The Adult Learning Disability service is for people over 18 years old with a diagnosed learning disability.  If you require support for adults who don’t have a learning disability, please take a look at the Speech and Language Therapy Adult service. 

We work within the Community Learning Disability Team in Fife to provide specialist assessment, intervention, training and advice for people with communication needs and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.  The Speech and Language Therapy team can visit you at home, at your day services or in care homes. 

Communication

Up to 90% of people with learning disability have communication difficulties. Speech, language and communication needs can lead to social barriers and health inequalities due to reduced understanding, being misunderstood by others and/or difficulty expressing thoughts and needs.  Speech and Language Therapy assessment and input can help a person to communicate to their full potential. We consider the communication skills and opportunities people have and work with the person and the people who support them, to enhance these.

We may suggest adapting verbal communication (the words and sentences we use), non-verbal communication (our body language, facial expression etc) or using Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods to support spoken language e.g. signing, visual aids, easy read information, paper-based communication aids and voice output communication aids. 

Eating, Drinking and Swallowing

Eating drinking and swallowing needs (dysphagia) are one of the most common health complications for people with learning disability. Speech and language therapists can provide assessment, advice and support to increase comfort at mealtimes and reduce risk of aspiration and choking.

Referral

The Speech and Language Therapy service promotes easy access to support and assistance through a request for assistance model.  With appropriate consent, requests for assistance for the Adult Learning Disability SLT Service can be made by anyone who has concern for the person including parents, carers, health and social care professionals and third sector. We are happy to chat through any questions or concerns you may have about the person or people you support. 

If you would like to speak to a Speech and Language Therapist, please contact us: 
•    by phone on 01383 565259/ 01383 565494
•    by email fife.sltaldteam@nhs.scot or
•    by completing this form 

Once we have received your request one of the team will call you to further discuss your concerns.

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