FAQs

A doctor’s referral is not necessary for assessment of your child’s speech and language. However adult clients may need a GP referral, particularly if you intend to claim for therapy from your health provider.

We are a busy, small practice. We aim to offer you an appointment within three to four weeks, but we do sometimes have to run a waiting list. You will be advised what the current timescale is during our first contact.

An initial evaluation session to determine your needs will last between an hour and an hour and a half.

If full formal speech and language assessment is required, it may take more than one session to complete and take up to three hours. Individual quotes are provided for formal assessment.

Therapy sessions are generally one hour. For children, the amount of the session which involves direct therapy for the child may vary. Some time is required for discussion with the parent, teacher or assistant. If a shorter session is more appropriate for a young child, this will be charged at a pro rata rate.

This is a difficult question to answer as it will depend on many factors such as the nature of the problem and how the problem is affecting the individual and family concerned. As a first step we will discuss this with you and make recommendations. 

It is never easy to predict treatment length since many factors influence the success of therapy. Adults may need months of therapy following a stroke, whereas children with mild speech problems may only need a few sessions. Children with severe speech disorders typically attend once fortnightly for a year to eighteen months. We can make some predictions about the amount of therapy that may be required and we aim to devise a plan of treatment that is flexible and tailored to your precise requirements.

No, this does not matter. If you choose to access private speech and language therapy in addition to NHS therapy, you can. If you are in receipt of NHS speech and language therapy, we recommend that this practice contacts your NHS provider and that information is shared, where clinically appropriate. This is important to avoid duplication, to ensure that treatment goals are aligned and to ensure that the client receiving treatment is not overwhelmed or pressured by an excess of therapy intervention.

We have clinical bases in Portesham and in Poundbury. Young children tend to be seen at The Little House in Portesham. Older children and adults tend to be seen at Armitage House on Poundbury. Home, nursery and school visits are arranged as required or requested. Adults tend to be seen in either their own homes, or at Armitage House on Poundbury, depending on an individual’s needs and preferences.

The package that is designed for you will be specific to your needs. Anticipated charges will be supplied in writing following the initial telephone discussion.

We have rates for initial assessments, treatment and travel that are a composite of the clinical time required in each case. A basic initial evaluation appointment currently costs £190, and this includes an hour-long face to face appointment and the assimilation of any professional reports provided. Following this appointment, the best course of action will be discussed with the client, their parents or carer. Clinical rates are currently £95 per hour, and this charge applies also to report writing time, liaison with parents or other professionals and any travel time incurred beyond our clinical bases in Portesham or Poundbury.