If you are concerned about your child's communication skills, several signs may indicate that your child may benefit from speech therapy. Here are some of the signs to look out for:

1. Delayed language development: If your child is not meeting language milestones, such as not speaking any words by the age of 2 or not using two-word phrases by the age of 3, it may indicate that they need speech therapy.

2. Difficulty with articulation: If your child has difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or if they are difficult to understand, it may indicate a need for speech therapy.

3. Stuttering or stammering: If your child has difficulty speaking fluently, such as repeating words or sounds or hesitating a lot when speaking, it may indicate a need for speech therapy.

4. Trouble with social communication: If your child has difficulty with social communication, such as not being able to understand and respond to social cues, or not being able to hold a conversation, it may indicate a need for speech therapy.

5. Voice problems: If your child has a hoarse or raspy voice, or if their voice sounds too high or too low, it may indicate a need for speech therapy.

If you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to consult a speech-language therapist who can evaluate your child's communication skills and recommend any necessary therapy or intervention. Early intervention is often the key to the success of speech therapy, so it's important to seek help as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your child's communication skills.

Yes, online speech therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, with some potential benefits as well.

Research has shown that online speech therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for a range of communication disorders, including speech sound disorders, language disorders, and stuttering. In fact, some studies have shown that online therapy may be more effective for some individuals, particularly those who are more comfortable communicating through technology, such as children who are accustomed to using tablets or smartphones.

One of the main benefits of online speech therapy is convenience. Online therapy eliminates the need for travel to a clinic or office, making it a more accessible option for families who live in remote areas or who have busy schedules. Additionally, online therapy allows for more flexible scheduling, making it easier for families to fit therapy sessions into their busy lives.

However, it's important to note that the success of online speech therapy depends on several factors, including the quality of the technology and internet connection, the experience and expertise of the therapist, and the ability of the child or adult to engage with the therapy session through a screen. Therefore, it's important to work with a reputable online speech therapy provider like Mable Therapy and ensure that the technology and environment are set up for optimal communication and engagement.

Yes, children at this age learn best from the people they love, which means you! You'll learn straightforward and efficient techniques to implement at home during your child's sessions.

Parent-child interaction is recommended for children under 3 with speech and language needs because it is a critical period in language development. During this time, children learn the basics of communication and language through their experiences and interactions with those around them, particularly their parents. By engaging in conversation, playing, and reading with their child, parents can provide rich language experiences that support the child's speech and language development. This can help build their vocabulary, encourage the use of more complex language, and develop critical listening and speaking skills, all of which can improve their overall communication abilities. Additionally, this type of interaction can foster a strong emotional bond between the parent and child, which can positively impact the child's overall well-being and mental health.

Yes, we have experienced therapists working with young adults and teenagers within our network. Specialist skills are necessary to engage and support this age group, so we only hire experienced therapists who have an excellent understanding of teenagers and the secondary school curriculum.

After the initial consultation, your speech and language therapist may recommend a baseline assessment. This is £180.

Our therapists are bound by the professional guidelines set out by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) both of which require therapists to have adequate assessment data before beginning a course of therapy.

If your child has had an assessment with a qualified speech and language therapist within the past 6 months we may be able to continue without a Mable assessment. This is always at the discretion of the therapist as they will need an adequate baseline to measure your child's progress.

It is always useful for the therapist to have access to any previous reports for review and these can be uploaded to your Mable profile.

The assessment session takes place after the initial consultation and the consultation session does not replace an assessment session.  

Yes, the Mable speech and language assessment investigates all areas of speech and language development. Specialist subsets can be administered for children and young people with specific needs and the results of these can be reported for use in EHCP assessment.

Absolutely, we work alongside our NHS colleagues wherever possible.

The number of speech therapy sessions a child needs varies depending on their specific needs and goals. Factors such as the severity and type of speech and language disorder, the child's age and stage of development, and their progress in therapy, can all impact the frequency and duration of speech therapy.

It is common for children to receive speech therapy once or twice a week, with each session lasting 20 minutes to an hour. However, the number of sessions can be adjusted based on the child's progress and the therapist's recommendations.

It is important to work closely with the child's speech therapist to determine the right frequency and duration of therapy for your child and to regularly review and adjust the plan as needed.

Once you have chosen your child’s therapist, your earliest point of contact will be in the consultation session. You can ask the therapist any questions you may have and discuss all concerns relating to your child’s speech and language. Once you have received the report from this session, you can contact the therapist directly through the Mable platform at any time. You’ll be kept up to date with information about your child’s therapy and progress, and therapists will provide you with activities for you and your child to complete together between sessions to give you continuous support.

All our therapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). We only hire therapists of NHS Band 6 and above, so they have a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification experience before starting to work with Mable.

We think your child will love their therapist, but we understand that in some cases you may wish to change. That’s not a problem, you can change your therapist by logging on to your Mable Therapy account. 

Mable sessions take place using our unique video platform. It’s a bit like a Zoom session, but much better! Our software has in-built games, activities and resources to make the counselling an immersive, creative, child-centred experience.

Any laptop or a desktop computer with a webcam will work fine. If you have a tablet such as an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy then Mable should work on those too. As a rule of thumb if you can video chat on the device then you can use it for Mable. Unfortunately, mobile phones are not usable as the therapists use tools which won’t fit on such small displays.

Once you are logged into the Mable system, you will be asked to take our tech test – this will go through each step with you to ensure that everything is ready for your session. You can find ot on the lefthand menu once you're logged on.