{"id":1807,"date":"2025-07-29T14:52:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T13:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/slt-clinic\/?page_id=1807"},"modified":"2026-01-26T14:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:48:02","slug":"better-conversations-for-dld","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/slt-clinic\/better-conversations-for-dld\/","title":{"rendered":"Better conversations for DLD"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This pathway is\u00a0appropriate for\u00a0children\u00a0aged 6-8\u00a0with language difficulties, including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The programme aims to promote the child\u2019s\u00a0spoken language and conversation skills by offering strategies for both you and your child\u00a0to support\u00a0your everyday interactions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">What is\u00a0Better Conversations therapy?\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018Better Conversations\u2019 is a therapy approach that aims to help children with\u00a0language\u00a0difficulties to\u00a0have more enjoyable and successful interactions in their everyday lives. It involves working in collaboration with children and their main carers to\u00a0identify\u00a0and practise the best strategies for\u00a0enhancing the content and flow of\u00a0natural\u00a0conversations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As conversation is highly individual, there is no \u2018one-size-fits-all\u2019 formula. Instead, we will think together about your\u00a0daily\u00a0conversations and what\u00a0makes them more enjoyable and meaningful.\u00a0\u2018Better Conversations\u2019 is a flexible approach, based on a set of core principles that can be\u00a0adapted for children\u00a0and adults\u00a0with a wide range of\u00a0communication strengths and needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the therapy to work,\u00a0both the child and the parent\u00a0or\u00a0carer\u00a0need to be motivated and\u00a0involved. After all, it takes (at least) two to have a conversation\u2026<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The programme is delivered by student Speech and Language Therapists who are closely supervised by qualified specialist Speech and Language Therapists and follows evidence-based best practice recommended in\u00a0Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)\u00a0guidelines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">What does\u00a0Better Conversations\u00a0involve?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018Better Conversations\u2019\u00a0works by teaching strategies to you\u00a0and your child\u00a0which will support their\u00a0language\u00a0and\u00a0communication development. In clinic,\u00a0parents\u00a0and children\u00a0are taught and have opportunities to practise the strategies.\u202f Parents\u2019 interaction with their child is\u00a0video\u2013recorded\u00a0to provide them with feedback on their use of the strategies and the effect of these strategies on their\u00a0child\u2019s language and conversation development. Parents and children are asked to practise the strategies at home in play and everyday activities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">What is your commitment?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To attend\u00a0an initial\u00a0assessment\u00a0in Clinic<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Primary carer\u00a0and child\u00a0to attend the University clinic for\u00a06\u00a0weekly\u202fsessions, each lasting\u00a0up to\u00a0one hour<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To agree to student involvement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To agree to videoing for feedback and teaching purposes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To practise the strategies with your child at home in\u202fplay and everyday activities<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To attend a follow-up appointment after\u00a0\u2018Better Conversations\u2019\u202fhas finished<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following completion of the programme, most\u00a0children\u00a0will be\u202fdischarged from our caseload<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">How do I know if\u00a0Better Conversations\u00a0is\u00a0appropriate?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We will look at your referral information\u00a0and at your child\u2019s\u00a0initial\u00a0assessment results\u00a0to\u00a0make a decision\u00a0about whether\u00a0\u2018Better Conversations\u2019\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0appropriate\u00a0pathway\u00a0for you.\u202f We normally offer\u00a0\u2018Better Conversations\u2019\u00a0to\u00a0primary school-aged children with\u00a0language difficulties, including Developmental Language Disorder.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">Supervising therapists\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The programme has been devised by:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr\u00a0Lucy Hughes,\u00a0a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (SL24463).\u00a0Lucy\u00a0has worked with children and adolescents with speech,\u00a0language\u00a0and communication needs for\u00a0more than\u00a020 years.\u00a0She\u00a0has specialised in\u00a0language disorders, including DLD,\u00a0since\u00a02010\u00a0in both research and clinical settings.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">What parents say about\u00a0Better Conversations\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMore time dedicated to conversation\u00a0definitely supports\u00a0language development. There are lots of strategies to help, but time, space and awareness are\u00a0probably the\u00a0best.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a brilliant little therapy.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0given me the tools to be able to help my son&#8230; It was so frustrating to have a conversation with him. I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know if he was being silly or\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want to talk. But now\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0realised I just need to give him more time.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Please email\u202f<\/span><\/b><a href=\"mailto:paediatric-slt@reading.ac.uk\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">paediatric-slt@reading.ac.uk<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fif you have any questions.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This pathway is\u00a0appropriate for\u00a0children\u00a0aged 6-8\u00a0with language difficulties, including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).\u00a0 The programme aims to promote the child\u2019s\u00a0spoken language and conversation skills by offering strategies for both you and&#8230;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"&#104;&#116;&#116;&#112;&#115;&#58;&#47;&#47;&#115;&#105;&#116;&#101;&#115;&#46;&#114;&#101;&#97;&#100;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#46;&#97;&#99;&#46;&#117;&#107;&#47;&#115;&#108;&#116;&#45;&#99;&#108;&#105;&#110;&#105;&#99;&#47;&#98;&#101;&#116;&#116;&#101;&#114;&#45;&#99;&#111;&#110;&#118;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#97;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#115;&#45;&#102;&#111;&#114;&#45;&#100;&#108;&#100;&#47;\">Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8.1 - 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