FAQ’s

Every child develops communication in their own way and at their own pace. Some children begin talking earlier, while others develop communication through different pathways or need more time and support.

It is not always easy to know whether your child’s communication is developing differently or whether they would benefit from some additional support. Speech and language therapy can help children with a wide range of communication differences, including understanding language, expressing themselves, speech sound development, fluency, social communication and alternative ways of communicating.

You may wish to seek advice if your child:

• Does not respond to sounds, voices or their name in the way you would expect.
• Has lost communication skills they previously used.
• Seems less interested in communicating or interacting with others.
• Finds it difficult to understand everyday language or follow instructions.
• Finds it difficult to learn or use new words.
• Uses fewer words, gestures or other forms of communication than expected for their stage of development.
• Finds it difficult to combine words or express their thoughts and ideas.
• Is difficult for others to understand.
• Finds conversations, friendships or social interactions challenging.
• Has difficulties with speech sounds or speech fluency (stammering/stuttering).
• Finds reading, spelling or learning more challenging due to language differences.

Older children may also benefit from support if they:

• Need extra time to process spoken information.
• Find it difficult to organise their thoughts or explain ideas.
• Struggle to understand more complex language, such as jokes, sarcasm, idioms or information that is not directly stated.
• Find it difficult to participate in conversations or discussions.
• Have difficulty expressing opinions, reasoning or explaining their thinking.

Communication differences can look very different from child to child. Some children may speak clearly but find understanding language, expressing themselves or social communication challenging. Other children may communicate through AAC, gestures, signs, vocalisations or other methods rather than speech.

If you have concerns about your child’s communication, you can seek advice from your GP, Health Visitor, nursery, school or NHS Speech and Language Therapy service.

Alternatively, you can contact Willow Tree Therapy Services for a free telephone consultation. We are happy to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and advise whether an assessment or further support may be helpful.

Children develop communication in many different ways, and there is rarely one simple reason why a child may need speech and language support.

Some children’s communication differences are linked with other developmental differences or conditions, such as hearing differences, learning disabilities, autism, genetic conditions, motor planning differences, or physical differences affecting speech. Other children may have speech, language or communication differences without a clear underlying explanation.

A child’s communication development can also be influenced by many factors, including their individual learning style, experiences, environment, opportunities for interaction, and the languages they hear and use.

It is important to remember that communication differences are not caused by a lack of effort, parenting or a child not being ready to learn. Every child develops their own unique communication profile, and understanding how a child communicates helps us provide the right support for them.

Sometimes there is no single answer as to why a child communicates differently. What matters most is recognising their strengths, understanding their needs and providing support that helps them communicate in ways that are meaningful for them.

You can pay for speech therapy services by cash or bank transfer. Payment for an initial assessment is due on receipt of the report and payment for regular treatment is usually made on a monthly basis.

We believe that every child with speech, language and communication difficulties should be able to access high quality treatment and are therefore committed to  keeping our therapy rates as affordable as possible while maintaining the highest quality care.

Yes. Some children benefit from support from more than one professional or service, depending on their individual needs.

We recognise the importance of collaborative working and, with your consent, will work alongside other professionals involved in your child’s care, including NHS Speech and Language Therapists, education staff and other members of the support team.

Our aim is to provide coordinated support that builds on your child’s strengths and helps communication develop across the environments that matter most to them.

Following an initial assessment, if speech and language therapy is recommended, we will discuss a therapy plan that is tailored to your child’s individual strengths, needs and goals.

The frequency and length of sessions will depend on a range of factors, including your child’s communication profile, priorities, age, attention and engagement, and the environments in which they communicate.

Some children benefit from regular weekly sessions, while others may benefit from less frequent appointments alongside parent or education support, reviews, or targeted blocks of intervention.

Many therapy sessions are 45 or 60 minutes long, but we will always recommend an approach that best supports your child and your family’s circumstances.

No. Animal-Assisted Therapy is not a separate service or an additional charge. It is one of the therapeutic tools we may incorporate into speech and language therapy when it supports your child’s individual goals, interests and communication needs.

Just as we may use play, sensory activities, outdoor exploration, books, games or AAC within a therapy session, animals may also be included when they provide meaningful opportunities for communication, connection and learning.

Some sessions may include interactions with the animals, while others may take place without them. All sessions are part of your child’s individualised speech and language therapy programme and are charged at the standard therapy session rate.

The wellbeing of our animals is always a priority. We take responsibility for ensuring that any animals involved in therapy sessions are safe, comfortable and able to choose whether to participate in interactions.

Animals are never required to take part, and we carefully observe their behaviour and body language to ensure that sessions remain positive and respectful for both the child and the animal.

We continue to undertake relevant continuing professional development to support safe, ethical and effective Animal-Assisted Therapy practices. The health, welfare and individual needs of each animal are considered throughout every session.