Speech & Language
Speech and language therapy is incredibly valuable for children and adults with Down syndrome, celebrating their unique strengths and supporting their growth in various areas.
Down Syndrome Ireland is committed to providing comprehensive speech and language therapy support across several branches, including Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Galway, Kildare, and Dublin. In these locations, individuals can access specialised services tailored to their unique needs. To access these supports, please complete the referral form below.
In other counties, DSI extends its support through the Speech and Language Therapy Assistants Programme. This programme is currently available to children aged 0-12 in the Northwest and Southeast of the country.
A variety of training on different topics is also available for early years educators, primary and secondary school teachers, daycare staff, medical and healthcare professionals, and parents.
Several programmes are available to support communication development, such as Lámh, See and Learn and Reading and Language Intervention.
Please contact National Speech and Language Therapy Coordinator for further information and support olive@downsyndrome.ie
SLTA Resources
The Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTA) Programme in DSI provides essential support to children with Down syndrome aged 0-12. This programme is designed to complement the work of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) by offering additional, hands-on assistance to ensure that every child receives the attention and care they need to thrive. This programme is available in the Northwest, Southeast, Laois and Galway.
For more details about the SLT assistant’s programme, please reach out to the National Speech and Language Therapy Coordinator at olive@downsyndrome.ie
Referral Form
Please complete the referral form and send to the appropriate SLT branch.
Special Interest Group (SIG)
The Down Syndrome Special Interest Group (SIG) is a collective of SLTs supporting individuals with Down syndrome in Ireland. The SIG seeks to provide support and practical continuous professional development to our members.
TRAINING
DSI can provide training to support parents, early years educators, speech and language therapists, primary and secondary school teachers, day care staff and medical and healthcare professionals.
For more information on training, contact olive@downsyndrome.ie.
MEET THE TEAM
Orla O Mahony
Cork
Branch Coordinator/Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Chloe McCarthy
Cork
Speech and Language Therapist
Samantha Yau
Limerick
Speech and Language Therapist
Fiona Young
Limerick
Speech and Language Therapist
Susanna Stokes
Tipperary
Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Anne Watson
Kildare
Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Muireann Balfe
Kildare
Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Martina Dwyer
Clare
Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Eilis Hogan
Galway
Speech and Language Therapist
SLT Assistants
To get in contact with an SLTA in the Northwest, Southeast, Laois or Galway region, email: olive@downsyndrome.ie