CHRISTY WHEATLEY
Director of Chatter Matters Ltd
My name is Christy Wheatley and I was born and raised in North East London, went to university in Norwich and moved to Greater Manchester in 2015. With a Bachelor's degree (hons) in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of East Anglia, I started my career in 2012.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
2012-2014
In my first post I worked as a community Speech and Language Therapist in Hertfordshire and West Essex NHS Trust, working with children aged 2-19 years old. Here I gained experience in a broad range of speech and language difficulties including speech delay/disorder, language delay/disorder, attention and listening, social communication and dysfluency. I also developed a specialism in cleft lip and palate and became the lead therapist for the region.
SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
I then went on to work for a Social Enterprise as a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. Here I developed specialist skills working with children under 5 years old. I continued to gain further experience in all areas of speech, language and communication.
2014-2015
SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR
2015-2020
Several years into my career I moved to Greater Manchester and began working in a private school in Cheshire as a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator. As part of my role as SENDCo I gained a strong understanding of Education Health Care Plans, liaising with local authorities and supporting parents through application processes. I also managed a team of 25 staff and conducted speech and language therapy with several of the pupils at the school. As part of my therapy sessions I supported children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attachment Disorder and significant psychological challenges.
During my time here I qualified as an Elklan tutor and delivered weekly training to all staff.
DIRECTOR AND HIGHLY SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST AT CHATTER MATTERS LTD
2020-Present
I became a mum in April 2020 and on returning to work I decided it was time to establish my own speech and language therapy practice. I want to be able to offer a personal service and get to know the families I work with and working at Chatter Matters allows me to do that.
I am passionate about finding solutions for each and every one of my clients and helping them gain confidence as we work together to improve their speech, language and communication skills.
I have developed a specialism in speech delays and disorders and enjoy the challenge of working on a range of speech difficulties. I also have a passion for working with children and young adults on the Autistic Spectrum and with other social communication difficulties. I am a qualified Autism Assessor and it is my privilege to support families through this challenging, yet rewarding journey.
OLIVIA LATHAM
My name is Olivia, and I was born and raised in Greater Manchester. I was awarded my BSc in Psychology at the University of Liverpool, followed by my MSc in Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
2023-present
My current role at Chatter Matters involves working closely with children, young people and adults with a range of communication difficulties. I am in close liaison with schools and families to further support these individuals.
I am keen to support the early identification of speech, language and communication needs and to ensure every child receives the best and earliest intervention possible. Whilst I am passionate about all areas of speech and language therapy, I have a particular interest in Autism Spectrum Condition/social communication, speech sound disorders, stammering and situational mutism.
LAUREN STEVENS
My name is Lauren Stevens and I was born and raised in Greater Manchester. I completed my university degree in Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University and now work at Chatter Matters Ltd as a Speech and Language Therapist.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
2022-present
My role at Chatter Matters is to support children and families with a variety of communication difficulties. I work with a large range of children with a range of speech, language, and communication needs, and I particularly enjoy working with children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
NATALIE FOX
Hi, I'm Natalie from South Manchester. I was awarded a First Class BSc (Hons) in Speech Pathology and Therapy from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2018.
SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
2019-present
I began my Speech and Language career in the NHS in Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I continue to work there part time alongside my role at Chatter Matters.
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I work with children and young people of all ages facing a range of communication challenges, including attention and listening, understanding and using language, speech sounds, stammering, social communication and selective mutism. I have experience carrying out a range of assessments, including EHCP assessments and social communication assessments. I can provide direct therapy as well as training for caregivers and education settings and enjoy the challenge of finding solutions to fit each individual and their family. I am particularly interested in social communication and neurodevelopmental disorders, language development, selective mutism and bilingualism.
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As part of my Continuing Professional Development I have completed specialist training in social communication and autism (Hanen), Stammering in children under 7 (Michael Palin Centre), and Selective mutism in teens and adults (Speech Freedom). I have also completed the Makaton Foundation (Level 2) training.
BLAKESLEY ORR
I am Blakesley and I currently live in North Wales. I have a degree in Linguistics from The University of Manchester and a degree in Speech Pathology and Therapy from Manchester Metropolitan University.
I have spent much of my career working in Singapore as a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. I have recently moved back to North Wales where I intend to continue working with my clients in Singapore via teletherapy and also working with Chatter Matters to support some of the children and young adults. I will work with the Chatter Matters clients via teletherapy.
I have more than 6 years of experience assessing and treating;
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Speech sound disorders
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Stuttering and fluency
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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
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Apraxia/dyspraxia of Speech
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Expressive/receptive language delay
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Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Social communication difficulties
I value the need to liaise closely with families, educators, and other professionals to create a supportive and holistic approach to achieving the goals of my clients. I am an advocate for adapting the learning environment by implementing strategies for my client to thrive and succeed both socially and academically.
I am certified in conducting parent training programmes to assist with early intervention strategies for children aged 18 months to 5 years old. I engage parents in my sessions so they are able to follow through with strategies explored in therapy and feel confident in initiating therapeutic interventions day to day. There is a strong evidence base for this model of intervention in helping language delays in children.
When I'm not working, I enjoy going to the gym, cycling, swimming, learning new languages and travelling.
Professional Training:
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Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk (Parent training for early childhood intervention)
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Learn to Play: Basic and Advanced Level
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Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme
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Lidcombe Program for early childhood stuttering
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Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winner)
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Emotional Regulation; Zones of Regulation, Size of the Problem
QUALIFICATIONS
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY BSC (HONS)
University of East Anglia
2009-2012
Christy Wheatley
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY BSC (HONS)
The University of Manchester
2016-2020
Rachael Webb
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY BSC (HONS)
Birmingham City University
2019-2022
Lauren Stevens
SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND THERAPY
BSC (HONS)
Manchester Metropolitan University
2015-2018
Natalie Fox
Mental Health First Aid
December 2016
Christy Wheatley
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Rachael Webb
Palin Parent Child Interaction (PCI) TRAINING
Rachael Webb
Elklan Trainer
November 2015
Christy Wheatley
MAKATON SIGNING FOUNDATION LEVEL
Christy Wheatley
Rachael Webb
Lauren Stevens
Natalie Fox
Hanen Social Communication and Autism
Natalie Fox
Blakesley Orr
Stammering in Children Under 7 Michael Palin Centre
Natalie Fox
Selective Mutism in Teens and Adults
Speech Freedom
Natalie Fox
