Maximising young children's speech, language and communication skills, in partnership with parents and carers. Nurturing Relationships - Empowering Communication - Building Confidence
Natalie is an experienced and dedicated speech and language therapist, specialising in supporting young children's speech, language and communication skills.
Natalie provides professional, caring and transformative speech and language therapy services in homes, nurseries/pre-schools and schools, in and around Exeter and online.
Families
Assessment and therapy for young children age 0-7 years (up to the end of Year 2 at school). Provided in the home and nursery/pre-school/school.
Testimonials
Testimonials from parents of children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs, who have received support from Natalie.
Selective Mutism
Assessment and therapy for young children with selective mutism. Provided in the home and nursery/pre-school/school.
Services & Fees
A bespoke quotation can be provided for the package of services required to meet your individual needs.
Natalie helps children with...
Self-regulation, concentration and play/thinking
Listening to and understanding what people say
Communicating/talking confidently, and having conversations
Using words and sentences
Expressing their wants, needs, thoughts and feelings
Talking clearly
and fluently
"Wow, Natalie has been a god-send for us as we were at a loss with our little one and we found it difficult to make the right decision for our daughter. Natalie totally understands our daughter’s needs, setting out a plan of action and helping us move in the right direction. We have learned so much as parents in order to assist our daughter’s progress, and she continues to make progress in leaps and bounds. Natalie is highly professional, highly skilled in her work and friendly. We would 110% recommend Natalie, no doubts whatsoever! A big thank you Natalie from the bottom of our hearts, we cannot thank you enough!"
Parents of a 3 year 9 month old girl
About Natalie
"I am passionate about supporting children to communicate successfully as early as possible in their lives, to help them to thrive socially, emotionally and in their learning."
“The FreeMe Services logo of a Rainbow Lorikeet captures my vision of children flying high and reaching their full potential in life when they have the freedom to communicate."
Natalie qualified as a speech and language therapist in 1996 with a BMedSci (Hons) degree from the University of Sheffield. She has over 25 years experience working as a children's speech and language therapist - in NHS and charity sectors, and since 2016 in independent practice.
Natalie is experienced in helping children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in a variety of settings, including homes, children's centres, specialist assessment centres, nurseries, pre-schools and schools.
Natalie provides services that are tailored to the individual needs of young children and their families. Her approach is family-centred, relationship-based and neurodiversity-affirming. She supports parents and carers to become aware of, and celebrate, their own and their child's intuitive communication skills during everyday interactions and play, in places that are familiar to their child. She is dedicated to providing high-quality, practical and enjoyable speech and language therapy services, that breakdown communication barriers, and ultimately make a positive difference to the lives of children and families.
Natalie maintains enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and is a registered member of the:
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): Regulatory body for speech and language therapists (SLTs) practising in the UK.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT): Professional body for SLTs practising in the UK.
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP): Provides support and information for independent SLTs in the UK, and helps members of the public find an independent SLT.
How many children have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)?
Around 20% of children
in primary and secondary schools have speech, language and communication needs. Around 50% of children living in some areas of the country start school with speech, language and communication needs.
81% of children
with social, emotional and mental health needs have speech, language and communication needs.
More than 10% of children
have long-term speech, language and communication needs that can impact on their literacy, learning, friendships and emotional wellbeing; that's on average two to three children in every class of 30.
1% of children
have significant speech, language and communication needs that affect their ability to express their basic needs.
Book a free, no obligation initial phone conversation with Natalie today.