ESF Speech & Language Therapy Service
What are Speech & Language Therapists?
Speech and Language Therapists use evidence based practice to anticipate and respond to the needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties. Speech and Language Therapist support levels of literacy, educational attainment and social skills.
Working in partnership, Speech & Language Therapists have a distinct role in assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating support for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Their skills may overlap, or complement other professionals within the education team.
With such a wide ranging remit and demand of crucial services, it is important that the scope of practice and the standard of provision are clearly defined by the Speech and Language Therapist.
About the ESF Speech & Language Therapy Service
The ESF Speech and Language Therapy Service provides assessment and intervention for children as an integral part of their school life. The Speech and Language Therapist will support school staff and families through consultation and capacity building in any area of communication.
Areas we support
Using and Understanding Language
| Speech and Oral Motor
|
Care Flow Pathway
The Speech and Language Therapy Care Flow Pathway is designed to reflect the Therapist’s clinical decision-making process. It begins with an expression of concern about a child’s Speech, Language and/or communication needs. The initial concern may be arise in the educational, or, home setting, or both.
Following a decision that the child requires assessment, the therapist may complete the initial assessment package, which comprises of four levels:
1. General language ability, determining the presence or absence of a language disorder.
2. The nature of the language disorder.
3. Behaviors associated with the language disorder.
4. The effect of the language disorder on classroom functioning.
Recommended intervention can typically range from referral to other professionals, indirect support strategies to be implemented under the review of the therapist, direct 1:1 therapy, or group therapy. The delivery of therapeutic support, or, intervention will be reviewed following a block of seven sessions, or, for monitoring cases, a three to six month period. Therapy outcomes will be measured across the domains of impairment, activity limitation, participation restriction and overall well-being.
Our Speech & Language Therapist
Vanessa Sweeny
Vanessa studied Speech Sciences at University College London, and graduated in 2003 as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, certified by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Vanessa began work as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist in a London based private SEN school called Blossom House. Here, Vanessa also took on the role of form teacher and PE teacher. During her time at Blossom House, Vanessa developed a specific interest in behaviour management and autism.
Vanessa arrived in Hong Kong in 2006. Prior to her role at ESF Therapy Centre, she worked at The Nesbitt Centre; she held the combined role of Programme Director and Speech and Language Therapist. During her time at The Nesbitt Centre, Vanessa developed an interest in the holistic learning journey of people with Intellectual Disabilities and to this end, added Houseparent for the residential programme to her existing roles in 2008. To further develop her understanding of Intellectual Disabilities, Vanessa completed a Master of Science degree in ‘Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities’’ at the University of Portsmouth, completing the degree in September 2009 with a qualitative research project entitled “Parenting a young adult with Autism: a Hong Kong experience”.
Vanessa’s most recent professional interest was to train as an internationally certified Infant and Baby Massage Instructor (CIMI) in May 2011; thus enabling her to facilitate the bonding and communication process between parents and their babies, with a particular specialism in newborns with special needs.
Vanessa specialises in
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Behaviour management through communication strategies
Speech & Language Therapy helpline:
Tel: +852 3572 8514
Every Thursday from 2:00 – 4:00pm
Programme and charges
The following represents a series of guide prices for Speech & Language Therapy assessment and programmes. Actual price will be based on consultation between therapist and parents and based on specific services requested.
Observation and Consultation | HK$2,000 |
This service is recommended for the first stages of enquiry; an observation and consultation can be booked without a standardised assessment to provide a professional overview of a child’s speech, language and communication abilities and participation profile within school. A full assessment may, or may not be recommended as a result. | |
Speech and Language Therapy Assessment | HK$3,750 |
Communication ability in a range of contexts will be assessed, not just within the formal testing environment. Each child referred will have a unique profile of needs; therefore, it may not be necessary in every case to assess phonology, articulation and language. | |
A seven-session cycle of 1:1 Specialist Intervention Package | HK$5,250 |
The four main areas of 1:1 intervention will cover social communication, language, phonology and articulation. The structure of the intervention cycle aims to develop a clear progression; from the setting of aims and objective in collaboration with the child (to include behavioural support and reward strategies) leading into development of targeted skills sessions and concluding with a consolidation and review session; the impact and effectiveness of therapy will be reviewed and the child may move on to another cycle of 1:1 intervention, group intervention, referral to another therapy professional, or discharge with monitoring guidelines. | |
A seven-session cycle of Group Language Stimulation and/or Social Skills Package | HK$2,800 |
This group package will cater for a minimum of four children and a maximum of six and will address social communication and language needs. The benefit of group therapy is the immediate and on-going feedback and modelling from peers presenting with similar needs; offering a safe and secure first step towards generalising therapy aims to the school, home and community environment. The impact and effectiveness of therapy will be reviewed and the child may move on to another cycle of group intervention, 1:1 intervention, referral to another therapy professional, or discharge with monitoring guidelines. | |
Speech Language and Communication Training Packages | HK$1,500 |
There are a wide range of training packages available from effective use of resources and toys to stimulate language, to training in typical and atypical language development. There is the option of bespoke packages for individuals and groups. The provision of training packages creates a philosophy of information and skillset sharing between Education and Therapy. | |
Fortnightly Drop-in sessions for parents | HK$200/session |
An open and informal session providing the opportunity to meet with the Speech and Language Therapist and receive advice, and, or support for their child’s SLCN. This drop-in session is a good first step before booking a 1:1 parent consultation. | |
On-Demand Parent Consultation | HK$750/hour |
This service is recommended for any parent/s who are motivated to develop their capacity to engage in and generalise the therapy their child is receiving in order to facilitate development. This service can also benefit parents of children who are on a waiting list for therapy, or following discharge with monitoring support. | |
Please click here to submit an initial enquiry to us.
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