Children’s Chatter NI SLT

13/04/2022

04/04/2022

The Language Tree 💬🌳

The same way that a tree grows, language develops in stages. A tree doesn’t go from the roots straight to the fruit, it has to develop a trunk, branches, leaves first. Similarly a child can’t jump from saying a couple of words to using excellent grammar in full sentences. It’s a process.

Importantly, just like how a tree needs sunlight and water to grow, a child needs lots of praise, stimulation and language modelling to grow their language.

Where do you think your child is currently on The Language Tree?

By 2 years of age a child should have a ‘trunk’ of at least 50 words and starting to put some short 2 word phrases together.

If you have any concerns about your child’s speech and language development, please get it touch!

18/03/2022

I thought I should properly introduce the face behind this new venture. 👋🏻 So I’m Rachel and this is me (photo taken by my 2 year old!). For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a SLT, my younger sister attended SLT, OT, Physio.. the works and I can still remember wanting to help with her SLT home practise.

I qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Speech & Language Therapy from Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus in 2012. I qualified at a time when jobs where very hard to come by but I was fortunate to get my first SLT post fairly quickly with a Charity working with adults. Eventually I got a post with the NHS working within Paediatrics and I have loved every part of it. Most recently I have been specialising in Speech Sound Disorders & Developmental Language Disorder but I have a wide range of experience particularly with Early Language Aquisition, Fluency & Mild/Moderate Learning Disability.

Outside of work I am married to Robbie, who is a dairy farmer and we live right on the farm (I haven’t helped with the milking since we were engaged though 😂). We have 2 gorgeous children, Jonathan who is 2 years & 5 months & Grace who is 7 months so I’m currently living and breathing early language development with them.

I love my job and look forward to combining independent practice alongside my NHS post. If you have any questions, please just drop me a message!