Complex needs
Welcome
We are a team of speech and language therapists working with people of all ages who have complex needs. These could be due to learning disabilities, autism, complex physical and sensory disabilities, or any combination of these.
We are highly skilled in working with people who have difficulty communicating, and with those who have difficulty eating and drinking. We offer assessment, advice and support, training, and therapy to meet the needs of the individual.
Speech and language therapists usually work alongside other professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This team can include nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, dietitians and doctors, as well as other staff members.
Early years children with complex needs
Please click here to find out more about the child development centre.
Children with learning disabilities and complex needs
The speech and language therapy team for people with complex needs works with children who have learning disabilities and who attend special schools or resourced provisions. We offer assessment, therapy, advice and support to teaching staff, input to individual education programmes and training. In addition, assessment, therapy, advice and support can be offered at home.
Children with learning disabilities and complex needs can be referred for speech and language therapy input for
- communication difficulties
- eating and drinking difficulties
We work in the following environments:
Flatts nursery
A mainstream nursery for children aged 3 to 5 years, which has 12 places for children with complex needs.
Thornhill resourced provision
A resourced provision for up to 20 children with moderate learning disabilities within a mainstream primary school.
Carlinghow resourced provision
A resourced provision for up to 20 children with physical disabilities and / or learning disabilities within a mainstream primary school
Fairfields Special School
A school for children aged 3 to 19 years who have profound and complex needs. This covers a range of needs including severe learning disabilities, physical disabilities, multi-sensory impairments and complex health needs.
Ravenshall Special School
A school for children from Foundation Stage to Year 11 who have complex needs. These children have a range of needs including learning disabilities, physical disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, emotional and behavioural difficulties or specific language disorders.
Children and adults with eating and drinking difficulties
Some people might experience difficulties with eating and / or drinking. This can be due to problems with biting, chewing, or swallowing.
The speech and language therapist will be able to help by watching the person eat / drink, talking to family members and assessing the person’s ability to eat and drink safely.
After assessment the speech and language therapist can give advice on:
- The most appropriate position for eating and drinking
- The texture of food / drink offered
- The most appropriate utensils e.g. spoons, cups etc.
- The speed at which food is offered
Sometimes additional information might be needed. The person will be asked to take part in further investigations or assessments. In addition, it might be necessary to refer to another professional (e.g. a dietitian or physiotherapist). Click below for the relevent leaflet.
Eating and drinking problems your child may experience
How the speech and language therapist can help your child with their eating and drinking
How do I make a referral
Children with complex needs who attend special schools or resourced provisions and adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. Referrals for an assessment of communication or eating and drinking should be made to the Community Learning Disability Team.
Click here for a copy of the referral form
The referral can be made by anyone: the individual, a carer, a family member, a health professional, teacher etc. It is important to complete the form as fully as possible. This helps the team to decide who is the most appropriate professional to be involved.
Completed forms should be sent to:
Learning Disability Resource Centre
Cullingworth Street
Staincliffe
Dewsbury
WF13 4AN.
If you need any help completing the form, contact the reception desk (Monday - Friday) on 01924 816274.
Training we offer
The speech and language therapy team for people with learning disabilities and complex needs offer a variety of training packages. These may be formal courses, informal workshops, or personalised training sessions. Training can be offered in the following areas:
- Makaton
- Communication
- The use of alternative communication systems e.g. symbols, objects, photos
- Eating and drinking difficulties
Makaton
Makaton is a language programme that uses signs and picture symbols alongside speech, facial expression and body language. Makaton can be used to help people understand speech and to express themselves. It is used by children and adults who have difficulty communicating, and by their families, friends and carers.
We offer certificated Makaton workshops and informal drop-in sessions:
Makaton Foundation Workshops 2009
Or visit
Communication
We offer personalised training packages to people working in a range of environments. This could include staff in schools, colleges, day care services, residential homes, and respite homes.
The aim of the training is to improve the communication between staff members and the people they work with.
The use of alternative and augmentative systems
Some people are unable to use speech as their main way of communicating. Sometimes using photographs, objects, symbols or an electronic communication aids can be helpful.
Training can be given to carers / support staff to ensure the most appropriate system is introduced and supported.
Eating and drinking difficulties
Some people experience difficulties with eating and drinking. These difficulties can be reduced if food and drink is presented in an appropriate manner.
Training can be offered to carers / support staff to make sure they understand the difficulties faced, and know how to support the person appropriately.
