Professional qualifications accreditations and memberships

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Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (MRCSLT)

Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Bachelor of Speech Sciences (Hons - UCL)

Post Graduate Certificate in Child Focussed Systemic Practice (IFT)

Accredited Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) Practitioner & Member of the Association of Video Interaction Guidance UK (AVIGuk).

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My professional experience

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I am a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with over 27 years experience working in the NHS in a wide range of settings. I have a longstanding special interest in the relationship between child and adolescent mental health, speech language and communication disorders and other neurodevelopmental conditions. I have a special interest and clinical expertise in working with children who have Selective Mutism and supporting children, parents and schools in the management of this.

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I currently work in an NHS team specialising in the diagnostic assessment of children and young people with possible Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs). Prior to this I worked for over 18 years (2003-2022) in a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) as a SLT and a CAMHS Practitioner where I developed extensive experience and skills working with children, young people and families referred with a wide range of mental health conditions, co-occurring speech, language and communication disorders and other neurodevelopmental conditions including ASCs and ADHD. My role in CAMHS involved carrying out detailed assessments of the child’s speech, language, and communication skills contributing to the differential diagnosis as part of the multi-disciplinary team, supporting understanding of a child’s communication strengths and needs and aiding treatment planning. I also carried out Autism assessments alongside other team members and provided post diagnosis support to children and families. I am trained in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

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I have a particular interest in supporting parents and as part of my CAMHS practitioner role I completed several specialist trainings in interventions to support parents in their understanding and management of children’s emotions and behaviours, including The Incredible Years Webster Stratton Parent Programme, the Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Parenting Approach and Video Interaction Guidance (VIG). I have 16 years experience in running group parenting interventions.

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My approach

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I am committed to best practice and work collaboratively and flexibly with children, young people and families supporting them to identify their goals, strengths and needs. My practice is child focussed ensuring the child’s voice is at the centre of the intervention.

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I provide specialist speech, language, and communication assessments to support understanding of a child’s communication strengths and needs. This involves meeting the child and parent and linking with the school. I support children and young people to understand their communication strengths and needs, and work collaboratively with them, parents and school to identify relevant and useful strategies.

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