Type of service: Speech and Language Therapists (independent)

Geraldine is a skilled and experienced specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with over 21 years of clinical experience working with children with communication impairment and their families. She specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism or social communication disorder. She can contribute to a comprehensive multi-professional assessment for a child with communication difficulties (including social communication difficulties). The assessment includes a full and detailed developmental history and description of concerns as well as the administration of autism specific assessment tools (such as the ADOS). Geraldine can provided individual and group therapy to work on communication, language processing, emotional understanding, interaction skills and friendship skills. Geraldine works as a highly specialist speech and language therapist both within the NHS and independent sector. She currently is employed part-time by the local NHS trust as a Highly Specialist Speech and language Therapist for autism and in her independent role undertakes extensive training and capacity building in independent and state primary and secondary schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. She has extensive experience in working with schools and helping them support students with autism/Asperger's syndrome and communication difficulties. Geraldine is able to provide resources/strategies and training to education staff to support a school to meet the child's needs. She has worked closely with colleagues in Education over the past ten years and can provide advice for Statements of Special Educational Needs when appropriate. In addition, she collaborates with the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England as a clinical researcher and lecturer. She is a regular presenter at national and international conferences and has published a number of research papers.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training

Registrations and professional qualifications: Registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC); Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).