The work of the Speech Therapy and Music Therapy Departments of Ida Darwin Hospital is briefly described, and the links and differences between these departments and some of the paramedical professions are examined. Techniques used by the speech therapist and the music therapist to help develop communication and speech are described, in the categories: prelinguistic skills; vocalisation; and articulation and intonation. Several techniques are described in each category and a few specific examples are given.