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Parents & carers

Getting speech and language therapy

How and when to seek speech and language therapy, including referral routes, what SLTs support, and important safety notes around eating, drinking and swallowing.

8 min read

Last updated June 2026

Getting Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) support far more than talking.

What SLTs support

  • Speech sound clarity
  • Language understanding (receptive)
  • Using language (expressive)
  • Social communication
  • Stammering
  • Voice difficulties
  • AAC and non-speaking communication
  • Selective mutism
  • Eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia)

When to seek extra help

Consider seeking advice if:

  • A baby is not babbling
  • A child is not responding to sounds or familiar voices
  • A child loses words or skills
  • Speech is very unclear
  • A child is frustrated because they cannot communicate
  • A child struggles to understand everyday instructions
  • A child uses very few words for their age
  • Communication difficulties affect school or friendships
  • A child avoids speaking because of anxiety
  • There are feeding, eating, drinking or swallowing concerns
  • A child frequently coughs or chokes when eating or drinking
  • A child's voice is persistently hoarse
  • A stammer is causing distress
  • Parents or carers feel worried

Who to speak to

  • Health visitor — for under-fives
  • GP — for a referral or hearing check
  • Nursery or school SENCO
  • NHS children's speech and language therapy service — many areas accept self-referral
  • Paediatrician
  • Audiology — hearing is always worth checking

Eating, drinking and swallowing

SLTs also support feeding and swallowing difficulties. Watch for:

  • Coughing during meals
  • Choking or gagging
  • Wet or gurgly voice after drinking
  • Recurrent chest infections
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Refusing textures
  • Very slow eating
  • Distress around eating

Safety note

If a child or adult has coughing, choking, recurrent chest infections, significant weight loss, dehydration concerns, or appears unsafe when eating or drinking, seek medical advice urgently. Do not change fluid thickness or feeding strategies unless advised by a qualified professional.

What to bring to a first appointment

  • Notes about what the child can and cannot do
  • Examples of words or phrases they use
  • Video clips if possible
  • Concerns about understanding, behaviour or feeding
  • School observations
  • Hearing test results if available

More from Speech & Language

Speech, language and communication

Speech, language and communication (SLCN) are linked but different. A clear guide to what each means, why behaviour is communication, and how to support every kind of voice.

Late talkers and early speech delay

Early signs of speech and language differences from babies to teenagers, including word-finding, language understanding, and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

AAC and non-speaking communication

AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) supports or replaces spoken speech. A guide to what AAC is, who it helps, and how to use it well — without taking it away as punishment.

Selective mutism

Selective (situational) mutism is anxiety-based, not stubbornness. How to support a child who can speak in some places but not others, plus what NOT to do.