Speech and language therapy supports people with speech, language and communication difficulties, as well as voice and swallowing problems. Therapy is assessment-led and practical, helping you build skills and confidence in everyday situations.
Plans are tailored to the person’s needs and may include exercises, strategies, and structured practice between sessions.
Speech and language therapy (often delivered by a speech and language therapist, SLT) helps with speech clarity, language understanding and expression, social communication, voice use and swallowing difficulties. Support can be helpful for children and adults, and is usually based on assessment and clear goals.
Your therapist will discuss your concerns and take a detailed history. Assessment may include listening to speech patterns, testing language skills, assessing voice quality, or reviewing swallowing safety where appropriate. The outcome is typically a tailored plan with measurable goals.
Therapy is usually skills-based. You may practise exercises, communication strategies, pacing techniques or confidence-building approaches. Between-session practice is often important, and your therapist should provide guidance that fits your daily life.
Seek medical advice for sudden voice changes lasting more than a few weeks, coughing/choking with swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or neurological symptoms. Swallowing issues can carry medical risk and should be assessed by appropriately trained clinicians.
Speech and language therapy developed as a healthcare profession in response to the need for structured support for communication, voice and swallowing difficulties. Over time, research and clinical practice expanded assessment methods and evidence-based interventions across child development, neurology, ENT and rehabilitation settings.
In the UK, speech and language therapy is delivered in NHS and private settings, supporting people across the lifespan with tailored, goal-led programmes.
Showing 5 conditions where Speech Therapy is commonly used.
| Condition | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Language and communication difficulties (speech/language) |
strong
|
Core area; tailored strategies and functional goals. |
|
Speech sound difficulties |
strong
|
Core area; assessment-led practice and feedback. |
|
Stammering (stuttering) |
strong
|
Core SLT area; focus on fluency, confidence and communication goals. |
|
Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) support |
strong
|
Important safety area; specialist assessment and management. |
|
Voice problems |
strong
|
Voice therapy and vocal hygiene; refer for ENT assessment when needed. |
Do you provide exercises for home?
Yes. Home practice supports progress between sessions.
Can SLT be delivered online?
Many activities adapt well to video with caregiver or partner support where needed.
Do I need a referral?
Private access is often self-referral; complex cases may involve your medical team.