Speech & Language Therapists

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with children who have difficulties with communication — whether that's forming sounds, building sentences, understanding what others say, or using language socially. Early intervention makes a real difference, and many parents find that regular therapy sessions lead to noticeable progress within months.

What they do

SLTs assess all aspects of your child's communication: their ability to understand spoken language, express themselves, use speech sounds correctly, and interact socially. Therapy programmes are tailored to each child and might include structured activities, play-based techniques, visual supports, or parent-coaching so you can reinforce strategies at home.

When to seek help

If your child isn't meeting speech milestones, is difficult to understand by age 3, struggles to follow instructions, has trouble finding the right words, or finds social communication challenging (common in autism), it's worth seeking an SLT assessment. Health visitors and nursery staff can often flag early concerns, but don't wait for a referral if you're worried.

What to expect

An initial assessment usually takes around an hour. The therapist will play and interact with your child, using specific activities to understand their communication profile. Many SLTs provide a block of weekly sessions (typically 6 to 8) followed by a review. They'll also give you activities to practise between sessions — consistency at home is where much of the progress happens.

Typical costs

Private SLT sessions typically cost between £60 and £120 per hour. Initial assessments may be slightly more. NHS speech therapy is free but waiting times vary enormously — some areas have waits of 6 months or more. Many parents start privately while waiting for NHS provision.