Speech & Language Therapy

The David Lewis Centre has a team of Speech & Language Therapists and assistants who work throughout the Centre; in the Residential Special School, the Residential College and within the Adult Services. Within the school and college individual communication programmes are delivered by teaching and care staff as well as by the Speech & Language specialists.

Many of our children, students and adults have considerable communication problems. Improving understanding and communication allows people to participate more in everyday life, make choices and build relationships. The David Lewis Centre has a ‘Total Communication’ policy and the Speech & Language Therapy team has an active role in promoting and developing this. Additional (visual) communication systems are used to support spoken language with our students and residents. Photographs and standardised symbols are used for labels, signs, diaries, timetables and general activities. Makaton signing is used across the Centre.

The Speech & Language Therapists also carry out assessments and give advice regarding feeding and swallowing difficulties.