What does SALT mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

A speech and language therapist is an allied health professional trained to assess, diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders. Speech and language therapists are experts in recognising the underlying causes of communication problems and offering treatment plans tailored to individuals, helping them become better communicators.

During an assessment, a speech and language therapist will use observation, testing and questioning to gain information on the individual's communication skills. This helps them to identify any areas of difficulty, such as understanding instructions or forming words. After identifying difficulties, they will provide advice on possible treatments or strategies that can help improve their communication skills.

Sessions usually last between 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the age of the individual, the type of therapy being provided and the progress they are making towards goals. A typical session may include activities such as working with pictures/objects or sound-based activities designed to build communication skills.

Yes! Speech & Language Therapy services are available for adults too! SLT can help adults with managing conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis which can affect speech and communication abilities. The therapist will work with individuals to develop strategies for improving any speech or language difficulties that have been identified.

Every individual is different so it's hard to make generalisations about how quickly results can be expected - it really depends on factors such as severity of the disorder, progression over time etc.. However, some small changes may be seen soon after starting therapy with more significant improvements becoming apparent over time as therapy continues.

It is usually recommended that individuals attend their speech and language therapy sessions once a week where possible in order to maximise progress towards goals although this may vary depending on availability or needs of the individual.

Costs vary depending on location but generally insurance companies cover at least some portion of speech therapy costs for those who qualify for coverage under their plan. For those without insurance coverage, fees charged by private practices may range from $50-$200 per session.

Techniques used by SLTs depend largely on the individual they are working with but some common techniques used include conversation practice, visual aids (e.g flash cards), soundbased activities (e.g singing) vocal exercises (e.g humming) gestural activities (e.g pointing). Generally these activities help encourage improved communication abilities among clients in fun and interactive ways.

Yes! Virtual SLT is available during COVID restrictions - many clinical organizations now offer online services via secure video conferencing platforms such as Skype or Zoom for clients who cannot access services due to physical distancing measures put in place due to COVID-19.