Inclusion - Speech & Language Therapy at JESS

Speech and Language Therapy Services (SaLT) at JESS Jumeirah

Thasbih is an outstanding therapist and an incredible human being. She is warm, kind, empathetic, knowledgeable, skillful, and has a natural way of connecting with both children and adults. She believes deeply in developing the potential of every child. She will be a big asset to the JESS community.

My name is Thasbih Amin, and I am delighted to be part of the JESS community. Born and raised in Dubai, I’ve been a therapist for 13 years, and a mum for 6. I have a passion for child development and a good book! I love sketching and like to think I bring this creative flair into my therapy sessions.

My areas of specialism include developmental speech and language delays, social communication challenges, Autism Spectrum (ASD), articulation, motor speech disorders (apraxia), auditory processing, stuttering, and literacy difficulties associated with oral language development.

Having worked with several Dubai schools as an outreach therapist over the years, I am excited to be joining the JESS Inclusion team as an integrated in house therapist

~ JESS Jumeirah Parent Testimonial

What is SaLT?

The ability to master communication is at the heart of every child’s successful school experience and can influence their personal and professional success in later life. For example:

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vocabulary size in early childhood is a strong predictor of later academic success. students with speech sound errors persisting beyond the age of 5 are at greater risk for literacy challenges in Key Stage 1 and beyond. there is a strong correlation between positive social interactions and wellbeing.

The role of a school based Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) is to identify and support speech, language and communication needs as early as possible, in order to minimise any cascading effect on literacy, learning, or social emotional wellbeing.

Children who have difficulties with any of the following may be candidates for SaLT:

Speech sound articulation

Stuttering, breath support, and voice

Understanding instructions, questions, topic vocabulary, and ‘big ideas’ Expressing their ideas in an age appropriate way, both orally and in writing Cognitive communication, such as imagination, organisation, problem solving Play and social skill development

SaLT sessions are designed to be interactive, engaging and fun for the child, using developmentally appropriate, functional, and meaningful activities. Sessions are usually 45minutes in length and would either be one on one or as part of a small group of up to 4 children, depending on the specific need of the children.

SaLT Services

Standard & Supplementary SaLT Service

The Standard SaLT service is available for all children and is included as a part of school fees. This will comprise of in classroom support for teachers and students as well as well as preventative and promotive developmental strategies for families.

The Supplementary (paid) service is available for specific children and will either consist of small group or one to one Speech and Language Therapy sessions.

Free Screening Service

Free of charge, informal school screenings are offered at JESS, if you or your child’s teacher feels that SaLT may be beneficial. This would consist of the therapist observing your child for 15 20 minutes, in the classroom or during an individual activity. This aims to give an initial insight into whether further SaLT evaluation is recommended or if another specialist would be better suited. Parents and teachers will receive brief, informal feedback sheet following this free screening.

School-based assessment

If a detailed SaLT assessment is recommended for your child, this would likely be done over 2x 45minute sessions. SaLT assessments involve standardised evaluations which measure your child’s speech, language, communication and/or literacy skills based on their age. These allow the therapist to measure both your child’s strengths and areas for development in order to formulate specific therapy goals.

~Therapy without effective assessment is like setting sail without a map~

Following the assessment, you will receive a written summary and verbal feedback, including recommendations for both home and in the classroom. It is recommended that children receiving SaLT are re evaluated as part of ongoing therapy, to ensure that their therapy remains highly personalised, effective, and evidence based.

“Team Around the Child” Approach

The SaLT is a fully integrated member of the Oasis team at JESS. Therapy goals and strategies are informed by the school’s team around the child, including the parent as well as the child themselves. Goals are updated termly and progress meetings are available in line with the parent teacher meeting schedules, or as your child completes a ‘block’ of therapy.

Regular session feedback is shared with both you as a parent as well as with the child’s teachers and any staff that support your child. Seesaw updates will be sent to the team around your child, as a window into the tools and strategies that worked well within the sessions. These updates will give an insight into what can be followed up at home as well as what support strategies can be carried out in the classroom.

~Collaborative communication and carryover of therapy goals into the home and classroom setting is invaluable to each child’s progress~