Steel Stewart: Speech and language therapy for children

Inspiring and improving your child's communication
Specialising in children's speech and language therapy, we provide programmes built specifically to your child's individual needs.

With 4 therapists and over 20 years of clinical experience working across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, we're delivering unrivalled expertise in a way that's structured, straightforward and successful.

It's all about giving your child a positive, engaging and impactful experience, one that sees them thrive in whatever they choose to do.
Let's keep everything clear and simple
We know this can be a stressful time for you as a parent. You want to make sure you get the best for your child and importantly, to understand what best actually is.

That's why we've developed a clear and straightforward process. At each stage we want you to understand what we're doing, why we're doing it and what you can do to play your part too.

It has three simple phases: Assessing, Reporting; Therapy

Assessing
This is where we get to know your child and you too.

We carry out an assessment of your child to understand their communication skills and needs. This assessment may include formal standardised tests and informal assessment through play and observation.

We also take the time to understand a little about you – what are your thoughts and your needs for your child. You can be as much a part of the development process as your child and we are!
Reporting
Following our assessment we will prepare a report detailing our findings.

This will give you a full understanding of our assessment, with identification of your child's strengths and needs, setting out the programme of therapy that we recommend.

It's important to note that at this point you are under no obligation to take the therapy any further.
Therapy
The recommended frequency and length of the therapy programme will be discussed at the initial assessment.

It's likely that your child will be seen once a week, at a regular time and in a regular location. Therapy sessions last for up to 60 minutes and comprise structured activities to meet your child's needs.

We want sessions to be fun and engaging and we use a wide range of toys and games in our therapy. In addition, we can provide homework activities so you can get involved with your child's therapy too. Sessions can be carried out in our clinic in central Aberdeen, in your home or in your child's school.

We regularly collaborate with other relevant stakeholders such as your existing NHS therapist, educational psychologists, paediatricians, health visitors, head teachers, teachers and classroom assistants.
Specific areas of specialism
Within our work there are specific streams of support that we regularly provide. These include: speech delay and disorder; language delay and disorder; autism; stammering; developmental delay; learning difficulties; physical impairment and dyslexia.

Speech delay and disorder
Children with speech delay and speech disorder have difficulty producing a number of sounds and, as a result you may find it difficult to understand your child's speech.

We can work with your child to help them learn how to make the sounds they find difficult.

Clearer speech and easier communication for your child will result in less frustration and more developmental progress.
Autism
Children with autism have varying levels of difficulty with communication and social interaction.

Your child may have difficulty understanding language and with talking. They may find it difficult to interact with other children and adults. You may find their behaviour difficult to manage.

We will work with you and your child to develop functional communication to support improvement and understanding of language.
Language delay and disorder
Children with language delay and disorder are slower to develop spoken language. Your child may have difficulty understanding instructions and may have only a few words. Older children might have difficulty constructing sentences and having conversation.

We can work with your child to improve their understanding and their language skills.

Better language skills result in more effective communication and increased learning potential.
Stammering
Around 5% of children will stammer at some time during the development of their speech and language.

Your child may repeat whole words or only the start of words and they may find it difficult to get the words they want out when they are talking.

With therapy techniques such as Lidcombe and Michael Palin parent-child interaction we will teach your child techniques to achieve fluent speech.
Training programmes
We can provide specially tailored training for groups who are interested in expanding their knowledge of speech and language development and therapy.

We also provide training for teachers, nurseries, health professionals and parent groups who want to develop their roles supporting children with speech and language difficulties in their setting.
Experience and expertise

Gillian Steel
Therapist / Director
Gillian graduated from Queen Margaret College in 1992. After graduating she worked in the NHS for several years before starting up in independent practice with Rachel. Gillian's background is mainly in additional support needs including autism and learning difficulties. Due her experience she is confident in working with children and young people with a wide range of communication difficulties.
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RCSLT registered
RCSLT is the professional body for people working in speech and language therapy in the UK.
Let's talk!
Websites are all good and well for giving you the functional information, but we really need to talk. Please call, or if you prefer, email us in the first instance.

Inspiring and improving your child's communication

Let's keep everything clear and simple

Assessing

Reporting

Therapy

Specific areas of specialism

Within our work there are specific streams of support that we regularly provide. These include: speech delay and disorder; language delay and disorder; autism; stammering; developmental delay; learning difficulties; physical impairment and dyslexia.

Speech delay and disorder

Autism

Language delay and disorder

Stammering

Training programmes

Experience and expertise

Gillian Steel

Therapist / Director

RCSLT registered

Let's talk!

Websites are all good and well for giving you the functional information, but we really need to talk. Please call, or if you prefer, email us in the first instance.