About Me

I’m Shona and I have been working as a speech and language therapist for children and young people since 2005. I’ve built up a wealth of experience working within the NHS, the charity sector, and more recently in the private sector. I support preschool, primary, and secondary aged children and young people with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

I’m now working independently in order to be able to offer the families and settings I work with a truly individualised speech and language therapy package of support that suits both need and budget. Many families I work with are looking for support while they wait for their NHS service to begin, and part of my assessment will always include sharing realistic strategies and recommendations that can be implemented straightaway.

I believe in a neurodiversity affirming approach as well as ensuring sessions are fun, engaging, and relevant to your child’s interests and support needs. Therapy can be provided at home or at school or nursery. I also offer training and support packages to schools and settings.

I have experience and training in supporting the following speech, language and communication needs:

  • Speech sound delays and disorders, including Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Autism spectrum
  • Developmental Language Disorder
  • Early childhood language development
  • Selective mutism
  • Social and emotional support needs

shona@sparkspeechandlanguage.co.uk

I can also offer supervision to speech and language therapy colleagues, as well as training and support to education staff working with pupils with speech, language and communication needs.

Testimonials

“Spark is run by a super friendly and professional speech and language therapist. She listened to all my concerns around my child’s suspected selective mutism and put a plan in place. She put us all at ease and my child absolutely loves meeting with her. My child is now talking at school and we feel that we would not have been where we are without her initial recommendations. Thanks Spark!” – Parent

When we realised our son needed a little help with his speech Shona provided us with such wonderful support. She quickly identified the areas for development and gave us some really practical and fun exercises to do with him. She also prepared a really comprehensive plan for his key worker at nursery who, with Shona’s guidance, was able to really support his specific requirements. The improvement, within a relatively short period of time, was incredible, so much so he sang a solo at his nursery graduation which was such a special moment for my husband and I, as well as his key worker who had supported us on this journey. – Parent

We can’t recommend and thank Shona enough. We worked with Shona as, like many covid babies, our son was showing signs of speech and language delay. Shona’s warmth and approachability was evident over our online interactions and she quickly built an excellent rapport with him. As parents, Shona was reassuring but practical, providing us with guidance and tools that we could implement in everyday activities, showing us how to model and help to increase his vocabulary and encourage conversation. It gave us the confidence we needed to help and support our son. Thank you Shona” – Parent

What I Offer

Assessment

I offer an initial free 30 minute phone consultation, if you are happy to proceed, we can book in an initial assessment – online UK wide or in person at your home or educational setting if in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire. The initial assessment includes a full report detailing the assessment outcomes and recommendations.

Therapy

If the recommendations include ongoing therapy sessions, these can be done via online zoom calls, at your home, or your child’s school / early years setting. There are no set therapy packages and we can discuss together what the best option might be for you and your child.

Training

Training offered can range from half hour sessions as part of weekly team meetings, to full day INSET training days, and can be provided as whole setting or small group sessions. Courses can be tailored to the needs of your setting and the pupils you support. Please get in touch to arrange a time to discuss your training needs.

Pricing

I offer a range of pricing options. Once your initial assessment has been completed, I will be able to recommend what the ideal level of ongoing therapy might be.

ServiceLocationDurationCost
Initial consultation Call15 minutes Free
Single setting assessmentAt your home
Herts / Beds		1 – 2 hours + report£280
Multiple setting assessment Your home + your child’s setting Up to 3 hours + report£350
Therapy SessionHerts / Beds1 Hour£90
Services in to schools and early years settingsAt your setting Hourly, half day and full day rates available Contact for quote

I’m affiliated with the following health providers should you be insured with them:

Contact

Please get in touch by using the online form, or email to arrange your free 15 minute initial telephone consultation.

Harpenden, Hertfordshire

shona@sparkspeechandlanguage.co.uk

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