may start saying simple words, babbling with meaning, and using gestures like waving 👋 or pointing 👉. Every child grows at their own pace—these milestones are just a guide 👶
Using books, songs and rhymes at this age are great ways to develop early communication skills 📖 🎶

09/09/2025

Speech and language therapist Alys Mathers talks about finding new ways to communicate through Makaton, body language and gestures for children with additional needs.

09/09/2025

07/09/2025

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04/09/2025

😄Initial assessment sessions are all about getting to know your child in a way that feels natural and fun.
Activities are carefully chosen to match each child’s unique needs, with plenty of opportunities for play, exploration, and connection—no need to sit at the table! Sessions are child-led, with gentle invitations to play and lots of space for parents’ insights and concerns.

Together, we build a clear picture to support your child’s speech and language journey. 💬🌟