https://cariadspeechtherapy.co.uk/

Cariad Speech Therapy, Chester (2025)

17/10/2025

🌍💛 DLD Awareness Day 2025 💛🌍

Today we’re shining a light on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) a hidden but common condition that affects 1 in 14 people.

DLD means having significant difficulties understanding and/or using language. It’s not part of another condition such as autism, hearing loss, or intellectual disability, which means it often goes unnoticed.

📚 Key facts about DLD:

💬 Around two children in every classroom have DLD.
💬 It can impact learning, literacy, friendships, and emotional well-being.
💬 It can occur alongside ADHD, dyslexia, and reading comprehension difficulties.
💬 DLD is lifelong, and adults with DLD may continue to experience challenges in work and social communication.

At Cariad Speech Therapy, we’re proud to support children, young people, and families affected by DLD, helping every voice to be heard 💛

🌐 You can find translated DLD fact sheets in Welsh, Tamil, Swedish, and many more languages at RADLD.org.

17/10/2025

✨ Speech therapy fuelled by… iced coffee ☕🧊💬

Sometimes even just the thought of an iced coffee gets me through the day! 💖

I can’t take credit for this post, I was inspired by the brilliant and just had to re-create it 🙌🏻💕

15/10/2025

✨ 5 Practical Steps for Implementing AAC in School ✨

Supporting AAC in the classroom doesn’t have to feel overwhelming!

💡 AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is any way of supporting communication beyond verbal language, from high-tech devices to low-tech tools like paper-based core boards or books.

October is AAC Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to think about how we can support communication every day. Here are 5 strategies that can make a BIG difference whilst implementing AAC:

1️⃣ Know the system!
Explore the AAC tool yourself so you know where words and functions are, confidence starts with familiarity.

2️⃣ Model as you go!
Show how to use AAC naturally during activities. Point, tap, or select words as you speak.

3️⃣ No pressure, just exposure!
Children don’t need to “perform” with AAC, consistent modelling and exposure builds comfort and confidence over time.

4️⃣ Repeat across the day!
We learn through repetition, embed AAC in routines, lessons, and play so it becomes part of daily life.

5️⃣ Celebrate every effort!
Every point, tap, or attempt matters. Acknowledge and cheer for all communication attempts 🎉

Implementing AAC is about building communication confidence step by step, you’ve got this! 💪✨

14/10/2025

🗣️ Tuesday Talking Tips- The Power of Movement ✨

Movement isn’t just fun, it’s a powerful tool to help children to regulate, focus, and get ready to communicate. Incorporating movement into play supports emotional regulation, attention, and overall wellbeing.

This week’s focus: Movement

Using active play or simple physical activities helps children manage emotions, settle after big feelings, and prepare for learning and social interaction.

Try this:
🏃‍♂️ Do a quick “animal walk” together: hop like a bunny, stomp like a dinosaur, or crawl like a bear to release energy.
🧘‍♀️ Try deep breaths with stretching: reach up high, then slowly bend down.
🎵 Move to music: dance, sway, or march to calm or energize depending on the need.

✨ Why it works:

🙌🏻 Helps children release tension and settle emotions
🙌🏻 Supports attention, focus, and readiness to engage
🙌🏻 Provides a structured way to regulate energy in a playful, enjoyable way

🌟 Tip: Follow your child’s cues, some need more movement to calm down, others benefit from slower, mindful motions. Combine with simple language like “big stretch” or “slow down” to link regulation and communication.

💛 Try adding one movement-based regulation activity each day this week and notice how it helps your child feel calmer, more focused, and ready to communicate!

13/10/2025

✨⏰ Just 2 weeks to go! 🎃👻

On Monday 27th October, I’ll be teaming up with the amazing charity Saluto Saluto - The Speech Therapy Charity for a FREE Halloween-themed drop-in advice session for parents and guardians of children under 12 🧡

This relaxed, spooky-but-friendly event is the perfect chance to:

🗣️ Chat about any concerns you may have about your child’s speech & language development.
💬 Get personalised advice from a qualified speech and language therapist.
🎨 Let your children enjoy Halloween-themed toys and crafts while you talk.

📍 King George V Community Sports Hub, Blacon
🕞 15:30 – 17:00
👻 No need to book – just drop in!

Please share with anyone who might benefit. We’d love to see you there for some fun, friendly support, and a sprinkle of Halloween magic! ✨🎃

11/10/2025

Me, trying (and failing) to find last year’s Halloween resources so I don’t have to remake them again 🎃

Honestly, this Alan Carr Traitors moment sums up my entire vibe this week, rummaging through old folders like, “I know I had a pumpkin-themed speech game somewhere!” 👀

We’ve been absolutely loving The Traitors in our household, Alan Carr is a complete icon, and the drama is giving me life between report writing and therapy prep 😂

Please tell me I’m not alone 🫠👻

10/10/2025

🌍💚 Today is World Mental Health Day 💚🌍

This year’s theme is:
“Access to services- Mental Health in catastrophes and emergencies’

In times of crisis, it’s vital that mental health support remains available for everyone who needs it.

🗣️ Speech, language and communication are closely linked to mental health. Recent research from shows:

💚 Children and young people with speech and language challenges are at greater risk of developing mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

💚 1 in 5 children and young people (aged 8-25) experienced a mental health problem in 2023, up from 1 in 9 in 2017.

💚 81% of children with mental health problems have significant speech and language challenges, often unidentified.

💚 45% of young people referred to mental health services have difficulties with language skills.

💚 Children and young people with mental health problems are five times more likely to have speech and language difficulties.

Supporting communication development can make a real difference to emotional wellbeing and mental health, especially during difficult times 💬

09/10/2025

🦖 Therapy Toy Spotlight: Dinosaur Pot!

This 4-in-1 game has quickly become one of my favourites. There’s a catching game, fishing game, tic tac toe, and bowling all in one! Parents and staff have also been super eager to get their hands on one!

Highlights:

😍 An instant favourite with the children!
🤸‍♂️ Incorporates movement and perfect to use alongside activities to keep the children focused for longer!
🗣️ Fantastic for a high volume of speech trials!
🤝 Supports turn taking!

⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars
🛒 I got mine from Amazon!

08/10/2025

🍁 Autumn Speech and Language Ideas 🍁

I absolutely love autumn, it’s full of wrapping up warm, pumpkin picking, and cozy drinks! 🍂✨

Here are some fun ways to support speech and language this season:

1️⃣ Autumn Walk:
Collect leaves, acorns, or pinecones while introducing new words like conker, acorn, or oak.

2️⃣ Tuff Tray Sensory Play:
Fill a tray with leaves, acorns, and small pumpkins. Practice in/on/under: “Put the acorn under the leaf.”

3️⃣ Leaf Collage:
Use collected leaves to make a collage. Encourage longer sentences: “The red leaf” or “The big red leaf”.

4️⃣ Pumpkin Play:
Use pumpkin scooping, decorating, or carving to practise target speech sounds like /p/ in pumpkin or /s/ in seeds.

5️⃣ Autumn Snack:
Make apple slices, pumpkin muffins, or other seasonal snacks. Focus on listening and following instructions: “Spread the peanut butter on the apple slice.”

Autumn is the perfect time to wrap up warm, explore the outdoors, and have fun while supporting speech and language development! 🍁✨

07/10/2025

🗣️ Tuesday Talking Tips- The Power of Social Stories ✨

Social stories are short, simple stories that explain everyday situations, helping children understand what to expect, how to behave, and how to communicate effectively.

This week’s focus: Social Stories

Using social stories helps children prepare for new experiences, reduce anxiety, and practice social skills, all while building language and comprehension.

Try this:

📖 Create a story about a daily routine: “Getting Ready for School.”
🦖 Make a story with a favourite toy navigating a new experience: “Teddy Goes to the Doctor.”
🎨 Use pictures or drawings to illustrate steps, feelings, and actions.

✨ Why it works:

🙌🏻 Helps children understand and navigate social situations
🙌🏻 Builds vocabulary related to emotions, actions, and routines
🙌🏻 Encourages conversation, comprehension, and confidence

🌟 Tip: Keep stories short, clear, and positive. Read them together regularly and encourage your child to join in by pointing, saying words, or acting out parts.

💛 Try introducing a social story this week and see how it supports both communication and confidence!

06/10/2025

✨🚀 World Space Week is here! I loved prepping for this theme! 🌍💫 I just know the children are going to really enjoy exploring the wonders of space in our sessions this week! 🪐🧑🏻‍🚀

05/10/2025

🍎 World Teachers’ Day 🍎

In my role, I have the privilege of working closely with some incredible teachers and teaching staff every day. Their patience, and ability to adapt and collaborate makes such a difference to the children we support together.

I also get to see the other side at home, my husband Ajay is a teacher, and I know just how much time, effort, and heart goes into the role. Teaching really is a profession built on dedication.

To all the teachers and school staff out there, thank you for the work you do, often behind the scenes, to help children thrive. You are so valued🌟

Cariad Speech Therapy

17/10/2025

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