Referrals and Appointments

• Worried About a Child

  

  Are you worried about your child’s communication development?

  Use this progress tracker from Talking Point to check your child’s communication development.

  I CAN, the children’s communication charity, (UK Registered charity 21003)

• Where will my child be seen?

  

  We usually see your child for initial assessments in the clinic. We offer follow up assessment/therapy in a variety of settings. We offer this according to service guidelines and depending on where the child is most likely to reach their full potential. This might be in your home, the clinic or in school/nursery.

• What should I expect the first time I go to see the Speech and Language Therapist?

  

  We may send you a questionnaire to bring to your first appointment. This will help the Speech and Language Therapist gather some information about your child. The therapist will ask you questions about your child’s development and will assess your child’s speech, language and communication skills. This could be through observations, play and/or formal assessment. We will discuss the outcome of the assessment with you.

• What happens after my first appointment?

  

  Following assessment we will discuss with you the appropriate intervention for your child. Intervention may be direct e.g. 1:1 therapy, group work, coaching, or indirect e.g. advice and strategies, a programme, training. We will choose the type of treatment according to your child’s needs and we will discuss this with you. We will send you a copy of the report detailing assessment findings and recommendations.

• Parent training and groups

  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with our latest training offers that may include:

  • Signalong - a national sign language system that we use across WWL
  • Groups where you can learn and practise to use symbols to help your child communicate

  1:1 Online Communication Consultation Sessions

  Half hour virtual slots for parents, carers or SEN staff. Children/young people do not need an open referral to access these sessions.

  • Revise any strategies in a child/young person's programme or report
  • Discuss any communication issues relating to a child/young person who is not currently receiving direct speech and language therapy
  • Discuss any communication issues and whether a child/young person needs a (re)-referral to our service for active therapy

  Follow this link to book a slot. 

  AAC Support Sessions

  One hour parent/carer support groups to connect with other families who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

  • Safe space to share experiences, ask questions, and offer support to one another
  • Discuss issues related to your child
  • Revise strategies, learn new tips and tricks 
  • Venue will be texted to you. Please email wiganaac@nhs.net for details if you have not received these

  Follow this link to book your place.

   

• Referral for pre-school education and reception age

  

  Your child’s nursery can book to speak with us and talk about strategies that may help. If your child is still struggling, your nursery can then refer to the Speech and Language Therapy Department. 

  Click here to view guidelines about whether a child would benefit from a referral to our service.

  Click here to download a communication referral form to our service.

  You can download a dysphagia (eating/drinking) referral form here.

• Referral for school age children and young people

  

  Schools can speak to a therapist to get helpful strategies and if they need more support, they make a referral to the speech and language therapy department.

  Click here to view guidelines about whether a child would benefit from a referral to our service.

  Click here to download a communication referral form to our service.

  You can download a dysphagia (eating/drinking) referral form here.

• Self-referral by parents or young people

  

  If you are concerned about your child’s speech, language or communication you can refer them.

  Click here to view guidelines about whether a child would benefit from a referral to our service.

  Click here to download a communication referral form to our service.

  You can download a dysphagia (eating/drinking) referral form here.

• Virtual Appointment

  

  Your follow up appointment might be virtual. Click here to download a copy of the virtual appointment leaflet.

• About our clinics

  

  The majority of buildings we use are accessible e.g. they have wheelchair access – however if you have accessibility needs, please contact us before your appointment so that we can support those needs.

• Therapy in Schools

  

  If your child needs support in school, we will carry out visits there to work with staff.

  If your child attends special school, your therapy support with be provided in school in collaboration with parents.

• Home Visits

  

  Sometimes we may need to visit a child at home. In this case we will arrange this directly with the parent.