Question 1

Who do you specialise in supporting?

Accepted Answer

People with learning disabilities and autism, AAC users and people with complex communication needs — with a particular interest in adults — plus the families, staff and services around them. I also support children and young people where learning disability, autism, AAC or complex communication is involved.

Question 2

My family member doesn't use speech. Can you still assess them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everyone communicates. Assessment looks at all the ways a person communicates — gesture, sounds, body language, behaviour, signs, symbols and AAC — not only speech.

Question 3

Do you work with adults with severe or profound learning disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is a core part of my work. Assessment is adapted to the person and usually involves observation in familiar settings and talking with the people who know them best.

Question 4

Do you support autistic people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. My approach is neurodiversity-informed: the aim is to understand and support the person's own way of communicating, not to make them communicate like everyone else.

Question 5

Do you work with behaviours of distress or communication-related dysregulation?

Accepted Answer

Distress can often be linked to communication. I can look at the communication side of what's happening and work alongside the wider team, including behaviour support professionals where involved.

Question 6

Do I need a diagnosis before contacting you?

Accepted Answer

No. You're welcome to get in touch whether or not there is a formal diagnosis.

Question 7

Can you work with existing PECS, Makaton or AAC systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I'm happy to build on what's already in place, review whether it's still the right fit, and help the people around the person use it more consistently.

Question 8

What is AAC?

Accepted Answer

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication — any way of communicating that adds to or replaces speech, such as signs, symbols, communication books or speech-generating devices. AAC isn't a last resort; it can support communication at any stage.

Question 9

What if AAC was recommended previously but isn't currently being used?

Accepted Answer

This is really common. I can look at why it isn't being used, whether the system still fits, and what the people around the person need to make it part of everyday life.

Question 10

Can you liaise with school, college, carers or other professionals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Working with the people around the person is central to how I work, with appropriate consent.

Question 11

Can you review an EHCP, care plan or existing SLT report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can review existing documents and recommendations and advise on practical next steps.

Question 12

Do you provide ongoing weekly therapy?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, where it's genuinely useful. Many people benefit more from a focused assessment, a short block of input, coaching for family or staff, environmental changes or a review. I'll recommend the level of input that makes sense.

Question 13

Can sessions take place at home or in the community?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where appropriate. Seeing communication in familiar places often gives the clearest picture. In-person appointments are available in London and surrounding areas, with other locations considered by arrangement.

Question 14

What happens during the first appointment?

Accepted Answer

There's no expectation that the person sits at a table or completes formal tasks. I may observe natural communication, talk with family, carers or staff, join familiar activities, review existing AAC or reports, use structured or informal assessment, trial strategies and identify practical next steps. Assessment might look like conversation, play, observation, shared activity, community practice or structured tasks — whatever gives the clearest and most respectful picture.

Question 15

What happens after an assessment?

Accepted Answer

You'll get clear, practical recommendations and agreed next steps. That might be a short block of input, coaching, training for the team, a review date — or simply a written summary if that's what's useful.

Question 16

What information should I send before the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Anything that helps me understand the person: previous SLT reports, EHCPs or care plans, details of any AAC or communication systems, and what matters most to the person and the people around them.

Question 17

Can you train a whole staff team?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Training is shaped around your team, the people you support and your priorities, and can be delivered in person or online.

Question 18

Can you help our service become more communication accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes — through communication-access reviews, audits, staff training, visual supports and service development. See the organisations page for more.

Question 19

Do you create Easy Read and accessible communication materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can create or review Easy Read and accessible information, ideally checked with the people who will use it.

Question 20

Do you offer online sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Online consultancy and training are available UK-wide, and some assessment and coaching can be done online too.

Question 21

How do fees work for individuals?

Accepted Answer

Fees vary depending on the assessment or intervention needed. Full costs are agreed before anything is booked, with no unexpected charges. Any travel or time costs for in-person work are agreed in advance.

Question 22

How do organisational consultancy fees work?

Accepted Answer

Training, audits and consultancy are quoted according to scope after an initial conversation, so you'll know the cost before work begins.

Question 23

Do you support eating, drinking and swallowing?

Accepted Answer

I can provide adult eating, drinking and swallowing input where clinically appropriate. SheSpeaksSLT is not an emergency service — for choking, breathing difficulty or acute medical concerns, call 999 or seek urgent NHS medical help.

Question 24

Is the discovery call really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It's a short, no-pressure conversation to understand the person's needs, answer initial questions and decide together whether SheSpeaksSLT is the right service.

Question 25

Are you HCPC registered and an RCSLT member?

Accepted Answer

Yes — HCPC Registered, RCSLT Member, ICO Registered and fully insured. Documentation is available on request.

Questions, gently answered.

Looking for support for a person?