The purpose of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) at Hedgewood is to maximize each child’s communication skills, and address the specific needs identified in the individual’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Pupils who receive specific SLT support are likely to have needs relating to:

• Language development, that affect understanding and/or expression
• Speech production
• Social and communication skills
• Augmentative and assistive communication (AAC) e.g. signing, symbols and communication aids
• Eating, drinking and swallowing

At Hedgewood, speech and language therapists work in collaboration with parents, teachers and other colleagues e.g. Occupational Therapists, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Together, they develop communication targets to support each child’s full levels access to their curriculum pathway.

Input is delivered in a variety of ways, including:

• Assessment and review
• Specific target setting
• Advice and recommendation
• Class-based intervention and support
• Blocks of individual and group therapy
• Provision of reports for annual reviews
• Home-school liaison as needed and on request

Speech and language therapist also provide support, information and training for school staff and parents on a range of topics.

Approaches used at Hedgewood School

Hedgewood School is a total communication environment. This ensures that all pupils with communication needs receive a consistent and coherent approach across the school. Below are some examples of how communication is supported throughout the school.

Symbols

Pictorial representations of a spoken or written word. Hedgewood School has its own symbol set made up of colour, and black and white symbols which are used throughout the school.

Visual Timetables

Pictorial/photographic/symbolic representation of the order of the school day. Each class has a large timetable running from left to right, or top to bottom. Some pupils require individual timetables or schedules, referring to their daily events or activity sequences.