Speech and Language Therapy
The Speech and Language Therapy Department works with children and adults who have communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The department provides a local and national service to individuals with physical and multiple disabilities which includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Speech and Language Therapy services are provided in CRC Clontarf, Scoil Mochua and Waterford.
Communication
Speech and language therapists assess, diagnose and treat people
with communication difficulties. Communication difficulties include problems
with;
- Speech: Individuals may have difficulty with pronouncing words. They may also have related difficulties with drooling.
- Language: Individuals may have difficulty using or understanding language. This includes: using and understanding grammatical structures, vocabulary and processing more complex information.
- Communication: We all communicate using lots of different methods. We communicate with our eyes, gestures and facial expression. Individuals may need help in developing their social communication skills so that they can use eye contact, take turns and understand the rules of conversation.
Each individual attending the department will have their skills assessed. Where areas of difficulty are identified, an individualised treatment plan for each person is developed.
Depending on the individual, these plans may be carried out through home programmes, or in treatment blocks. The department provides Early Intervention Programmes which aims to prevent difficulties arising as well as treating difficulties early to achieve the best outcome. For young children who attend a number of services, this early intervention treatment is provided through the TAC team. link to The Speech and Language Therapy
Department also provides specialist services in the areas of:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Difficulties (EDS)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Some individuals will have difficulty communicating
using speech and may need to use other means of communicating to support
their speech
or instead
of speech.
Augmentative and alternative communication is the term used
to describe these methods and an individual will use these tools alongside
their own natural
communication skills.
AAC includes the use of signs or gestures, communication symbols and boards as well as specialised computers which speak out a person's message.
The Speech and Language Therapy Department provides specialised assessments and intervention in this area to enable individuals to communicate as effectively as possible.
Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Difficulties (EDS)
The department leads the CRC's multidisciplinary Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Difficulties service. This is a service for individuals who have difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing related to their physical disability. Individuals may be referred to the clinic for a variety of reasons including, difficulty with coordinating the movements necessary for chewing and swallowing, or difficulty managing utensils for self feeding. Difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing may have implications for an individual's health, nutrition and safety. This services provides a comprehensive assessment carried out by a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietician and Doctor and a management plan is tailor made for each individual.
The EDS service also runs a videofluoroscopy clinic in conjunction with Temple Street Hospital. Videofluoroscopy is a moving x-ray used to look at a person's swallow.
Training and Support Services
The department provides national workshops and conferences in Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Difficulties and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. The department is also active in providing training and conducting research on EDS, AAC and communication difficulties related to physical disability.