How can I access Speech and Language Therapy as a young adult?

This article is aimed at young people (aged 18 - 25) who are seeking information about available speech and language therapy services once they reach 18. 

There are several different routes through which you can access Speech and Language Therapy after your eighteenth birthday. Finding out about the options available to you can be a source of confusion and uncertainty. 

Many children's speech and language therapy services will accept referrals for young people up to the age of eighteen, at which point you are usually transferred to adult services. However, some services have different referral criteria - get in touch with us directly if you are unsure whether you are able to access your local service.

The two main routes through which you can access Speech and Language Therapy are by making a referral to:

• Your local NHS Speech and Language Therapy service;
• An Independent Speech and Language Therapy service (sometimes referred to as private therapy).

We can help you to find out where your local NHS Speech and Language Therapy service is based, and whether or not they offer a service for adults. If they do have a service for adults, and demand for support from this service is high, there may be a long-waiting list.

Should you wish to access Speech and Language Therapy more quickly, another option is to contact an Independent (Private) Therapist who specialises in stammering. Usually, you will need to be in a position to self-fund these sessions. 

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides information and guidance to help you search for an Independent Speech and Language Therapist. You can search for a therapist based locally or who specialises in stammering. Many independent therapists also offer online therapy sessions. 

All speech and language therapists (whether they work in the NHS or independently) must be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). You can find out more information about things to check when considering non-NHS services with the professional body, the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.  

Other routes to consider

The following organisations offer speech and language therapy for adults:

• The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering, a specialist centre run by Whittington Health NHS Trust and supported by ASC, Whittington Health Charity and the Stuttering Foundation of America. You can find out more here.
• City Lit in London offer group therapy courses for adults

Related articles:

• What support does ASC offer 18 - 25 year olds