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SALT - Speech and Language Therapy
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The role of a speech and language therapist (SALT) is to assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They may also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.
Speech and Language Therapy aims to help all children to communicate to their best potential, by developing communication skills that may include:
- Comprehension or receptive skills - the understanding of sign language or spoken language
- Expressive skills - getting a message across, through signing, speaking or a combination of the two
- Intonation - changing the pitch of voice / signing style to convey meaning
- Speech skills - using voice and pronouncing words
- Interaction skills - using language in conversations, for example, asking questions
- Pragmatics - using and understanding language in social situations
Speech and Language Therapy aims for lifelong success and learning and ultimately developing communication skills that support successful employment and a healthy mental state.
The title “Speech and Language Therapists can be misleading. We work as part of the teaching and support team to develop children’s functional communication skills. We encourage students to develop independent social and learning skills. We foster a positive attitude towards multi-cultural and multi-lingual education, giving equal value to British Sign Language and spoken languages.
There are about 10,000 speech and language therapists working in the UK. Most of them are employed by the NHS, but some work for education authorities and charities.
Find out more by visiting www.ndcs.org.uk. The National Deaf children’s society has loads of useful information about deaf children for children, parents and professionals.
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