Speech and language therapy

This is for the parents and carers of deaf children who are interested in finding out about speech and language therapy. 

It aims to provide information, advice and practical ideas to help with children’s communication and has been jointly written by us and representatives from the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist.

Communication development starts from the moment a child is born and is a process that never stops. 

Even as adults we are still learning language. Speech and language therapy aims to help all children to communicate as well as possible. It aims to develop:

• communication skills that may include receptive language (what your child understands)

• expressive language (what your child signs or says)

• speech skills (how your child pronounces words) and

• interaction skills (how your child uses language in conversations, for example, by asking questions).

For deaf children, speech and language therapy is most effectively provided by parents working with their child’s therapist to help their child’s communication skills during everyday life. Your child’s speech and language therapist will also work closely with other professionals who may be involved with your family, in particular your child’s teacher of the deaf.

Whatever communication choices you make for your child, speech and language therapy may be able to help your child to further develop their communication skills.  Speech and language therapists provide a service that takes into account the needs and wishes of both you and your child.

Please click on the link above to download the pdf file and read or print the whole factsheet.