Speech and Language Therapists at Dysart School work across two main areas: Communication and Eating and Drinking and Swallowing.

Communication – we work with all children in the school to:

–  Help students to fulfil their communicative potential

–  Promote language and communication skills within the classroom and wider school environment

–  Enable pupils to access the curriculum, learn and make progress

–  Support the development of pupils’ skills in the following areas:

• Attention and Listening
• Understanding and use (expression) of language
• Spontaneous and independent (functional) communication
• Speech clarity
• Social interaction & communication
• Use of alternative methods of communication e.g. PECS, PODD, high-tech communication aids

Eating, Drinking and Swallowing – we aim to maximise pupils’ eating, drinking and swallowing skills, including:

–  Accepting/tolerating different textures and tastes of foods and drinks

–  Chewing

–  Swallowing

How we work

Speech and Language Therapy at Dysart provides a range of evidence based interventions, through collaborative working with parents/carers, education staff and other professionals within Dysart School.   Our current approach is in line with best practice guidelines provided by our governing body, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.   Our input is based on each individual pupil’s needs.

Training

The Team provides regular training on communication and eating, drinking and swallowing to all school staff in order for them to be kept up to date with relevant and evidence-based therapy programs and strategies, for use within the classroom.

Specific areas of training can include:

• Attention skills e.g. Attention Autism activities devised by Gina Davies
• Interaction e.g. Intensive Interaction by Dave Hewitt
• Functional forms of Alternative or Augmentative Communication (AAC) e.g. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD)
• Understanding and Using Language e.g. Colourful Semantics, Makaton Signing
• Social Communication skills e.g. Social Stories
• High Tech Voice Output Communication Aids e.g. Eye Gaze devices, iPad-based communication software

The Speech and Language Team

Niva Gosden, Speech and Language Therapist
Georgie Redington, Speech and Language Therapist
Rachel Olivier, Speech and Language Therapist
Nicole Walpole, Speech and Language Assistant
Heini Furrer, Speech and Language Assistant

If you have any questions or would like advice about how to support your child’s communication or eating, drinking and swallowing at home, please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Team at Dysart-office@dysartschool.org