Therapy Assistant

Hi, I’m Michelle. 

I am a mother of two and my experience with supporting my own child when he experienced anxiety and difficulties communicating due to his stammer, inspired my love for using alternative communication systems to help him express himself when he couldn’t use spoken words.  Since then, I have developed my skills and experience in Makaton signing.  I am trained from levels 1-4, and use it daily with children in school, so they all have a voice.

I have worked in a primary school as a 1:1 and a class teaching assistant (T.A.) for 4 years, across a range of year groups.  I am passionate about language development and how we communicate.  I enjoy working 1:1 and in small groups, working on our children’s well-being and developing ways to express themselves.  I also like to work together closely with the family to build a relationship and provide holistic support for that child.  

I deliver speech and language interventions in school, with training and guidance from a qualified speech and language therapist.  I have gained experience in working with children who have a range of speech, language and communication needs, including neurodiverse conditions, speech sound disorders and language disorders.  

I enjoy delivering specialist interventions in small groups in school, to help children with their friendship, social and emotional skills, and resilience.  

I have completed the following training outside of my school role:

• Supporting children with anxiety

• Managing challenging behaviour

• Primary education listening and observing

• Making sense of autism

• Understanding equality and diversity

• First aid levels 1, 2, 3, 4.