What is Speech and Language Therapy at Linden Lodge School?
The Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) team collaborates with students to enhance their receptive language (understanding), expressive language (spoken language), and social communication skills within school and community settings.
The SALT team assesses these areas, setting long-term and short-term goals to help students reach their full potential. Comprehensive communication assessments are completed, and individualized intervention plans are developed accordingly. The SALTs work closely with teaching staff to ensure the generalisation and carryover of skills during therapy sessions and throughout the school day.
At Linden Lodge School, the SALT team uses a Total Communication Approach, incorporating various modes of communication such as verbal communication, signing, and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to support students. SALT promotes functional communication and strives to foster greater independence for our students every day
Dysphagia: Dysphagia, describing eating and drinking disorders occurring in the oral, pharyngeal, and oesophageal stages. The assessment and management of this is supported by SALT within the school setting. SALT work closely to train and support staff in identifying aspiration risks and modifying food and liquid consistencies per the IDDSI framework. Eating and drinking plans are developed, to ensure safety both at home and school. Advice and recommendations are made in conjunction with the OT team, to support with optimal position and cutlery for eating and drinking.
Linden Lodge SALT Specialist Provisions:
The SALT service at Linden Lodge offers a range of specialist services to our students which include:
Intensive Interaction: This person-centred social communication approach, developed in the 1980s by Dr Dave Hewett and Professor Melanie Nind, enhances communication for those with severe or complex learning difficulties or autism. Research shows it improves social initiation and engagement.
SmiLE therapy: SmiLE (Strategies & Measurable Interaction in Live English) is a 10-step approach teaching communication and social skills in real-life settings. It's designed for students with various disabilities and promotes independence and inclusion. Parents are also empowered by the team to help generalise these skills into the wider community.
AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods support or replace spoken/written communication. This includes gestures, signs (low-tech AAC), and devices like iPads (high-tech AAC), helping non-speaking young people express themselves and access education and the curriculum.
Objects of Reference (OoR): OoR are objects used to represent people, activities, events, or places, aiding individuals with visual impairment or learning difficulties. Standardised and personalised OoR help students anticipate routines and develop expressive language skills, requiring consistency across home and school.
Tactile signing: Tactile sign language, using British Sign Language (BSL) or Sign Supported English (SSE) through touch, helps students participate in their world. It's part of a total communication approach at Linden Lodge, with success dependent on parent training and home implementation. Training sessions can be arranged with your Speech Therapist as needed
SOS: Approach to Feeding Developed by Dr Kay Toomey, an expert in feeding difficulties, this approach equips therapists with the skills to provide feeding support through individual or group sessions. OTs and speech and language therapists work closely to assess and implement feeding strategies for eligible students. The program includes a comprehensive assessment, weekly direct feeding therapy, caregiver education, and follow-up reviews. It benefits children with diagnosed feeding disorders or oral aversions, as well as those with limited dietary variety, maladaptive food behaviours, or difficulty managing advanced food textures (excluding dysphagia-related issues).