Why Assessment and Support Plan Speech Therapy Can Be Just What Your Child Needs

As a speech and language therapist, I completely understand why parents often ask for regular 1:1 therapy sessions for their child. It feels like the most direct, hands-on way to help – and in some situations, it absolutely is. But here’s something really important that often gets overlooked: the most powerful support for your child doesn’t always happen in a clinic room. It happens at home, at school, and in everyday moments with the people who know and love them best – you. Assessment-only input (with a detailed plan of how to support speech and language in everyday life is often actually a really effective way forward for your child.

What Is Assessment and Support Plan Support?

An assessment with Support Plan package means I meet with you and your child to understand their communication needs. I then give you personalised advice, strategies, and activities that you – and their school – can use every day to support progress. Depending on the situation, I might offer follow-up reviews to see how things are going and adjust the plan.

This model puts you in the driver’s seat – and that’s not a compromise. It’s a strength.

Why 1:1 Therapy Isn’t Always the Answer

Therapy works best when it’s regular, consistent, and meaningful. Weekly sessions in a clinic can be helpful, but they are just one hour out of 168 in the week. What your child experiences the rest of the time – the words they hear, the responses they get, the chances they have to practise communicating – makes a much bigger impact.

Parents and teachers are with children every day. When you know what to do, you can weave speech and language support into daily routines, playtime, mealtimes, story time, and classroom activities. That’s how communication skills really grow – through repetition, context, and connection.

But I’m Not a Therapist…

You don’t have to be! My job is to give you the tools and confidence to support your child in a way that fits into your life. That might mean helping you notice what your child is already trying to say, teaching you how to model key words, or showing you how to build communication into your usual routines. It’s not about perfection – it’s about being responsive and consistent.

I’ll also liaise with school staff so they understand your child’s needs and how they can support communication during the school day.

What Parents Often Find

Parents who start with an assessment-only with Support Plan package are often surprised by how much they can do and how quickly they see change. They realise they already have a strong relationship with their child – they just needed a bit of guidance to use it in the most effective way.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re looking for speech and language support but can’t access regular 1:1 sessions, please know that assessment and strategy-based input is not a second-best option. It can be a flexible, empowering, and impactful way to help your child thrive.

If you’re interested in an assessment and personalised support plan, get in touch – I’d love to help.

www.speechtherapycentral.co.uk/contact-us/

When we talk about neurodivergence, we’re talking about brains that work differently from the majority – and that’s not a bad thing. Being Autistic is one form of neurodivergence. It isn’t a disease or something broken that needs to be fixed. Instead, it’s a natural variation in how people think, feel, communicate, and experience the world.

Sadly, a lot of information about what being Autistic is, still comes from an outdated medical model that focuses on “deficits” – things a person supposedly lacks when compared to a person who is not autistic. But that’s not how we see it. We believe in a more modern and respectful approach, one that recognises being Autistic for what it really is, a natural brain difference – not a disorder to be cured.

Autistic people have strengths and areas they work on – just like Non-Autistics. Some might have an amazing memory, deep focus on their passions, creativity, or a strong sense of justice. Others might need support with things like speech and language, communication, sensory overload and interacting in a world designed for non-autistics.

The difference is, the world is built for neurotypical people – those whose brains work in the more expected way. So Autistic people often face challenges not because of being Autistic itself, but because society doesn’t always make space for different ways of being. That’s why support is still important – not to “fix” autistic people, but to help them thrive in a world that wasn’t designed with them in mind.

Being Autistic is just one way to be human. Different, not less. And the more we understand that, the more inclusive the world can be.

If you’re looking for support/ speech and language therapy for your Autistic child that’s rooted in real connection, led by their interests, and built on deep respect for who they are as a unique individual – we’re here to help them thrive.
✨ Get in touch with us today to find out how we can support your child’s communication journey Contact

A Guide for Concerned Parents

As a speech and language therapist, I often meet parents who are worried because their child isn’t talking as much as they expected. If you’re reading this, you might be experiencing the same concern. It’s natural to feel anxious when your child seems to be behind in their speech development. This blog post aims to provide some guidance on understanding and addressing your child’s speech and language development.

Understanding Speech and Language Development

Children develop speech and language skills in stages, and the timeline can vary widely. Here’s a general overview of what you might expect at different ages:

• 0-6 Months: Babies begin with cooing and babbling. They may start to make a variety of sounds, and you might hear them practicing their vocalizations.
• 6-12 Months: Babbling becomes more complex, and babies may start using repetitive syllables like “bababa” or “dadada.” They also start to understand simple words and commands.
• 12-18 Months: Many toddlers start to say their first words and can begin to combine two words together, such as “mama” or “more juice.”
• 18-24 Months: Vocabulary grows, and toddlers may begin to put together simple sentences. They should be able to understand simple instructions and questions.
• 2-3 Years: Vocabulary expands rapidly, and children start to use more complex sentences. They begin to articulate their thoughts and needs more clearly.

When to Be Concerned

While there is a broad range of what’s considered “normal” in speech development, there are certain red flags that may indicate the need for further evaluation:

• By 12 Months: Not using any words or sounds to communicate.
• By 18 Months: Limited vocabulary (fewer than 10-20 words) and not combining words.
• By 24 Months: Difficulty understanding simple instructions or questions, and not using simple sentences.
• By 36 Months: Limited sentence use, unclear speech, or significant difficulty in understanding.

Strategies to Encourage Speech and Language Development

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech and language development, here are some strategies to help encourage their language skills:

1. Consider how you talk to your Child: Engage them in conversation throughout the day. Describe what you’re doing, as you go about your day, and give them time to respond. Think about what you are saying, try not to ask too many questions, look at what their attention is on and comment on that. This will give them the language needed to describe their experiences without feeling pressured by having to answer questions that they may not be ready to do.
2. Use an additional visual cue alongside words – This could be objects, photos, pictures or Makaton signs. If these are used consistently, they will give your child another way of communicating while their speech is developing. Some parents can worry that use of sign will stop their child from talking but this is untrue and seeing use of e.g. sign alongside hearing the spoken word can support language development.
3. Create opportunities for your  child to ask for what they want – We know our children so well and can often guess what it is that they want so provide it for them without waiting for them to ask for it. Remember to give your child time to ask for what they want and accept that this may in a number of different ways.
4. Play and Interact: Playtime is an excellent opportunity for language development. Use toys and games to model new words. Join in with whatever your child is interested in playing with and follow your child’s lead.
5. Encourage Imitation: Imitation is an important skill for developing communication. Encourage imitation of movements, actions and sounds. For sounds, you could gather a sound bag with an object to represent different sounds such as a car for ‘brrrmm,’ a tissue for ‘attchoo,’ a snake toy for ‘ssssss..’ Take out the objects and have fun making.
6. Be Patient and Positive: It is so worrying when a child is not talking but try to celebrate your child’s efforts and progress, no matter how small. Try to keep interactions playful. Your child will start to see that communicating is fun.
7. Create a Language-Rich Environment: Surround your child with opportunities to hear and use language. Sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, and engage in everyday conversations.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech and language development, it’s important to seek professional help. A speech and language therapist can assess your child’s needs and provide targeted strategies to support their development. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s speech and language outcomes.

Conclusion

Remember, every child is unique, and variations in speech and language development are common. By understanding the stages of language development and using strategies to support your child, you can help foster their communication skills. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional guidance. The earlier you address any issues, the better the outcomes for your child.

If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to me or other speech and language professionals. We’re here to help you and your child on this journey!

Feel free to share this blog post with friends and family who might benefit from this information. And remember, you’re not alone—help is available, and every step you take towards supporting your child’s development is a step towards their brighter future.