The presenting problem

Vi has difficulty with regulating her emotions and expressing herself verbally. This leads to Vi
responding in physical outbursts instead.

She has difficulty identifying and articulating the triggers for her anger, often saying she "just
snaps" for no reason.

Vi finds it challenging to communicate her feelings and experiences, which have resulted in
Vi engaging in self-harm.
The history
 Vi's early developmental milestones were met, but her mother described her as "hard to
parent," indicating potential challenges in communication and understanding.

Throughout her schooling, Vi has struggled with following instructions, completing tasks, and
expressing herself academically, contributing to delays in literacy and maths.
How Vi presents in the room
 Vi demonstrates limited eye contact and avoids direct communication by hiding behind her
hood and hair.

She struggles to find the right words to express herself, often using nonspecific language and
gestures to support her communication.

Vi's affect appears anxious, and she finds it difficult to verbalize her mood or elaborate on
experiences, including traumatic ones.
How might SLC difficulties be impacting on Vi’s mental health and wellbeing
 Emotional Regulation: Difficulty expressing emotions and communicating needs can lead to
frustration and anxiety, contributing to Vi's frequent anger outbursts and self-harm.

Social Isolation: Challenges in connecting with peers due to communication difficulties may
result in feelings of loneliness and exclusion, exacerbating Vi's sense of unhappiness and
disengagement from school.

Academic Struggles: Poor communication skills can hinder Vi's ability to participate in class,
understand instructions, and complete tasks, further impacting her self-esteem and
academic performance.
How might a speech pathologist be helpful
 Assessment: A speech pathologist can conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify specific
areas of speech, language, and communication difficulties that Vi may be experiencing.

Intervention: Based on assessment findings, the speech pathologist can develop individualized
therapy goals and strategies to improve Vi's communication skills, including expressive and
receptive language, social communication, and emotional regulation.