Emma B Speech Therapy

09/06/2026

Setting up for an initial speech and language therapy assessment 🤩

I *thought* I had taken a video of the clinic today with a running commentary of what I was setting up. Turns out I clicked ‘photo’ and was just talking to myself 🙈🥴🫠

Anywaaaaaay 😬 I wanted to share how I typically set up the clinic for an initial assessment….

❤️ I always make sure there’s something available I know the child likes - so today we had some cars/vehicles dotted around (toys and books). Gathering information about a child’s likes and interests prior to the assessment can help the child connect with the environment and make them feel at ease more quickly (I’m lucky that after 16 years in the biz I’ve built up quite the toy collection, so I can usually find something that fits the bill!) 🚗

🎈I love the term ‘strewing’ - strewing is the deliberate, pressure-free act of leaving interesting objects, books, or games in a child’s path to spark their natural curiosity. Today I went for bubbles, a bag of balloons and a pump, a colourful train with animals, keys and lockable houses and a house hiding some Bluey figures 🫧

🤸🏼‍♂️ Movement & sensory regulation are super important in all my sessions, so being able to climb, jump and spin is a must! Today we had access to a big ball pit, crash mats, bean bags and light up sensory floor mats ✨

🔤 I also made sure I had a few aided language boards scattered around; my talking buttons were close by and my iPad was within reach. This assessment was for a little boy who was described as non verbal in his referral, so I was already thinking of AAC modelling and exploration 🔎

🤖📝 My AI note taking app was on, which helps to give me an accurate account of the session and a detailed summary of my discussion with parents (this helps to form a good case history and baseline). I also have a pen and paper for any important notes (basically because I’m old and find a pen and paper still useful!) 👵🏻😆

In all my sessions, my general focus is on communication effectiveness, well-being, and autonomy ⭐️ what do you focus on in sessions and how do you like to set up for an initial assessment? 💭

08/06/2026

Top 5 scaaaaaary movies - speech therapy style! 👻
Love this trend! 🖤

05/06/2026

New Makaton training provider local to St Neots 🤩

Communication. Connection. Confidence

04/06/2026

Amazing to have research backing up what we see in clinic in order to support our families as much as possible!

Findings from this new systematic review suggest a significant association between sleep disturbances and sensory processing differences in autistic children and adolescents. Insomnia symptoms and night wakings were most consistently linked with sensory sensitivity and avoidance, particularly within tactile and vestibular domains. Current evidence supports a meaningful relationship between sleep and sensory functioning in autism, although further longitudinal and intervention-based research using objective assessment measures is needed to clarify causality and therapeutic implications.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102302

Follow us to keep up to date on the latest research in Sensory Integration and Neurodiversity.

To learn more about supporting individuals with sensory differences across the lifespan see the link below:
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/bundles/Sensory-Inclusion-Facilitator-Certificate-B

04/06/2026

The Government has now responded to our petition, and there is something really important that we cannot ignore.

For the first time, the response specifically references support for “autistic children and young people with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile” within the proposed National Inclusion Standards.

This petition was never about creating a separate diagnosis. It was about recognition, understanding, and ensuring that children and young people with a PDA profile receive appropriate support based on their needs.

The response states:

“National Inclusion Standards will set out the evidence-informed tools, strategies and approaches for educators… to identify and support children and young people with additional needs, including autistic children and young people who may have a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile.”

It also says:

“Access to support should not be dependent on a child or young person having a diagnosis.”

These are positive statements. But now comes the crucial question:

What will this actually mean in practice?

If PDA is to be included within National Inclusion Standards, then PDA-informed approaches must be properly recognised, understood and reflected in the evidence base that informs those standards.

Families, PDAers, educators and professionals know that traditional behaviour-based approaches often fail children with a PDA profile. We need the evidence, research and lived experience around PDA-informed practice to be taken seriously as these standards are developed.

The Government has committed up to £15 million to strengthen the evidence base and says an independent expert panel will help design these standards.

This means our work is not finished. In many ways, it is just beginning.

We now need to ensure that:

• PDA profiles remain visible throughout this process

• PDA-informed approaches are included in future research

• Lived experience is listened to alongside professional expertise

• Schools receive meaningful guidance, training and support

• Recognition leads to real-world change for children and families

• Support should be based on need, not on where a child is educated.

Please continue sharing the petition and the Government response. Every signature helps demonstrate that this community expects more than words - we want meaningful inclusion, evidence-informed practice, and support that genuinely meets the needs of our PDA children.

Recognition is a step forward. Now let’s make sure the standards reflect what PDA families, educators and advocates have been saying for years.

Petition link:
🔗 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/757502

The conversation has started. Let’s keep it going.

03/06/2026

Joy naturally seeks expression and connection.

Joy isn’t only a feeling—it’s something that moves between people through words, gestures, art, music, and shared experiences.

Joy kept to itself is a feeling.
Joy shared becomes communication.
Communication received becomes connection ❤️

Gorgeous photos from today shared with permission 😍

01/06/2026

Anyone else find goodbyes hard?? 🥹😭 this wonderful family are about to head back to America. They have been truly amazing to work with, and we have connected on so many levels ❤️

M has also taught me so much about weaving goals (as seamlessly as possible!) into play and interest-based activities. She’s bettered my ability to judge when to press on the gas and when to take my foot off.

I’ve watched her grow throughout her diagnostic journey.

I’m so thankful for the time we’ve shared together - I know we’ll stay in touch ✨ (authentically) getting to know the families I work with is a huge part of independent practice for me, and I’m so grateful for it!

M’s nickname is goose 🪿 so I’ll wear these socks with immense pride and happy memories! 🩷

29/05/2026

Nothing is more important than giving a child a voice and a reliable way to express themselves! ✨🩷

24/05/2026

Why saying “hello” can feel challenging sometimes 🧡