Pre-school

The Child Development Unit (Redgrave and Kempston) assesses and manages children (0-5 years) who live in Bedfordshire and Luton who have significant problems with development.

 

Who is this service for?

Services at Redgrave gardens and the Child Development Centre are available for children aged 0-5 years provided they are not in school. We assess and provide treatment programmes for children who have significant developmental problems (whether diagnosed or undiagnosed). This includes, but is not exclusive to:

  • Physical problems
  • Learning difficulties / disabilities
  • Social communication difficulties including autism
  • Swallow and feeding difficulties

 

What we offer

We offer assessment, therapy and training. This may be on a 1:1 basis or in a group setting.

Sessions focus on developing a child’s overall communication skills and an individualised plan will be devised to address your child’s needs.

  • Preverbal skills such as eye contact, joint attention and using gestures.
  • Attention and listening skills
  • Play skills
  • Receptive language – understanding what is said to them.
  • Expressive language – using words and sentences, in a variety of different ways and for different purposes.
  • Social communication such as turn-taking, staying on topic and using non-verbal communication appropriately.
  • Alternative methods of communicating e.g. signing, object exchange, picture exchange and symbols
  • Feeding

 

We are a group of Speech and Language Therapists who have specialised in eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in babies, children and young. We do this in addition to our work with children’s speech, language and communication. The service works through supporting families and carers of babies, children and young people who are having difficulties with eating, drinking and/or swallowing.

We can offer the following service:

  • Assessment of child’s eating, drinking and swallowing within a mealtime environment
  • Advice on how to develop these skills e.g. by modifying food or drink textures or feeding strategies
  • Training to groups of professionals/carers around the development of and functional eating, drinking and swallowing
  • We often work in conjunction with a Dietician (if there are concerns about growth), an
  • Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist (for support with feeding support systems such as
    seating).

 

How do I access this service?

We accept referrals from GPs, social care and other professionals and organisations working with young children and families (eg Portage, Early Years Service) for children registered with a GP in Bedfordshire and Luton.

 

How do I refer to Redgrave / Child Development Centre?

We accept referrals by letter from GPs and other professionals and organisations working with young children and their families. Please address to Consultant Community Paediatrician.

Please provide:

  • Demographic information, including name, address, sex, date of birth, NHS number, GP
  • Reason for referral
  • Relevant diagnostic information
  • Previous medical history
  • Any other services involved
  • Referrer’s details

 

 

School-age

The paediatric speech and language therapy team assesses and manages children (0-17 years) who live in Bedfordshire and Luton who have significant speech, language and communication difficulties.

 

What we offer

Once children are at school, their speech and language needs are linked closely to their education and all children in Bedfordshire and Luton who attend school and have speech and/or language needs are seen in the school setting.

The therapist will work with parents/carers and school staff to put strategies and support in place to maximise communication and enable the child to learn to their full potential.

All schools have a link therapist, who will manage the children in that school that have speech/language needs.

In addition there are a team of therapists who oversee the speech, language and communication needs of children who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) in mainstream and special schools. These children may have other developmental difficulties or a medical diagnosis and may require support from other professionals who the therapist will work with to meet the needs of the child.

We provide support on the following areas:

  • Attention and listening skills
  • Play skills
  • Receptive language – understanding what is said.
  • Expressive language – using words and sentences, in a variety of different ways and for different purposes.
  • Social communication such as turn-taking, staying on topic and using non-verbal communication appropriately.
  • Alternative methods of communicating e.g. signing, object exchange, picture exchange and communication books.

 

How do I access this service?

Discuss your concerns with your child’s school and then the Special Educational Needs Coordinator or Inclusion Manager can discuss your child with the link therapist and complete the school’s referral form.

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