About Me
Learn how my passion for speech therapy evolved
Discovering my passion
I started my career at the University of Robert Gordon in Aberdeen.
After graduating, I worked at the Raeden preschool Child Development and Assessment Centre which served the N.E of Scotland, providing assessment and treatment for neurodevelopmental disorders and complex communication difficulties within the range of 18 months to preschool. It was there I developed my interest in feeding as laying the foundation to oral skills for speech development and undertook my first course on 'feeding the child' with cerebral palsy at Cheyene Walk in London.
Enhancing my skills
Two years later I moved to the London area of Kingston where I worked with children who had neuro developmental disorders from preschool upwards at Bedelsford School for children with physical disabilities. This Included the treatment of children with complex communication disorders such as dyspraxia and dysphasia as well as feeding therapy.
During my time in the London area, I was able to grow my skills enormously by attending the latest seminars and collaborating with leading paediatric hospitals such as Great Ormond Street and Guys to further develop skills into assessment and treatment of younger children and babies with complex structural difficulties.
I also trained in Makaton sign system, Paget Gorman sign system, Bliss visual systems to support nonverbal communication.
My Journey in the Public Health Service
From 1991 until 2021, I worked for the public health service in Jersey and more recently started my private practice.
During my years in the public service on island, I have continued to increase my range of treatments to help with oral speech, language and feeding difficulties.
I worked within the child development team assessing and treating Neurodevelopmental disorders across a range of conditions from birth including advice to parents from premature babies through to reception age and established a feeding assessment and treatment service to the special care baby unit.
Empowering Parents
I co- wrote the ‘Language for Life‘ program and delivered this to nursery and reception practitioners throughout the island over several years. Presenting the impact of this training on educational settings at the ‘Talk to your Baby’, conference in London in 2015. Latterly I worked in collaboration with The Early years Educational Intervention team to develop the language section for an integrated developmental course for nursery practitioners working in the 0-2 year group.
I have introducing a range of different therapeutic methods not previously practised in Jersey. Eg the Nuffield dyspraxia program, PROMPT system, communication through song, a range of group therapies for early years, and several different parent workshop trainings to help parents support their children with speech and language development, at home.
Ready to make an enquiry?
If you are unsure about what speech therapy might mean for your child, please get in touch to arrange a free consultation.
Contact me