Speech & Language Therapy

After contacting the Speech Language Therapist for a language or communication issue, the first step is an assessment. This assessment starts with a conversation and/or questionnaires. Next, formal tests and informal evaluation are offered to identify language and communication strengths and challenges.

The Speech Language Therapist analyses the results and provides you with a diagnosis. Further diagnostic examinations may be recommended, such as sight and hearing tests. If the assessment shows it will be useful, the therapist will suggest you a personal treatment plan.

Speech Language Therapy intervention is always customized and, most of the time, one to one. Parents/caregivers are involved as much as possible. For very young children, the SLT will work with the parents/caregivers rather than the child.

Treatment sessions usually last 40 minutes or 1 hour and happen weekly. They may continue for several weeks and may happen over several years, with intervals, depending on the depth of the issue and the progress. The Speech Language Therapist sets specific short and long-term goals for each client and uses a range of enjoyable activities to achieve those objectives.

Cécile Baude intervenes for the therapy of various communication and learning disorders:

• Written language disorders: reading and/or writing issues (dyslexia, written expression, comprehension, and spelling difficulties).
• Language and speech production impairments: language delays, speech sound disorders, and dysphasia.
• Stuttering: stuttering and fluency disorders in children, teenagers, and adults.
• Handwriting disorders: dysgraphia, fine motor skills, and handwriting remediation.
• Mathematics and logical reasoning issues: dyscalculia and logical-mathematical difficulties.
• Voice issues: dysphonia or aphonia related to vocal strain or vocal fold conditions.
• Swallowing: atypical swallowing, tongue thrust, and myofunctional issues.

If you are out of Auckland or you prefer to be at home for Speech and Language Therapy sessions, Mot à Mots offers online telepractice. All you need is a good internet connection and a computer with a microphone and speakers.

Telepractice has been proven to be an efficient and effective way to receive speech therapy. The process is the same: an assessment followed by regular treatment sessions according to the client's needs.