Speech: Assessment and Therapy in Practice
About this course
We look at how to move beyond traditional and eclectic approaches often found in UK clinical practice (McCurtin & Roddam, 2012) to using effective interventions that are linked to each speech diagnosis. These are illustrated using case studies and transcription data sets.
We explore how to identify and then apply treatment for children with speech disorders.
This is an ideal starting point if you are keen to get a broad overview of assessment – with an emphasis on the practicalities of therapy. This course provides an excellent foundation to the subject. Many candidates attending this course progress their interest in specific approaches and interventions introduced on this course, by booking to attend other courses in our SSD range
Course Times
The course duration is 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (UK Time) – for a list of course dates and times please go to the Booking page
Course pricing
| Book and pay online | Organisational payment | Student / Returner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Price Per Person (before 1st April 2026) | £132 | £154 | £77 |
| Course Price Per Person (after 1st April 2026) | £145.20 | £169.40 | £84.70 |
Please book your place here or alternatively, you can contact us if you are you would like to:
- Book four or more courses (we can offer you a discount)
- Make a block booking for a group
- Book a closed course
Course presenter
Dr Sean Pert
Speech and Language Therapist and Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Manchester.
Dr Sean Pert is a Speech and Language Therapist with more than 25 years of experience in the NHS, Higher Education and charity sector. Dr Pert is also the Lead Consultant for Indigo Gender Service, Greater Manchester and is the Chair of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
He teaches a range of subjects at the University of Manchester. These include Clinical Phonetics (IPA Clinical Transcription), Speech Sound Disorder (Analysis & Intervention), Bilingualism and Voice and Communication Therapy for trans and gender-diverse individuals.
Dr Sean Pert has won the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ Sternberg Award for Clinical Innovation on an unprecedented three occasions. His online teaching methods were recognised with the Pandemic Pedagogy Teaching Award. Dr Pert has also been nominated for his students’ Most Inspiring Lecturer.
Click here to find out more about Dr Pert’s professional interests and activities.
Course topics
During this course, we cover:
- How the Dodd classification of speech disorders as an evidence-based categorisation system enables therapists to make links between underlying causes, diagnosis, and intervention
- Devising therapy aims and implementing therapy
- The use of sensitive probes to evaluate outcomes
- Treatment intensity (dosage) and the role of education staff and parent(s)/carers
Course resources
POMP – Pert’s Optimal Minimal Pairs
This resource may be of interest
Pert’s Optimal Minimal Pairs (POMP) by Dr Sean Pert ©2024 is a resource for s-cluster production enabling both the assessment and treatment of s-cluster reduction in children with Speech Sound Disorder. There are resources for /s/ + plosive di-clusters with illustrations and word lists for /s/ + plosive + /ɹ/ tri-clusters with minimal pairs.
Written English uses the graphemes ‘sp’, ‘st’ and sk’ which has misled people to believe that the vocalisation of these s-clusters is voiceless before the vowel. However, when the s-cluster is pre-vocalic (before the vowel), it is actually voiced. This resource takes account of the fact that S-cluster reduction results in a word starting with a voiced plosive. If the clinician is expecting to hear a voiceless plosive, then the clinician may incorrectly attribute the realisation to the phonological process of Context Sensitive Voicing, in addition to cluster reduction. This resource with accompanying guidelines supports s-cluster reduction therapy using minimal pairs which have voiced plosive minimal pair sets for more natural realisations, such as ‘stamp’ versus ‘damp’, / sdæmp / versus / dæmp /.
The resource consists of:
- Instruction manual with record forms
- Care plan guides – long-term, short term and sessional
- Therapy task instructions
- Therapy task recording forms
- Minimal pair set illustrations:
- Set 1 sp-words sb versus b-WI
- Set 2 st-words sd- versus d-WI
- Set 3 sk-words sg- versus g-WI
- Set 4 spr- words sbr- versus br-WI
- Set 5 str- words sdr- versus dr-WI
- Set 6 skr- words sgr- versus gr-WI
- Shopping list game WI word sets:
- Set 1 sp-words
- Set 2 st-words
- Set 3 sk-words
- Set 4 spr- words
- Set 5 str- words
- Set 6 skr- words
Delegates attending training delivered by Dr Sean Pert receive view-only access to POMP as part of their course booking and can, should they wish, purchase the licensed (downloadable, printable) version should they wish.
Anyone with an interest in viewing the resource can request view-only access.
Please note: This resource can be purchased through Course Beetle as an individual order here.
Individual licence: £60, Organisational licence: £180
You can request FREE 1 week access to the resources on a view-only basis if you are considering purchasing POMP.
Once purchased the resource is yours to keep.
RADiSSD: Dosage informational video
This resource may be of interest
This informational video presents the evidence base. We do not offer specific training on this topic, but dosage themes are included in SSD training delivered by Dr Jill Titterington. Dr Jan Broomfield Dr Pam Williams and Dr Sean Pert
RADiSSD Information on dosage in SSD
This is a FREE resource – please help the RADiSSD group by encouraging colleagues to view and discuss the contents.
Feedback and/or questions are welcome.
Who this course is suitable for
This course is suitable for: Returners to Speech and Language Therapy, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), Speech and Language Therapy Students
Booking information
This course is presented Virtual Live – Online over Zoom
This course is available on various dates throughout the year. To view available course dates and book your place click here.
During the booking process, you can select to reserve a place instead (while you confirm you can attend or to organise payment through your employer for example). We can hold your place for up to four weeks, if we have not heard from you after this time, we may need to cancel your reservation so other people can attend the training.
Course Beetle is an approved supplier for NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Schools.
Course testimonials
“I would give the course experience 10/10. I was comfortable and engaged throughout. Additionally, the content was pitched perfectly for my level of experience. I will certainly be making use of what I learned today!”
“Really enjoyed Dr Pert’s presentation style – clear, accessible, and enjoyable.”
“I liked everything about this course! The day was very informative and clearly presented. There was plenty of opportunity to ask questions and detailed answers were given. It was great to have the slides/handouts etc. before the training started in order to make the best notes and use of them. It has challenged the way I practice and encouraged me to make changes to the way I assess/diagnose and provide therapy for the children I work with. I will also be passing on information to my therapy team so that we are all more detailed in the assessment we do/more specific in our diagnoses and focusing on effective therapy for particular difficulties.”