Flowers in bloom

Perhaps a little too early to be thinking of Spring but the blue skies and sunshine today made it feel closer to reality.

Nature always provides the best representation for what we are trying to achieve in Speech and Language therapy. A big part of therapy intervention is focused on the environment and cultivating the right 'climate' for development to occur. I personally do not like to ever use the word 'fix' as it assumes that something is 'broken'.

In reality, flowers grow differently. They grow in different shapes and colours and it always amazes me that no two flowers are the exact same! Unique as they are beautiful.

A speech and language therapist can support in identifying hidden opportunities in daily activities and routines. Sometimes, it is just by looking through a different lens to see the opportunities. This is why most initial assessments include an observation at home/nursery or both.

It is important to note that this does not mean that the environment is causing the speech and language difficulty! It means that with subtle tweaks and shifts, we can make a big impact.

When I work with any child, I have a holistic approach. This means thinking about what things they like to do and where. Again, it takes in to account the environment!

The initial assessment will usually be at a child's home as I have typically found that this is where they are most comfortable and where I can readily build a rapport.