Background: I have over 14 years’ experience as a paediatric Speech and Language Therapist. During this time I have worked predominately within mainstream school, and also specialist provisions. My work in schools has been a corner stone of my career and my roles has involved assessment, language programmes and interventions, Education and Health Care Plan applications, and advising on environment adjustments and strategies. My assessment work in schools has enabled me to be part of the process of carrying out diagnostic work and being part of creating a better understanding of a child’s strengths and needs so that they can be appropriately supported in school. My assessment, diagnostic and intervention work has included children with a range of difficulties, such as autism, developmental language disorder (DLD), speech disorder and global learning difficulties.

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More recently I have worked in 2 Autism diagnostic services in London as part of a multi-disciplinary team. I have relished learning from the young people that I have met about how they experience Autism and neurodiversity. This learning continues to shape my diagnostic work as well as my ability to advocate for the children and young people that I work with.