Paying attention or listening to what you say?
Find it difficult to play with toys?
Find interacting with people tricky?
Have problems understanding what is said to them?
Find it hard to say words in a sentence?
Can say words but people find it difficult to understand what they say?
I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in February 2000, after completing my BSC (Hons) in Human Communication (Speech and Language Therapy) at De Montfort University. I worked for the NHS for 19 years and have helped many children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs over the years. I have a genuine interest in helping children to reach their potential. I am friendly, approachable and knowledgeable. I combine working independently with raising my own family.
As a specialist speech and language therapist, my expertise is in working with pre-school children – with any difficulty. For many years, I worked in local Sure Start Programmes to support families and staff to improve outcomes for children from a diverse range of backgrounds. I have a strong interest and knowledge base in supporting young children with Speech Sound Disorder (SSD), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and receptive and/or expressive language delay.
I work with children with complex needs – both physical and learning difficulties and social communication disorder, such as Autism. I am skilled at developing specialist resources when children are finding communication difficult, such as PECS, visual timetables, now…next and communication boards/books. I am an accredited level 2 practitioner for Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT). This is an evidence based, intensive therapy programme for children with Autism and social communication difficulties.
I offer a short waiting time for assessment and therapy. Therapy sessions are personalised for your child and delivered at home or in their educational setting. I am passionate about working with children but also believe it is necessary to work closely with parents and pre-school settings to enable the adults in a child’s life to understand the best ways to support a child and enable more rapid progress.
I offer training and support to pre-school settings. I deliver dynamic, interesting and relevant training sessions to parents and professionals.
I am a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. I am HCPC registered. I am a member of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP).
I have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
I am registered with the Independent Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and adhere to strict guidelines to protect client data.
PACT has been invaluable for our family. It has opened up the importance of getting to know A’s needs on her terms. Although we are a close family and good at responding to her needs, this intervention has enabled us to see the subtle ways that A interacts. A is doing amazingly, since beginning this intervention she has been directing her speech, making requests (not just labelling) and directly interacting with us and others.
Parent
My daughter has loved her time with you and you’ve built a rapport with her that very few people manage to do. (She) has always been very enthusiastic and excited to see you so she will truly miss your sessions.
Parent
I was really fortunate to get to know Karen when working in a children’s centre. Karen offered me invaluable support and ideas for the children attending groups. I worked closely with Karen supporting children with complex medical needs, the parents spoke so highly of Karen and felt reassured that progress would be made with her support.
Early Years Teacher
I have worked with Karen since 2014 and she really is a marvellous speech and language therapist. She always finds solutions to tricky problems and provides honest evidence-based advice that she tailors to the children perfectly. Families also think very highly of her.
Health Visitor
My family have known this remarkable lady since our youngest was about 4. He’s 11 now!! Karen was supportive, approachable, patient, professional, caring and had the biggest smile. We’re very grateful for her input over the years. We highly recommend Karen. You will be in safe hands!!
Parent
I have worked with Karen for nearly 5 years both on a personal and professional level. She is absolutely fabulous at what she does. She always finds a way to work with children and families as individuals, really getting to know them and tailoring activities around this. I would never go anywhere else for support. I would highly recommend Karen and her services!
Nursery SENCo