In the UK, parents or guardians concerned about a child showing symptoms of Dyspraxia should first contact their GP or Health Visitor for a referral to a local speech and language therapist.

Please note that this section applies only to Therapists and patients seeking referral to The Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre.

The Nuffield Centre specialisation
The Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre specialises in the Developmental Disorders of Speech and Language with a particular expertise in verbal dyspraxia. Children referred will, therefore, have difficulties primarily with the production of accurate speech, but may also have a significant language problem.

Please note
We are not a specialist centre for second opinions on autism, social communication disorders, dysfluency (stammering), cleft palate or developmental delay unless there is a specific concern that a speech disorder complicates the primary diagnosis.

Assessments
Assessments are undertaken in a joint clinic by the specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Consultant in Audiological Medicine or Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics. Appointments usually last for 1 1/2 hours. Exceptionally, some older children may be seen by these professionals, in separate appointments on the same day.

After Assessment
After Assessment some children may be referred to other members of the multidisciplinary team in the Centre, including the clinical psychologist, occupational therapist and developmental paediatrician or to other specialists if this is indicated.

Most children are only seen once in the clinic but some will need review.

Reports
Reports are sent to the referring doctor, local speech and language therapist, community paediatrician, parents and any other professionals agreed with the parents in the clinic. Reports may take about 6 weeks to arrive.

Reports: please note
Our reports are health service reports. We do not write reports for statements of special educational needs, although parents are welcome to use our reports as part of their evidence if they so wish.

Therapy at The Nuffield Centre
Speech and Language Therapy at the Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre is offered to some children with particular needs. Please note:

• Therapy is offered only for speech, not language.
• Therapy is offered as a supplement to local provision, not instead of it.
• A child's name will be put on the therapy list only after the clinic assessment.
• In most instances, we can only offer one course of therapy.

• Young children may be offered a 10 week course of one hour's therapy a week.
• School age children are generally offered a one week intensive course of one hour's therapy daily for 5 days in the school holidays.
• Therapy may include electropalatography (EPG) for children over 8 years old.
• Children with very severe speech and /or language disorders may be referred for consideration for a place at the Nuffield Speech and Language Unit in Ealing, West London, following an initial assessment at the Nuffield Centre.

Making a referral
We welcome referrals from, GPs, Paediatricians and Speech and Language Therapists. All referrals will be discussed jointly by a Consultant and the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

Essential Information

• Medical information from a doctor detailing any underlying medical conditions or past history and current hearing status.
• A recent speech and language therapy report with details of assessment and current therapy. In addition to details of the child's speech, we require information from formal/ informal recognised tests about the child's current receptive and expressive language skills. Ideally, the child should have received at least one course of therapy, specifically targeting speech, before being referred to us.
• A contact telephone number for the family, as well as their address.
• Desirable Information
  Additional reports from other relevant professionals. Copies of statement of special educational need / individual educational plan are also helpful.

Referrals should be addressed to
Nuffield Speech Clinic
Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre
RNTNE Hospital
Gray's Inn Road
London WC1X 8DA

Please note: no appointment will be allocated, until this essential information is received. Please be aware that impending assessment of special educational needs will not be treated as an urgent referral.

A booklet, entitled “Your child's visit to the Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre” is sent to all families with their appointment letter. It describes what will happen during the assessment and contains other helpful information. You can obtain a copy by telephoning the Speech and Language Therapy Clerical Officer: 020-7915-1415.

Medical Consultants: Dr D Lucas, Dr D Lim, Dr B Mac Ardle, Consultants in Audiological Medicine; Dr M Bellman, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician.
Specialist Speech and Language Therapists: Pam Williams (Principal), Shula Burrows, Frances Ridgway, Jenny Gorle.