The importance of early intervention for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Speech Therapy South West

Did you know 1 in 10 children have communication problems that require specialist help from a Speech & Language Therapist?

Children can have problems with:

Speech intelligibility: the way the child produces sounds.

Expressive language: this is the child’s ability to join words to form sentences using the correct vocabulary and grammar.

Receptive language (understanding). This is the child’s ability to understand words they hear or read.

Social use of language e.g turntaking, interpreting jokes/non literal speech e.g ‘I feel down in the dumps’, understanding emotions, showing empathy.

Research and clinical experience tells us that children who start school with unresolved Speech, Language and Communication needs are more likely to have difficulties later on with academic, social and emotional development.

At Speech Therapy South West we understand how important it is to address communication problems in children as early as possible. It is vital we provide parents with immediate advice, support, reassurance and rapid assessment/treatment if required. Early intervention is the most effective way to help children overcome their difficulties, and to realise their full potential.

Strategies to help young children develop the communication skills

Make sure you have the child’s attention before you speak to them

Use shorter sentences and keep language simple (Less is more!) e.g.

“Finish your tea”. Pause

“Put your plate away”. Pause

“Then get changed for bed”

Speak a little more slowly than you usually do. Repeat your sentence if the child doesn’t appear to understand

Demonstrate if necessary

Use gestures, pictures or anything else visual to help the child to understand

Clarify & give extra time if necessary

If you are asking the child to do something ensure the child understands your instructions by asking them to repeat what they think they have to do

Don’t ask the child ‘test’ questions if you already know the answer – this can lead to changes in the child’s behaviour as he/she can feel under pressure. Children learn best when they are having fun.

Don’t pass comment when he/she gets words wrong; instead provide him/her with the correct word or phrase.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Where to start

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Dr Melissa Fitzgerald

If you were considering a cosmetic procedure that involved a laser, or injections around your eyes or mouth, how would you decide where to go?

Would you go to a beauty salon, or would you choose to go to a doctor with 25 years of clinical experience and postgraduate training? Would you go to a GP or dentist who does a little bit of cosmetic work on the side, or would you choose someone who is doing cosmetic procedures every day, all day?

Now Tavistock has The Fitzgerald Clinic, run by Dr Melissa Fitzgerald, who has left hospital medicine to start up her own business offering laser and other aesthetic treatments. After working for many years in cardiology and cardiothoracic transplantation, she recently retrained in cosmetic medicine. We spoke to Melissa in her bright and airy clinic in Tavistock:

What are the latest developments
in cosmetic medicine?
Cosmetic medicine is an exciting new and growing specialty which bridges the traditional divide between surgery and cosmetics. For many years the only solutions on offer for the ageing face have been overpriced lotions and potions with dubious efficacy, or painful expensive surgery that can give an unnatural result.  But now it is possible to bring about really pleasing subtle changes with minimally invasive procedures involving less risk, no downtime, and with a considerably less painful price tag.

What sort of treatments does The Fitzgerald Clinic offer?
At the heart of my practice is my very clever Laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) machine, which is fantastic for treating all sorts of dermatological conditions such as thread veins, rosacea, acne, liver spots, abnormalities of pigmentation, port wine stains and sundamaged skin. It is also used for permanent hair reduction, as a vastly superior alternative to waxing, bleaching and electrolysis.  If your hair is dark and your skin is pale, IPL is a truly lifechanging treatment for unwanted hair. I know if it had been available when I was in my 20s I would have mortgaged my (parents’!) house in order to save myself years of battling with the Bic and lacerating myself with the Ladyshave. My daughters are the envy of all their pals because they are soon to be hair free, pretty much for ever.  The clinic offers a number of different injectable treatments to smooth out lines and wrinkles and restore lost volume to the face, and I can also help with difficult skin problems such as acne and rosacea and chronic sun damage. I’m particularly evangelistic about good skin care and informing my clients about the things they really should be putting on their faces instead of extortionately priced moisturisers that are sold over the counter in department stores and that probably do more harm than good!

Do these treatments really work, and are they safe?
Having spent most of my professional life in the field of cardiology, I could only feel happy recommending and carrying out procedures that I am convinced are worthwhile and that have a body of scientific evidence to support their safety and efficacy.

Is there a lot of call for these sorts of treatment in this part of the world?
Well, I’m delighted to say that my clinic is getting busier and busier every day, but I do think that some people are still a little in the dark about the sorts of treatment that are available now. When I talk to people about what I do, the commonest responses I get are: “What about Lesley Ash’s lips?”, “I don’t like the idea of Botox? Isn’t it a poison?”, “Yes, I hate my frown lines but it would just be vanity to do anything about them, wouldn’t it?”, “I would love to have some treatment but I wouldn’t want anyone to know.”, “Isn’t it painful?” So, I invite potential clients to come and meet me so I can answer questions and set their minds at rest. All initial consultations are free of charge, with absolutely no obligation to proceed to treatment.

The Fitzgerald Clinic

The Fitzgerald Clinic
9 Plymouth Road,
Tavistock, PL19 8AU
www.thefitzgeraldclinic.co.uk
info@thefitzgeraldclinic.co.uk
Tel: 01822 617873

Posted in cosmetic medicine | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Acupuncture and the Changing Seasons

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Marcus Mason

Traditional Acupuncture and the Changing Seasons

by Marcus Mason LicAc, MBAcC.

Traditional Acupuncture is a long-established system of Chinese Medicine that has evolved over 5,000 years into a sophisticated, practical and completely natural means of treating the underlying causes and symptoms of many common conditions, illnesses and diseases.

Acupuncture works by restoring the natural balance, rhythms and cycles of your body and healthy relationships between the organ systems; it is capable of alleviating a wide range of symptoms, as well as addressing the underlying causes of many illnesses. When treatment is effective at the causative level, then it can bring lasting healing to the body, calm the emotions and the mind, and restore the spirit.

In my practice at 9 Plymouth Road, Tavistock, I integrate the two main styles of Traditional Acupuncture – Five Element Acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine); this enables an approach which can address the presenting illness, its symptoms, patterns and syndromes, and at the same time strengthen your system at the constitutional level.

The Five Elements and the Seasons

Fundamental to the theory and practice of Traditional Acupuncture is an understanding of our place within the natural world and the changing cycles of Nature, the Seasons. Our body’s organs and systems can respond differently at different times of the year – you have probably noticed that certain complaints or illnesses may tend to re-appear, or worsen at certain times of year, on a regular basis. This is not just a coincidence, but is because different organs are more directly linked with different seasons, and so people often experience difficulties in adapting to the seasonal changes, when they occur.

As we approach the change from Late Summer into Autumn, we are moving from a predominance of the ‘Earth’ element, into the season of the ‘Metal’ element. We are moving from a time of the abundant harvest, into a time of letting go and preparation for the withdrawal into winter. This can affect us in a number of ways and at a number of different levels.

It may be true for many that, in these difficult times of cut-backs and uncertainty, we may not have had a particularly good ‘harvest’, or sense of abundance in spite of all our good intentions and efforts this year. We may perhaps be feeling a sense of lack or overwhelm, and a sense of trepidation about how we are going to manage through the winter; we may be feeling that what looked like being a good summer ‘fizzled out’ towards the end, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction or disappointment. For many, these feelings will just pass, but if they persist, then they can cause a build up of internal pressures and tensions that may result in illness, loss of energy, drive or optimism to tackle what lies ahead.

In particular this seasonal change can affect the Stomach and Spleen (Earth), and the Lungs and Large Intestine (Metal); this may result in digestive disorders (Stomach), or a weakening of the immune system’s (Spleen) ability to fight infection, making us more susceptible to bugs; this in turn can affect the Lungs and any recurrent breathing problems, or the bowels, digestion and re-absorption of nutrients (Large Intestine).

When we are fit and healthy and happy then these and other organs are much better equipped to adjust to the changing demands of the seasonal change. So, it can be a wise decision to have some acupuncture treatment in the run up to and during the seasonal change-over, so that these and other organs may be strengthened and supported, enabling you to negotiate the coming months with an increased sense of well-being, vigour, energy and optimism for the future.

Contact and Appointments

If you would like to find out more about Acupuncture treatment, or to discuss a particular condition or illness, or to make an appointment for a ‘Seasonal Top-up’ treatment, then please call Marcus Mason on 01822 616424, or email marcus@heavenandearth.org.uk

Posted in acupuncture | Tagged | 3 Comments

“I’d have all sorts of other treatments but don’t like the idea of Botox”

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Dr Melissa Fitzgerald

botox 05 300x206 Id have all sorts of other treatments but dont like the idea of Botox

glabellar injection

Why not? It’s really not scary. Nor need you look scary when you’ve had a treatment. I have been having botulinum toxin injections in my forehead for 20 years, and I can honestly say it is the most effective and transforming “beauty treatment” I have ever had. In my early 30’s I used to have quite a marked frown line. Even when I was having a perfectly happy conversation with someone, I didn’t realise I was actually frowning. I used to joke that I frightened babies in their prams when I cooed at them, and it wasn’t so far from the truth. Then I read about this interesting new treatment, and went off to a plastic surgeon in Harley St, Mr Dev Basra. He sat me on his treatment couch, put about 4 tiny injections in my forehead which took approximately 60 seconds, and that was that. £200 ( in 1990) thank you very much. I didn’t even get to sign a consent form. I wouldn’t have dreamed of telling my husband, but about 5 days later he said to me, (completely out of the blue), “Gosh Melly you are looking really happy at the moment! What are you so happy about?”. I rest my case m’Lud.

The Fitzgerald Clinic

Posted in botox, cosmetic medicine | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Will you be taking your clothes off in public this summer?

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Dr Melissa Fitzgerald

It’s a shocking thought I know, but now spring has sprung, it won’t be long before camisoles and sleeveless T-shirts are being dug out of the drawer.

PRUNING TIPS FOR YOUR HERBACEOUS BORDER
PRUNING TIPS FOR YOUR HERBACEOUS BORDER

Holiday brochure riffling leads inevitably to thoughts of the dreaded b (ikini) word, and all its attendant anxieties; not only those concerned with  size and shape, but also the added delight of dealing with unwanted foliage sprouting from various nooks and crannies. It is tricky trying to lift a cocktail elegantly to one’s mouth while keeping one’s arm firmly clasped to the side of the body. However, you will be pleased to hear that The Fitzgerald Clinic could be the answer to your prayers. Before you too join the hordes of unfortunates attending Casualty departments all over the country with depilation-related repetitive strain injury, have you thought about a more permanent solution to your perennial gardening problems?

If your hair is dark and your skin is pale, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a truly fantastic treatment for unwanted hair. High energy light is directed onto the skin through a quartz block, where it is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles. The light energy is turned into heat which destroys the follicle, preventing new hairs from being formed. During one treatment, only a percentage of the follicles ( those that are in the correct growth phase)  are destroyed, and therefore several ( usually 6-8) treatments are required to effectively clear an area. It is extremely quick and easy to do especially for small areas like bikini and underarms. Even full  legs can be done now in about 1.5-2 hours, using a larger quartz block. The equipment required is extremely expensive to buy, which is why the treatment is not particularly cheap. It is however brilliantly effective, and I know if it had been available when I was in my 20’s I would have mortgaged my (parents’!) house in order to save myself years of battling with the Bic and lacerating myself with the Ladyshave.  My daughters are the envy of all their pals, because they are soon to be hair free, pretty much for ever.  It’s so good to know that they love me  for the really important things in life.

Picture 3 300x212 Will you be taking your clothes off in public this summer?

The Fitzgerald Clinic

Posted in cosmetic medicine, hair removal | Tagged , | 2 Comments

My mother used to say: “The Lord never closes one door but He shuts another”

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Dr Melissa Fitzgerald

This was her own version of a well known proverb; one that  gave voice to her   somewhat cynical and cup-half-empty attitude to life, which I am delighted to say I have not inherited. I suddenly found myself remembering this during a conversation with one of my female clients who was bemoaning the ghastly onset of facial hair. If we have been lucky enough to avoid it during our younger years, many women of a certain age are depressed to find that this is yet another blow to the ego that assaults us as we reach our 40s and 50s. The reduction in circulating oestrogens that accompanies the perimenopausal years means that the normally present male hormones (androgens)  are given free rein to rampage unopposed around our fabulous female bodies and wreak havoc in the form of bristles and whiskers.

I commiserated with my client and said, after quoting my mother, “How fortunate, therefore, that we start to go blind at 40 as well so we can’t actually  see the ravages of time on our bodies.” Oddly enough she didn’t seem to derive much comfort from this and replied with a hollow laugh,  “ This isn’t just a few hairs you know— if I don’t pluck or bleach  assiduously every day we’re talking Saddam Hussein here.”

Well I do like a challenge, but the hardest part was persuading her to leave the hairs in situ just long enough for me  (and my IPL machine) to be able to see them and blast them to frazzled perdition.  I even offered to let her come and see me every couple of days or so, so that the growth would never get excessive. However, it never actually  came to that because after just one treatment, the number and thickness of the hairs was so significantly reduced that she was happy enough to shave and use make-up between treatments , which are typically 4-5 weeks apart. After 6- 8 treatments with perhaps a top-up once or twice a year, she will be virtually hair free.

Hair on upper lip before and after IPL treament jpeg 300x142 My mother used to say: “The Lord never closes one door but He shuts another”

I know that there are many more troubled souls out there keeping this deep dark secret to themselves. They have been waging war on their upper lips and chins in the secrecy of their bathrooms for years and years and telling no one.

Let me deliver you from your chains, and let your hearts be uplifted because salvation is at hand!

Call me on 01822 617873.

The Fitzgerald Clinic

Posted in cosmetic medicine, hair removal | Tagged , | Leave a comment