Speech and Language Therapist

A multidisciplinary pediatric rehabilitation center in Abu Dhabi is seeking a qualified and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist to support children with developmental, neurological, and neurodevelopmental conditions. The role focuses on delivering individualized, evidence-based speech and language therapy services that improve children’s communication, functional participation, independence, and quality of life across home, educational, and community environments.

Speech and Language Therapist / Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates /Full-time | Hybrid

Specialization: Pediatric Rehabilitation | Speech and Language Therapy | AAC | Feeding and Swallowing

The Speech and Language Therapist will work with children presenting with a range of complex needs, including cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other pediatric conditions. Clinical responsibilities may include speech and language assessment, communication intervention, feeding and swallowing management, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), assistive communication technology, and caregiver education, based on each child’s individual needs and the therapist’s professional scope of practice.

The successful candidate will collaborate with families, caregivers, educators, physicians, and a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team to develop coordinated care plans and promote consistent therapeutic strategies across the child’s daily environments. Services must be delivered in accordance with applicable Department of Health (DOH) requirements, organizational policies, professional standards, and the therapist’s approved scope of practice.

Job Responsibilities

Pediatric Speech, Language, and Communication Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive, age-appropriate assessments of speech, language, communication, feeding, and swallowing for children with developmental, neurological, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Assess children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, developmental delay, and other pediatric diagnoses according to clinical competency and referral requirements.
• Use standardized assessment tools, clinical observation, play-based assessment, caregiver and educator interviews, and functional communication measures to identify the child’s strengths, challenges, and therapeutic needs.
• Evaluate receptive and expressive language, speech sound production, social communication, fluency, voice, and cognitive-communication skills where clinically appropriate.
• Assess functional communication abilities using appropriate pediatric assessment tools, including the Communication Matrix and other validated measures relevant to the child’s developmental level.
• Identify communication barriers that affect learning, social participation, independence, and daily activities.
• Complete clinical assessments and document findings accurately to support individualized treatment planning and multidisciplinary decision-making.

Individualized Therapy and Clinical Intervention

• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans with measurable and functionally relevant goals.
• Deliver speech and language therapy interventions that support communication, learning, participation, independence, and quality of life.
• Provide intervention for speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language difficulties, social communication challenges, fluency, and voice disorders within professional competency.
• Address cognitive-communication and oral-motor needs when clinically indicated and within the therapist’s scope of practice.
• Provide appropriate feeding and swallowing assessment and intervention based on clinical training, competency, and applicable professional requirements.
• Adapt therapeutic activities to the child’s age, developmental stage, communication abilities, sensory needs, motor skills, and individual learning preferences.
• Use play-based, functional, and child-centered therapy approaches to encourage engagement and support the achievement of clinical goals.
• Monitor the effectiveness of interventions and modify treatment plans according to assessment findings, clinical progress, family feedback, and multidisciplinary recommendations.
• Promote functional communication skills that can be applied in the child’s home, school, and community environments.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Assess children’s need for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems when speech or natural communication does not adequately meet their functional communication needs.
• Recommend appropriate low-tech and high-tech AAC solutions based on the child’s communication abilities, motor skills, visual access, cognitive profile, and environmental requirements.
• Support the assessment and trial of AAC access methods, including direct access, switches, and eye-gaze technology, in collaboration with Occupational Therapy and the multidisciplinary team.
• Evaluate the functional suitability of communication boards, visual supports, speech-generating devices, and other assistive communication technologies.
• Train caregivers, educators, and relevant professionals in the consistent use of AAC systems and communication strategies.
• Review AAC implementation and make recommendations for adjustments based on the child’s progress, communication needs, and feedback from caregivers and educators.
• Support communication partners in creating inclusive environments where children can express their needs, preferences, choices, and feelings.

Feeding and Swallowing Management

• Assess and support pediatric feeding and swallowing needs within professional scope, training, and clinical competency.
• Identify relevant feeding and swallowing concerns and recommend appropriate assessment, intervention, or referral.
• Collaborate with physicians, dietitians, Occupational Therapists, and other healthcare professionals when managing children with complex feeding or swallowing needs.
• Provide caregivers with appropriate guidance on feeding strategies, positioning, communication during meals, and safe implementation of recommended therapeutic approaches.
• Monitor feeding-related progress and document clinical observations, recommendations, and outcomes.
• Escalate concerns requiring additional medical investigation or specialist intervention in accordance with organizational procedures.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Work closely with physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, educators, inclusion teams, and other relevant professionals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary assessments, case conferences, care planning, progress reviews, and discharge or transition planning.
• Contribute to collaborative goal setting and develop coordinated intervention strategies for children with complex developmental and rehabilitation needs.
• Share relevant clinical findings and recommendations with team members while maintaining patient confidentiality and appropriate information-sharing procedures.
• Coordinate therapeutic strategies across disciplines to support the child’s functional development and participation.
• Refer children to appropriate professionals when additional assessment or specialized intervention is indicated.

Educational and Functional Environment Support

• Observe children in educational or functional environments, where appropriate and with the necessary permissions, to identify barriers to communication, learning, and participation.
• Collaborate with teachers, educators, inclusion teams, and learning support staff to integrate communication strategies into the child’s daily routines.
• Recommend practical communication supports, environmental modifications, and classroom strategies that promote participation and accessibility.
• Provide guidance on communication-friendly learning environments and strategies that support children with additional communication needs.
• Help educators and caregivers implement consistent therapeutic recommendations across home, school, and community settings.
• Support the development of functional communication plans that reflect the child’s individual needs and educational objectives.

Family-Centered Care and Caregiver Education

• Involve parents and caregivers in assessment, goal setting, treatment planning, and ongoing review of therapeutic outcomes.
• Develop practical home programs to support communication, language development, AAC use, and other relevant therapy goals.
• Provide caregiver education on communication strategies and appropriate carry-over of therapeutic activities into daily routines.
• Conduct training sessions for parents, caregivers, educators, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Explain assessment findings, intervention approaches, progress, and recommendations in a clear and accessible manner.
• Encourage family participation in decision-making and ensure that therapeutic goals reflect the child’s needs, family priorities, and daily functional requirements.
• Promote continuity of care by supporting the consistent use of recommended strategies across the child’s environments.

Documentation, Clinical Governance, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation, including assessment reports, treatment notes, progress updates, communication records, cancellations, and discharge documentation.
• Record clinical findings, treatment outcomes, recommendations, and relevant communication in accordance with organizational policies and professional requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable documentation, consent, and information-handling procedures.
• Deliver services in accordance with Department of Health (DOH) requirements, organizational policies, and professional scope of practice.
• Identify developmental, safeguarding, and clinical concerns and escalate or refer them through the appropriate organizational procedures.
• Participate in clinical audits, service improvement initiatives, and quality-related activities when required.
• Follow established clinical safety procedures and maintain professional boundaries in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.

Progress Monitoring and Discharge Planning

• Monitor children’s progress using appropriate pediatric outcome measures, functional communication assessments, and clinical observations.
• Review treatment goals regularly and update intervention plans based on progress, assessment findings, and family feedback.
• Participate in progress reviews and communicate relevant updates to caregivers and the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to discharge planning, transition planning, and recommendations for ongoing support when therapy goals or service requirements change.
• Prepare appropriate clinical reports and recommendations to support continuity of care across relevant services and environments.
• Identify when reassessment, referral, or changes in intervention intensity may be required.

Community Outreach and Professional Development

• Support educational and community outreach activities related to pediatric speech, language, communication, feeding, and swallowing needs.
• Participate in school fairs, awareness campaigns, community events, and family education initiatives to promote early identification of communication difficulties.
• Provide information to families, educators, and other stakeholders about access to Speech and Language Therapy services and appropriate support strategies.
• Apply evidence-based practice and current research to clinical decision-making.
• Maintain and develop professional competency in pediatric rehabilitation, AAC, feeding and swallowing management, and other relevant clinical areas.
• Participate in continuing professional development, training, and knowledge-sharing activities to support high-quality clinical practice.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or an equivalent recognized professional qualification.
• Relevant clinical experience in pediatric Speech and Language Therapy, preferably within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation, pediatric therapy, healthcare, or educational setting.
• Professional eligibility, licensing, or registration requirements applicable to Speech and Language Therapy practice in Abu Dhabi, including relevant Department of Health (DOH) requirements.
• Experience assessing and supporting children with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, ADHD, or other pediatric developmental and neurological conditions is advantageous.
• Knowledge of pediatric speech, language, communication, feeding, and swallowing assessment and intervention.
• Familiarity with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and assistive communication technology is desirable.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment plans with measurable functional goals.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, caregivers, educators, and other healthcare professionals.
• Strong clinical documentation, communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, family-centered care, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a pediatric rehabilitation environment and adapt therapeutic strategies to individual children’s needs.

Specific licensing, experience, and qualification requirements should be verified against the employer’s vacancy criteria and applicable DOH professional licensing standards.

Key Skills

• Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy
• Speech and Language Assessment
• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Delay
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Feeding and Swallowing Management
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
• Family-Centered Care
• Clinical Documentation
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Caregiver and Educator Training
• Department of Health (DOH) Compliance

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