SALT (Speech & Language Therapy)
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Sep
Sep
SALT (Speech & Language Therapy)
What is SALT short for? SALT stands for Speech and Language Therapist – one of a team of professionals that you may be introduced to. Even though you may think your baby is too small to be speaking, they can often look at how your baby is swallowing, and recommend exercises you can do to help them if they are struggling.
More information can be found here: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/.
Definition of SALT
A speech and language therapist is a registered healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose and treat difficulties with communication and/or eating and drinking. They work with people who need help with:
- speech (saying sounds and words clearly)
- fluency (stammering)
- language (understanding and using words/sentences)
- voice disorders
- using alternative communication methods
- swallowing disorders and other difficulties with feeding, eating and drinking
Speech and Language Therapists work with babies, children and adults in community and hospital settings, including schools and clinics.
In the neonatal units, SALTs work with babies who have, or are at risk of, feeding and communication difficulties. They help families and the wider neonatal team to support safe and positive oral feeding experiences and to optimise language and overall development.
You can read further information here about SALT within neonatal units:
What should families know is involved with SALT?
If you feel that your child would benefit from being seen by a SALT, you can request a referral through your child’s doctor, health visitor or teacher, although processes and pathways vary.
At the initial assessment, the SALT will generally discuss the reasons for the referral with you and ask you about your child’s history and difficulties. If the referral is for feeding, the SALT may observe a ‘usual’ feed and make suggestions to help, such as changing the feeding positioning or feeding equipment. They may use a stethoscope to listen to your child’s swallowing, and sometimes they may recommend a swallowing x-ray called a video fluoroscopy.
If the assessment is for communication, the assessment may be ‘informal’ and involve the SALT making observations and asking questions, or a ‘formal’ standardised assessment may be used. After the assessment, the SALT will generally discuss their findings with you and make initial suggestions. They will then arrange follow up appointments for further assessment, therapy and progress reviews.
What should families be asking their SALT professional/team to get the best out of their appointments?
To get the best out of your SALT appointments, it can help to make notes beforehand about questions you have and things you would like to discuss. You are the expert about your child, so share what you have observed about your child with the SALT. Not all SALTs will have had a lot of experience with H.I.E. or associated conditions, but on the whole they will want to learn as much as they can so they can be of most help to your child and family. It’s okay to ask them what they know about your child’s diagnoses and offer to provide information. It’s always helpful to have an open and trusting relationship between SALTs and families, so please let your SALT know if you have any concerns, questions, or are unsure about anything to do with your child’s assessment or therapy advice.
With thanks to our friend and SALT, Sarah Edney, for providing the above information.