Mable Therapy, a platform that has helped thousands of the UK’s children with their communication and mental health, has introduced the Mable Early Language and Communication Screener (MELCS), a tool designed to help UK schools identify young children at risk of Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN). The tool is intended for reception-aged children (4-5 years old) and assesses key language development skills such as phonological processing, memory, and grammar comprehension.
MELCS evaluates children using tasks like non-word repetition and sentence repetition and provides educators with a detailed overview of each child’s language capabilities. The platform offers a consistent, automated assessment process that eliminates bias and reduces variability caused by differing opinions of assessors.
Speaking about the platform, Martha Currie, Clinical Director and Co-founder of Mable Therapy, said:
Language skills change how a child experiences not only school but their entire life. It influences academic attainment, social connection, and personal confidence, yet research suggests that many children struggle with communication skills. Schools are ideally placed to identify children who may require additional SLCN support, but they need more tools to do this consistently. MELCS has been designed to address that problem.
Currie described MELCS as Mable Therapy’s most ambitious project to date.
Currie added:
MELCS is by far the most ambitious project we have embarked upon at Mable, but we are confident that it will make SLCN screening simpler, more efficient, and more effective for schools and help many more children overcome their difficulties and reach their full potential.
The tool’s interface simplifies the screening process for teachers, allowing them to identify students needing additional support without diverting attention from classroom management. MELCS also recommends next steps, such as teacher-led interventions or referrals for further therapy.
The Kemnals Academy Trust (TKAT) tested the screener and is rolling it out throughout its 29 primary schools in London, the South and East of England.
Gianni Bianchi, TKAT Director of Primary Education, stated:
It has been favourable to work with Mable Therapy on piloting this scheme, and we are now implementing it in all 29 of our primary schools across London and the South and East of England. It’s great to have an efficient and effective speech and language screener that produces succinct reports for our school teams to use with children to help them progress.
Since 2015, Mable has been at the forefront of delivering speech therapy and counselling for children and young people across the UK. Its specialists are experts in getting the best outcomes for children and young people so they can meet their potential. The company believes no child deserves to be left behind because of waiting lists or lack of specialist help. It aims to remove these barriers so children can get the support they need when needed. The platform offers a new approach to children’s speech and language therapy. Every aspect of its portal is tailored to enhance and motivate young learners and accelerate their progress.
