Speech sound disorder

This pathway is suitable for children: 

• aged 2 years 0 months to 8 years 9 months. 

• who have a speech sound disorder diagnosis of consistent phonological disorder or inconsistent phonological disorder.*  

The pathways aims to support families to develop the clarity of their child’s speech.  

*Phonological disorders are when a child has difficulty using speech sounds in the right place within words. These children can often say the sounds even if they do not yet use them in words.  

About the SSD pathway 

The SSD pathway is designed to support children with phonological based SSD by delivering an intervention that closely follows evidence based best practice. The pathway aims to support children with the clarity of their speech as well as working with the child’s caregivers and education staff to support them to deliver appropriate home practice with the child. We may also work with families to consider alternative forms of communication for use whilst the child’s speech is difficult to understand.  

Intervention is delivered by student Speech and Language Therapists who are closely supervised by a qualified specialist Speech and Language Therapist.  

What does the SSD pathway involve? 

You will typically be invited in for nine sessions on this pathway. The first session will include: 

• Asking you and your child about any current interests and hobbies to support us to plan for fun sessions 

• Some additional information gathering about how you spend time as a family to support you to find the most appropriate time for home practice 

• Asking you and your child about what they hope to gain from the sessions 

• Some detailed speech information to inform intervention 

• Joint decision making on the approach for the remaining sessions, including discussion around targets to work on 

What is your commitment? 

• To attend 9 weekly sessions – usually starting sometime between 9.30-3.30 

• To agree to student involvement 

• To agree to videoing for feedback, analysis and teaching purposes 

• To complete home practice with your child two-three times a week 

• To attend a follow up appointment after the pathway has finished to determine next steps. 

Please note that our clinic runs a time-limited service within university term time. Most children will be discharged with advice and signposting following this pathway. 

How do I know if the SSD pathway is appropriate? 

Children will be referred onto this pathway following our detailed assessment pathway. This will be discussed with parents by the clinician completing the assessment.  

Supervising therapists 

This pathway has been developed by: 

Katherine Pritchard with the support of placement students 

What parents say about the SSD pathway 

 

 

Please email paediatric-slt@reading.ac.uk if you have any questions.