Speech and language therapy
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How to find a speech and language therapist
If you think you, your child or relative needs to see a speech and language therapist ask your doctor, district nurse, health visitor, your child's nursery staff or teacher for a referral.
You can also refer yourself to your local speech and language therapy service or to an independent speech and language therapy service.
You do not have to wait for someone else to refer you.
Call on your local NHS service, Allied Health Council and Ghana Association of Speech and Language Therapists (GSLT) and ask for the telephone numbers of both your local speech and language therapist and that of independent speech and language therapy services (in private practice).
Ghana - please contact GSLT for advice:
Greater Accra Region
Central Region
Eastern Region
Ashanti Region
Western Region
Volta Region
Northern Region
Brong Ahafo Region
Upper East Region
Upper West Region
What happens next?
This varies across Ghana because services are organized in different ways. In most places, the demand for services is very high although there aren't enough speech and language therapists to match that demand.
Some areas run a system where first referrals are sorted before appointments are made. Other areas as we have it in most regions of Ghana, do not have this type of system in place.
If you have this system in your area, a speech and language therapist or assistant may telephone you first to find out more about your situation. At this stage ask what will happen next and how long you may have to wait for an appointment.
If you think you have been asked to wait too long for a first appointment or for treatment after the first appointment, contact the speech and language therapy department or service centre to ask what has happened.
If you still experience difficulty, contact GSLT to discuss the situation.
Independent (private) speech and language therapists
Independent speech and language therapists can usually offer an immediate appointment for assessment followed by therapy to suit the client.
Contact the Ghana Association of Speech and Language Therapists (GSLT) to find your local independent or private therapists.
Some independent therapists offer specialization in specific areas of communication difficulties, including:
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Assessment and diagnosis of complex disorders sometimes in association with other professionals.
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Tutorials for specific problems, such as dyslexia.
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Second opinions and reports for statements of special educational need and attendance at tribunal assessments, reports and court attendance for medico-legal claims.