Speech and Language Therapy – Learning Disability

The Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service is for people with a learning disability who may experience speech, language, communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

Learning disability speech and language therapy

We provide specialist assessment and management of speech, language, communication, and/or swallowing disorders for adults with learning disabilities. We work as part of a multi-disciplinary learning disability team with other healthcare professionals including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. Our speech and language therapists also work closely with families and carers, offering training about communication and safer eating and drinking.

Opening hours

We work Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside these hours, an answerphone is available for you to leave a message. Please leave your contact details and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Location

Speech and language therapy for adults with a learning disability is offered in three locations: Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale; York and Selby; and Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale
Eastfield Clinic
Westway
Eastfield
Scarborough
YO11 3EG

York and Selby
Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities
Systems House
Amy Johnson Way
Clifton Moor
York
YO30 4XT

Hambleton and Richmondshire
Community Learning Disabilities Team
Gibraltar House
Thurston Road
Northallerton
DL6 2NA

Referral

We offer our services on an open access basis. This means that anyone can request an appointment with one of our speech and language therapists.

The Learning Disability Service assesses all referrals. If the person has a learning disability and would be an appropriate candidate for our services, the referral is allocated to the speech and language therapist. If the person does not have a learning disability, the referral may be sent to another service after discussion with the referrer.

We may telephone you to gather more information, discuss where best to see the person, and identify whether or not help is needed to access the appointment. We will then either send a letter or telephone to book an appointment directly.

We aim to see clients at the most appropriate venue for the assessment. For example, we may observe someone eating and drinking at home to assess their ability to swallow.

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