Thanks for visiting our Adult’s FAQ page. Please click on a question from the list below to be taken to the answer for that specific question.
how much does it cost to be treated by a magic words therapist?
Our fees for therapy vary depending on the level of therapist who sees you and the level of complexity of your needs.
What is the difference between speech and language?
When we talk about ‘speech’ we mean how clearly and easily a person uses speech sounds in their talking. Adults who have had strokes, have Parkinson’s or who have had a brain injury caused by an accident often have slurred speech. This is known as ‘dysarthria’ and can be treated be a speech and language therapist.
When anyone has speech difficulties, whatever their age or the reason why, they are often hard for the people around them to understand. This can become incredibly frustrating, upsetting and isolating for the person with speech difficulties, as they are unable to clearly convey their needs, wants and ideas.
When we talk about ‘language’ we mean the words that a person is able to use and understand, as opposed to individual sounds.
Both children and adults can have trouble understanding and using language for countless different reasons including specific language difficulties, specific and general learning difficulties, brain injury, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) & Stroke. Language difficulties can act as a huge barrier to lots of things most people take for granted such as communication with others, the quality of friendships and family relationships, the ability to make friendships and relationships in the first place, the ability to access learning and enjoyable activities like reading and watching films and for adults it can really affect their ability to do well in a career.
Do you have a waiting list?
At Magic Words we are committed to being able to offer appointments to children and adults who need speech and language therapy within a week or two of when they first make contact with us. We don’t want to keep anybody waiting. Early intervention has been clinically proven to significantly affect how good the outcome is when treating speech, language and communication difficulties both in children and adults.
We do occasionally become inundated with new referrals and a small waiting list ends up needing to be created. If this does happen we do everything we can and pull out all the stops to get people seen. We make sure that anyone who is on a waiting list gets regular, clear, honest communication as to where they are on the list and when they will be seen.
will i be able to pay through my health insurance?
Yes, many of our therapists are registered with multiple private healthcare insurance providers. Just ask our referral team about whether we can work under the insurance cover you have. If you have a provider that we are not registered with, we will endeavour to register with them so that we can work with you.
what if i need to cancel an arranged session?
We completely understand that unforeseen things can crop up that might prevent a client from being able to attend their appointment. However, we also need to function as a business so we can continue to run and pay our therapists to carry on providing such a vital and life-changing service for thousands of clients and their families. For this reason, we have a strict 72-hour cancellation policy, except in exceptional circumstances. If cancellations are made within 72 hours of the appointment the session will still be charged for in full.
are your therapists fully qualified?
Yes, all our therapists have either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a fully recognised university in speech and language therapy. We are also all fully registered with the HCPC (Health Care Professionals Council) and the RCSLT (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists). In order to practice as a speech and language therapist in the UK these registrations are an essential requirement. Many of our therapists are also members of ASLTIP (Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice). As an organisation we take our memberships with our professional bodies very seriously. To continue to be eligible for membership there are certain fulfillments that are required of us as healthcare professionals. For example, we have to complete a set amount of hours of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) each year. This means we have to continue to learn and develop our clinical and professional skills and knowledge year on year.
Will the therapist talk to other professionals involved with my care?
As long as you have given your full permission for us to contact other professionals, then yes. In order to provide the most comprehensive, holistic and appropriate treatment for each client, we need as full a picture as possible from all the different professionals who may be involved with the client’s care. This can include GPs, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists or any other professionals involved.
What areas do you cover?
We are able to see clients who live or go to school in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, parts of Essex and North and West London. We have clinics in Milton Keynes, St Albans, Islington, Cambridge and Northampton.
We are always expanding so if you are not sure whether we operate in your area just get in touch.
