Weather disruption
Winter weather is causing disruption to services in some parts of the county. Find out what services may be affected in your area.
Speech and Language Therapy
Some children and young people may need extra help to develop their speech, language and communication skills. Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT) work as part of a team. They will work with your child’s audiologist and Teacher of the Deaf to help your child and those around them to communicate as well as possible. This could be by using speech or sign language.
If you are concerned about your child’s speech, language and communication development, speak to your:
- Teacher of the Deaf
- GP
- health visitor
- nursery staff
to ask for a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
The Balanced System is the new online speech, language and communication need (SLCN) resource for Dorset, it is suitable for all ages, to create a pathway of support. It is organised in five themes for parents and carers:
- information
- your home
- services
- your child’s progress
- activities
with information across three levels:
- universal
- targeted
- specialist
There are six age ranges:
- baby
- toddler
- young child
- primary age child
- teenager
- young adult
Sign Language
Sign languages are visual languages that use:
- hand shapes
- facial expression
- gestures
- body language
Sign languages have their own vocabulary, construction and grammar.
In the UK, the term sign language usually refers to British Sign Language (BSL). It can sometimes be Irish Sign Language (ISL).
Read more about the different types of communication Deaf people use.