Speech & Language Therapy
Hi, I'm Suzanne
I’ve been a speech and language therapist since 2007. I’ve worked with toddlers to teens in previous NHS roles, as well as in independent practice. I’ve also worked with adults with cochlear implants and spent 7 years as a teaching fellow at University College London, teaching students to become speech and language therapists.
I gained my professional qualification from the University of Reading in 2007, and completed a masters degree in advanced practice from University College London in 2015. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT), and I am a member of the Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP).
I believe that all children have the potential to learn, and that a child has the right to communicate in any means that is accessible to them. I believe that differences and neurodivergence should be embraced, and as such I do not work on social skills training, endorse ABA or PECS or encourage the masking of autistic features.
I'm a busy mum to two young daughters, so to balance work and home life I offer sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9.15am and 2.30pm at my clinic in Royston (evening teletherapy sessions may be possible).
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Services (Children)
If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication skills, please get in touch for an initial discussion to see how I can help. I can assess and support children where there are concerns about:
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Attention and listening skills
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Understanding spoken language and following instructions (comprehension)
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Learning words (vocabulary)
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Finding the right words to use
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Putting words together in sentences (grammar)
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Telling stories
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Interacting with other people*
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Participating in conversations*
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Phonological awareness (thinking about how sounds form words, which is an important skill for literacy)
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Speech production (using the right sounds in words)
* I aim to help children understand different styles of communication and advocate for their own needs.
Speech & Language Assessment
An initial assessment typically consists of a detailed case history, and play based assessments for younger children, or more formal paper based assessments for older children. Sometimes it is useful to observe children in their nursery or school environment, which will be discussed with you during the assessment process. You can receive a written report summarising the assessment findings, if requested.
Therapy
Depending on the outcome of the assessment, your child may or may not benefit from therapy. A therapy plan will be agreed with you, and education staff where appropriate. Together we will agree specific goals to be worked towards, and decide how often therapy should be carried out. Therapy can involve me working directly with your child, and/or working with you and other key people. It is important that you, as parents, and, where appropriate, other key people (e.g. education staff) are actively involved in planning and carrying out therapy plans, in order for your child to have the best chance of achieving their goals.
Additional services
Please enquire for more details about:
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Training for nursery and school staff.
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Training for other professionals, such as childminders, carers, health professionals.
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Buy in services for schools
Suzanne is such a helpful and friendly speech and language therapist. She's been so reassuring about my toddler's speech delay, and has given me lots of useful strategies to support his language development. I've also appreciated her honesty.
Suzanne has worked very closely with our son over the last six months. He has benefited tremendously from the sessions, going from a little boy with very limited language skills to a far more confident boy, able to speak well. We are delighted with the progress made.
Fantastic therapist! She managed to engage our son's interest even during the pandemic and teletherapy which is not an easy task. Lots of interesting activities and advice for us to do at home too. I would 100% recommend Suzanne! Thank you!
Price List
I offer a free 15 minute phone conversation to discuss your needs and how I can help
Assessment
Initial consultation option 1: £150 to include the following:
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Consultation preparation time (planning and making tasks and/or assessment materials)
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Up to 1 hour face to face consultation
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Analysis of case history questionnaire, observations and/or assessments
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Brief written summary stating attendance at appointment and short summary of findings
Initial consultation option 2: £400 to include the following:
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Consultation preparation time (planning and making tasks and/or assessment materials)
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Up to 90 minutes face to face consultation
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Analysis of case history questionnaire, observations and/or assessments
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Detailed written report of findings and recommendations for ongoing management if appropriate
Therapy
45 minute session: £75 at clinic (£85 + travel costs at alternative location e.g. school, home) to include the following:
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planning and making therapy materials (approx. 45 mins)
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30- 40 minutes face to face therapy (or teletherapy if appropriate)
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5-10 minutes discussion and feedback
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home activities where appropriate
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analysis of progress towards goals
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note writing (approx. 30 mins)
Hourly administrative rate: £90 (charged in 15 minute increments) to include the following:
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Liaison with other professionals
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Attendance at meetings
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Telephone calls
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Emails
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Letters
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Devising Programmes
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Report writing (a detailed report typically takes 2.5 hours)