Gloucestershire Children's Speech & Language Therapy

21/01/2026

The Gloucestershire Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) service has been partnering with Pippin - Speech Delay App to support some of our families taking part in the programme.

The app content has been designed by an experienced Speech and Language Therapist, with the aim to help families understand their child's communication strengths & needs with practical ideas to encourage language development.

If you are eligible for a free download through ELSEC then you will have had a leaflet home with a QR code. If you have any questions then please get in contact with the ELSEC team in your child's setting and they will be able to help you.

If you're using Pippin - we'd love to here your feedback to share with the developers. Please comment or pop us a message.

12/01/2026

Mattel continue to recognise differences in children and young people and have launched a new Barbie who has Autism.

An autism advocacy group describes the new toy as a "milestone" in representation.

18/12/2025

Following a review of the Autistic SPACE Framework, as a service we’d be interested to hear from families what reasonable adjustments would make it more comfortable to attend clinic appointments to support with predictability, sensory differences and communication. For example, having the option of having lights on/off, turning down the radio in the waiting room. Please comment below with any ideas that you may have. Thanks.

25/11/2025

We’re pleased to announce that our Selective Mutism video and leaflet are now available to NHS professionals.

21/11/2025

Some interesting statistics on the prevalence of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17XgFR5ooM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Awareness Changes Lives - DLD is 50 times more prevalent than hearing impairment and five times more prevalent than autism.

17/10/2025

Today is Developmemtal Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day. DLD affects 1 in 14 people and therefore is more common than Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Yet rarely do we hear society talking about the condition. Here’s some useful facts to know…

16/10/2025

Today the Team wore pink and ate cake to raise money for the Breast Cancer Now Charity.

20/09/2025

This week there was an additional observer to the sessions at the Forest of Dean Hospital 🦌

13/09/2025

It’s good to see that society is considering the wider impact of those with SLCN.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFmGR2b9k/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We're offering drivers and passengers with speech, language or communication needs free seatbelt covers to help make things easier after incidents on the road.

The covers contain a card inside which allows the user to add their name, age, address, medical conditions or other information about how they like to be communicated with.

➡️ Anyone who feels they may benefit from one can collect a cover from their nearest Police Enquiry Office (PEO).

Check where your nearest PEO is: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/find-a-police-station/

To read more about the seatbelt covers, visit: https://news.devon-cornwall.police.uk/news-article/2ab1e99a-1c8f-f011-9d82-6045bdd24049

04/09/2025

What a fantastic resource to have in our county.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BVqzPRuMe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

17/08/2025

Last week we said a very fond farewell and thank you to our colleague Nicki Grey who has retired from her role in the Advisory Teaching service as Specialist Lead for AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication ).

Nicki has worked in Gloucestershire for over 25 years and her support has enabled children and young adults with complex communication needs to thrive in education settings across the county.

Nicki has presented at regional and national forums, championing the rights of children to access appropriate assessment, equipment provision and support to use AAC successfully.

We wish her all the best for her retirement.

08/08/2025

****New Date Available****

*Monday 11th August 10-11.30am at Hesters Way Children's Centre, Dill Ave, Cheltenham GL51 0ES*

Who's ready for an adventure? 🏞🌲🌲🐾🐻

The Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) Team are running some stay and play sessions over the Summer and there are still limited spaces available!

Booking is essential. Please email early.language@ghc.nhs.uk with your child's name, age and date you would like to attend. Please do not attend if we have not confirmed your place.

Join us for a mix of free play and fun activities to boost language development for children up to age 5. The sessions are run by Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and you must stay with your child throughout the session.

The following dates are available to book:

Tuesday 22nd July 10-11.30am at Woodfield Nest, Elstub Ln, Dursley, GL11 6JJ

Wednesday 30th July 10-11.30am at King's Stanley Playgroup, Behind Kings Stanley Village Hall, Broad Street, Kings Stanley, Stonehouse, GL10 3PN

We look forward to meeting you 👋 😃