Speech and Language Therapy

The Speech and Language Therapy Service at Bettridge School is provided by the Cotswold & Vale Primary Care Trust. There are strong links with speech and language therapists working in the other special schools in Gloucestershire, as well as within regional and national special interest group networks. The therapists work a total of six sessions each week throughout the school year.  They are supported by an assistant working for four sessions a week. The main areas of work are: -

• Development of communication at all levels as appropriate, including augmentative systems, signing, symbols and objects of reference.
• Development of feeding patterns through direct intervention and advice to staff and parents.
• Provision of information, training and support for colleagues and carers which promotes understanding and co-operation so that communication and eating/drinking skills can be developed in the context of the pupils’ daily experiences.

Therapeutic input is normally planned as part of the classroom work but some pupils require speech therapy sessions outside of the classroom setting individually or in groups. Therapy is usually delivered in this way to promote a particular area of development for a limited number of sessions rather than for extended periods. The speech and language therapist has a flexible approach aiming to reinforce the programmes of other staff and often works in groups in collaboration with the education staff.