Specific Language Impairment, or SLI, is a well-known diagnosis amongst Speech and Language Therapists working with children across a range of ages. Whilst difficulties like Autism, Dyslexia, and perhaps more obvious speech difficulties are more commonly known and recognised by individuals outside of the profession, Specific Language Impairment is much more of a hidden difficulty.
Children with SLI can often find it difficult to hold on to the verbal information that they hear in the classroom environment, and likewise find it difficult to express themselves as concisely as some of their aged matched peers. SLI is often overlooked, and unfortunately children can find themselves getting told off for their behaviour or lack of attention in the classroom when the reality is that they are simply not comprehending what is being said to them and are therefore struggling to respond and act appropriately. Think for a moment how frustrated you would feel if you could not fully comprehend the language that was being used with you, and found it equally difficult to express your own thoughts and ideas. It?s not difficult to imagine how easily frustration could end up as challenging behaviour.
As well as working directly with your child on their language needs and building their language strengths, Speech and Language Therapists are experienced at working with children and adults to put strategies in place to help children with SLI to access education and overcome their difficulties. At Integrated Treatment Services we are able to assess your child in their classroom environment and see how their specific difficulties are holding them back. By observing the child in the environment where the SLI is likely to have the biggest impact, the Speech Therapists at I.T.S are able to understand how best they can help the child, and how best they can collaborate with teaching staff to assist the child in achieving their communication potential. We offer Speech and Language Therapy in the East Midlands, Birmingham, Warwickshire, London and even further afield in Northern Ireland. To learn more about where we offer private Speech and Language Therapy, please take a look around our website and get to know our team. We look forward to working with you at Integrated Treatment Services.
If you think that your child, relative or friend may benefit from speech and language therapy or associated therapies, I.T.S could be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Anna Mason, November 2012
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services.
I.T.S is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire. Services are also available in other parts of the U.K including London, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Essex, Middlesex and the East Midlands. We are also able to offer services in Ireland, Dubai and India. I.T.S specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists (speech therapy), but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Educational Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists