The Speech and Language Therapy Team
Laura Mackrill
Speech and Language Therapist
Lizi Hawkins
Speech and Language Therapist
Who are we?
We are a Speech and Language Therapist and a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant who are working as part of the Sure Start Whitley team.
What do we do?

The Sure Start Speech and Language Therapists assess and treat children under 5 years with difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
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 Understanding words, sentences and instructions
Using words and sentences
Pronouncing words
Stammering
Voice (e.g. husky/ hoarse voice)
Social language skills (e.g. taking turns when speaking, eye contact)		  

We also chat to parents about normal communication development and how to help develop their child’s understanding and talking.
Problems learning to talk and understand are surprisingly common. We know that many of these problems can be overcome if help or advice is given at an early age.
When to contact us?
At 18 months….
  
• Not saying single words e.g. ‘mum’, ‘more’  
At 2 years…..  
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 Using less than 50 words
Not able to point to common objects or name some body parts on request		  
At 2 ½ years….  
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 Not putting 2 words together e.g. ‘more juice’
Not able to understand simple instructions and questions without any clues such as pointing e.g. ‘put the doll on the chair’		  
At 3 years….  
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 Not using 3 word sentences e.g. ‘go in car’
Not understanding describing words e.g. big/little and position words e.g.
in/on/under
Not using a good range of sounds and is difficult to understand		  
You can also refer if you are concerned about your child’s voice (e.g. he/she loses their voice when they don’t have a cold) or if they have started to stammer.
If you are unsure or would just like some advice, you can call us on 0118 9207532.
How to contact us
You can contact us at Whitley Health Centre on 0118 9207532, or pop in for a referral form. All staff are available for discussion regarding any particular child/problem.
Who can contact us?
If you live in the Whitley area, your child is under 5 years old and you are concerned about his/her speech and language development.
If you are concerned but do not live in the Whitley area please call the speech and language therapy department on 0118 9180562.
Speech and Language Therapy, Whitley Health Centre,
268 Northumberland Avenue, Reading RG2 7PJ
Tel: 0118 9207532
Useful Websites

www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk

www.ican.org.uk

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Sure Start Whitley Children's Centre, South Reading Youth & Community Centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Reading, RG2 7Q
Telephone: 0118 9375777 • Email: surestart.admin@reading.gov.uk

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