What does a speech and language therapist (SLT) do? The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) describe speech and language therapy as helping manage disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing in children and adults.Speech and language therapists assess and treat a person with specific speech, language and communication problems to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They work directly with people of all ages. As allied health professionals they also work closely with parents, carers and other professionals, including teachers, nurses and occupational therapists.
There are around 13,000 practising SLTs in the UK and around 2.5 million people in the UK have a speech or language difficulty:

• 5% of children enter school with difficulties in speech and language
• 30% of people who have had a stroke have a persisting speech and language disorder

At Prestatyn High School, if a student has identified speech, language or communication difficulties identified, they may receive support directly from the NHS and qualified Speech and Language Specialist will visit the school. In addition, the service may require Teaching Assistants to support their work on a more regular basis with individual students.