The first assessment can be carried out in any location your child is most comfortable in - your home, nursery or school. The aim of this appointment is to gain a full picture of your child's strengths and needs. This forms our starting point for future therapy, helps set appropriate goals and a way to measure change. This assessment determines if and what kind of therapy is needed.

During the assessment, I talk to you and other key professionals (if appropriate) to obtain a history of your child's development and find out about areas of concern. I observe and carry out activities with your child. I focus on all skills necessary for communication: attention and listening, play, understanding of language, expressive language and interaction skills. This assessment session usually lasts up to one and a half hours.

My assessment findings are fed back to you at the end of the assessment session. I outline my recommendations to you, and together we decide the next steps for your child. This may be further therapy sessions or working through a programme set for your child. In some cases, further assessment may be needed. This will be discussed with you and any additional costs will be explained to you.

You will receive a written summary of the assessment findings within two weeks of our appointment. 

I tailor my therapy sessions to each child, with fun activities so your child feels comfortable and confident to engage and learn. My aim is to empower and guide parents or keyworkers so I expect you to observe and take part in our sessions. This will give your child the best outcomes.

A therapy session usually lasts 45-60 minutes and contains time for discussion with a parent/carer, keyworker or a member of your child's teaching team. We will talk about the aims of the session, progress made, suitable activities to practise. Written feedback will be provided for parents when sessions are carried out in school or nursery settings.

Resources and activities are shared with parents or a member of the teaching team. With your permission, therapy aims will be shared with the child's setting and other professionals involved to help your child achieve his or her potential.

The frequency and type of sessions are based on your child's and family's needs. Therapy options are the following:

- Regular 1:1 therapy session at intervals discussed with you

- Home programme: activities and resources will be given to you to practise and updated as agreed

- School/nursery programme: activities and resources will be given to staff in your child's setting to practise and progress reviewed as agreed

I am flexible and work with your child at home or their childcare/education setting (with permission of the child's setting), or a combination of home or school/nursery. This allows skills to be shared with your child's setting and ensures better outcomes for your child.

Further details can be found in my Terms and Conditions which are available on request.