Mel Meadows

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1994 and started working with children with a variety of speech and language needs in the NHS community team, working in schools and early years settings.  In 2000 I led on the set up of Cornwall Council’s Communication Support Team and managed this for 20 years providing a mix of individual therapy, educational support and workforce training for school aged children with different levels of speech, language and communication needs.  In 2020 I moved to the NHS Neurodevelopmental Assessment team and worked within a multi-disciplinary team to provide diagnostic assessments for children and young people with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism, ADHD, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder, Developmental Trauma and Learning Disability.    

As a Speech and Language Therapist I have supported children and young people with a wide variety of speech, language and communication needs.  These include:

∙ Speech sound disorder – including articulation, phonological and motor speech difficulties

∙ Developmental Language Disorder and language disorders associated with other neurodevelopmental conditions

∙ Gestalt Language Processing

∙ Autism

∙ Social communication needs

∙ AAC – Alternative and augmentative communication

∙ Communication needs associated with Learning disability

∙ Communication needs associated with Social, Emotional and Mental health needs

∙ Communication needs associated with trauma and attachment

I have also delivered a range of training packages for school staff, professionals and parents.  I am a former trainer for ‘Elklan – Speech and Language in the Classroom’ and ‘Language for Learning – Primary and Secondary’.  I also co-authored and co-delivered Cornwall Council’s ‘Supporting Communication for Children with Complex Communication Needs’ until 2020.    

I have a practical approach to formulating therapy goals and support plans to develop your child’s speech, language and communication skills.  I will work with you to identify and prioritise the right targets that can be achieved in a fun and motivating way.  

Additional Courses/Training 

∙ Intensive Interaction

∙ Makaton signing

∙ Nuffield Dyspraxia programme

∙ Hanen – it takes two to Talk.

∙ Keeping Language in Mind – Understanding and Supporting Children with DLD and SEMH needs

∙ Coaching Conversations

∙ Autism, ADHD, DCD, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome,

∙ Beacon House Developmental Trauma Training.

Professional Qualifications/ Registration

∙ BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Pathology

∙ Certified member of the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists. (CertMRCSLT)

∙ Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

∙ Member of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice. (MASLTIP)

∙ Enhanced DBS for working with children and adults