Speech & Language Therapy
Children
Speech and language skills are complex, and take time to develop. They can be challenging for some children to master without support and guidance.
It may be tempting to adopt a “wait and see” approach, but research shows that early intervention often leads to more positive outcomes.
Adults
Some difficulties start in childhood, whilst others happen after an illness or injury. While speech may be affected by typical ageing, specific medical conditions often also have a large impact on both speech and language processing.
Dysphagia
The medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing food and/or drinks. It may occur if there is decreased sensation, strength or control of the muscles of the mouth or throat.
Dysphagia can occur for both children and adults.
additional services
Home Programms
Structured exercises to practice speech and language skills outside of therapy. These programms will be tailored to individual needs and designed to reinforce therapeutic goals. They often include games, worksheets, and interactive tasks that can be easily integrated into daily routines to support ongoing progress.
family/caregiver training
This can include techniques for enhancing communication, creating supportive communication environments, and effectively using therapeutic activities and tools in everyday interactions. The goal is to foster consistency and reinforce progress made during therapy.
group therapy
diagnostics/reports
Group sessions are designed to improve communication skills through interactive activities and collaborative exercises. Groups offer social interaction, peer support, and opportunities to practice communication in a real-world context. This fosters a sense of community and encourages participants to learn from and support each other while achieving their individual goals.
Reports are available to provide evaluations and progress summaries. A diagnostic report includes detailed assessments of communication skills, identifying specific needs and recommending tailored intervention strategies. Update reports track progress over time, highlighting improvements, ongoing challenges, and adjustments to therapy plans. These reports ensure clear communication with caregivers, educators, and other professionals.
Onward referrals
We offer onward referrals to ensure comprehensive care, connecting you with additional professionals as needed to support your continued progress and care.
Speech Therapy for Children
Connect Therapy Centre can provide assessment & intervention for a range of paediatric speech & language issues
Speech
By 3 years, most of what a child says should be understood.
They may substitute one sound for another, leave out sounds or distort sounds.
Speech sound disorders, including articulation and phonological disorders, impact ability to form the sounds for speech.
Children with articulation disorders struggle to accurately and consistently produce sounds when speaking. Children with phonological disorders misunderstand the rules that govern spoken language. They make speech errors as a result of this confusion.
Language
Language disorders can impact expressive and receptive communication and can seriously affect a child’s ability to interact with others and the world around them.
Expressive language involves what we say. Receptive language is what we understand.
They may have difficulties with:
Understanding
Using language
Reading
Writing
Language may also be effected by additional diagnoses or syndrome
Examples of client groups/problems treated:
- Articulation difficulties (eg. lisps).
- Autism
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
- Speech delay
- Developmental verbal dyspraxia
- Language delays
- Learning difficulties
- Dyslexia
- Stuttering/stammering
- ADD/ADHD.
- Selective Mutism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
Speech Therapy for Adults
Connect Therapy Centre can provide assessment & intervention for a range of adult speech & language issues
There are many reasons why an adult may need to attend Speech & Language Therapy. Some problems start in childhood. Others happen after an illness or injury.
Speech
- Apraxia
- Dysarthria
- Stuttering
- Voice
Language
- Aphasia
Medical conditions
- Progressive Neurological Conditions - Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neuron Disease etc
- Head/Neck Cancers
- Traumatic Brain Injury including stroke
elective services
- Accent Modification
- Voice and Communication Change for Transgender People
Dysphagia
The medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing food and/or drinks. It may occur if there is decreased sensation, strength or control of the muscles of the mouth or throat.
Dysphagia can occur for both children and adults.
It can result from various medical conditions, including neurological disorders, stroke, head and neck cancer, or injury.
Connect Therapy Centre offers
Full assessment and management of swallowing and feeding disorders (dysphagia).
Training and information sessions for family, nursing and care staff and safe swallow recommendations.
Typical signs of difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) include;
- Sneezing or eye watering
- Wet or gurgly voice
- Recurrent Chest Infections
- Difficulty controlling food or liquid in the mouth
- Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- Sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest
- Pain while swallowing
- Frequent heartburn or regurgitation
- Unintentional weight loss due to eating difficulties
Online
How Online Sessions Work
Online therapy has a well established evidence base and is recognised as a valid service delivery model by the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
We use engaging materials and activities to help clients participate in online sessions, and are constantly updating our practice as new materials and resources are released.
What You Need for Online Sessions?
- High speed internet access.
- A tablet/laptop or desktop with a camera.
- Ideally a headset with a microphone, but not a necessity.
- Quiet space, with minimal distractions nearby.
How Can Online Sessions Help?
Online services offer the same benefits as traditional face-to-face, with the added convenience of being able to access the services direct from your home.
If you are unsure whether online is right for you, our therapist can provide a free 15 minute mini-session to try it out. Just get in touch with us at contact@connecttherapycentre.ie for more information.
FAQs
How do I make a referral to Connect Therapy Centre?
We accept self referrals, referrals from care givers or professionals. You can call on 085 8413225 or email contact@connecttherapycentre.ie or fill in the contact form at the bottom of the website. After discussing concerns we can schedule an appointment.
How long will I be waiting for an appointment?
Most referrals/booking requests will be seen within one week.
Are sessions covered by health insurance?
If you have private health insurance, you will be able to claim some of the assessment and therapy costs. The number of sessions or amount covered by healthcare insurance varies. Hence it is advisable to contact your provider to get details of your entitlements. In addition to this, if you are paying income taxes, you are also entitled to claim for speech and language assessments and intervention via your income tax return.
Are your assessments recognised by the HSE and the Department of Education?
Yes they are. Our practitioners are fully qualified, experienced and registered with appropriate governing bodies. We provide high quality assessments using valid and appropriate assessment tools.
Why attend for private assessment and therapy?
Waiting times for public services may mean that your child/loved one has to wait for assessment and diagnosis which can delay availing of therapy and important services. Connect Therapy Centre can facilitate speech and language development while you are waiting to be called by your local HSE professional. We can also provide therapy to supplement services form your HSE therapist and can add follow on sessions to your HSE block of intervention. There are no restrictions as to the number or frequency of sessions available in private practice and treatment plans will be negotiated by you and your therapist following best practice guidelines, clinical decision making and evidence based practice.
Pricing
Speech Therapy
Initial Consult €110
Assessment & Report €250-550
Therapy Session 30 mins €70
Therapy Session 45 mins €85
Therapy Session 60 mins €100
Advice Session 30mins €70
Letter of Support €50
Home Program €110
Progress/summary report €110
Diagnostic therapy report €160
Breathwork
Private 1:1 90 mins €
Small Group €
Large Group €
Corporate Prices on Request
Cancellation more than 24 hours prior to appointment: No fee due
Cancellation less than 24 hours prior to appointment: 50% fee due
Cancellation on the day of appointment / No cancellation given: 100% fee due
Sarah graduated from University College Cork with a BSc Honours degree in Speech & Language Therapy. Sarah is registered with CORU, Ireland’s regulatory body for health & social care professionals (SL044110) and is also a member of the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) and Independent Speech Therapists of Ireland (ISTI). Sarah has experience working as a Speech & Language Therapist in a variety of services across the HSE in Ireland. After first handedly experiencing the powerful effects of transformational breathwork, Sarah trained with world renowned Breathwork Facilitation Trainer Jamie Janko and received her Breathwork facilitation certification also.
Contact
Location
Co. Limerick, Ireland
Online service throughout the country
Phone
Sarah - 0858413225
Email
contact@connecttherapycentre.ie
