Shows
Talking Speech ApraxiaWhy Speech Apraxia Is Still Overlooked: Training Gaps, Bias, and Breaking Into the Profession-Ruth RowntreeIn this episode, Ruth Rowntree interviewed by Libby Hall, takes a clear-eyed look at why speech apraxia remains so poorly understood within speech and language therapy. She examines the persistent gaps in university training, the limited exposure many clinicians have to apraxia in practice, and the consequences this has for diagnosis, confidence, and care.Ruth also speaks candidly about the often unspoken barriers faced by people entering the SLT profession with a speech difference. Drawing on lived experience and professional insight, she challenges assumptions about competence, communication, and credibility, and makes the case for a...
2026-01-2926 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaNeurodiversity in Speech and Language Therapy: Lived Experience, Identity, and Inclusion with Jodee SimpsonIn this episode, Jodie Simpson, an autistic speech and language therapist, talks openly about her journey into the profession and her research on neurodiversity within speech and language therapy. Jodie explores the realities faced by neurodivergent therapists, including discrimination, ableism, and barriers within training and clinical practice. She challenges deficit-based thinking and makes a clear case for recognising and valuing neurodivergent differences rather than framing them as disorders.Jodie also discusses her research into professional identity and highlights the distinct strengths and perspectives neurodivergent therapists bring to their work with clients, families, and colleagues. We underline the...
2026-01-1530 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaAcquired Apraxia of Speech-How to treat and assess with Kimberley Williams of Nova Speech TherapyKimberley Williams explores the realities of working with acquired apraxia of speech, a rare motor speech disorder that most often presents alongside aphasia following stroke. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, Kimberley explains the specialist skills required, the challenges clinicians face, and what effective support looks like in practice. She also reflects on the personal and professional motivations that led her into this field, offering a grounded, honest perspective on why this work matters and what continues to drive her commitment to people living with acquired apraxia of speech.
2026-01-0121 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaSpeech Apraxia, Care and Context in India with Appas SahaDistinguished Assistant Professor Appas Saha joins us from India to discuss speech apraxia awareness, care, and diagnosis in his country. He explores how families navigate assessment and therapy for children with childhood apraxia of speech, highlighting both the challenges they face and the progress being made. He also shares his hopes for the future of support and understanding in this important field.
2025-12-1935 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaWhy isn’t he talking? It can’t just be autismWhen Lottie Berry’s non-speaking autistic son Joshua didn’t follow the normal pathway for speech progression, she started to question why.Yes, he was autistic, but that didn’t explain why he couldn’t talk. Lottie talks about how she bravely pushed for a diagnosis for his speech disorder on the NHS and secured an adapted speech assessment, which resulted in a diagnosis of Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).Josh now has intensive speech therapy sessions for CAS on the NHS that have helped unlock his voice alongside his trusty speech device Monty (Proloquo2Go).Lottie says, “I had give...
2025-12-0526 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaPicking targets and working with childhood apraxia of speechOlga Komadina talks about why she chose to work in speech apraxia and her route into the field. What are the challenges and how do you make decisions about children? Olga has years of experience working with childhood apraxia of speech.
2025-11-2155 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaAcquired apraxia of speech- Jon Hunt, founder of CuespeakIn this episode, Jon Hunt discusses how apraxia affects people after a stroke and shares insights from his work supporting individuals with acquired apraxia of speech and aphasia. He explores the challenges of diagnosis, common misconceptions about treatment, and how these conditions often overlap more than many realise.Jon also talks about designing the Cuespeak therapy app, created to help people practice speech and communication more effectively. He explains how apraxia therapy tends to focus on the mechanics of speech, while aphasia therapy targets language processing—but in reality, speech and language are deeply connected, an...
2025-11-1421 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaAcquired apraxia of speech after a stroke- Stroke Survivors Speech & Language Support GroupLiz Bedson runs the Stroke Survivors Speech and Language Support group. She explains the effects of stroke on speech and language, how her organisation supports individuals with apraxia of speech and is looking to also train their volunteers. The organisation supports Stroke Survivors in Cheshire, UK and surrounding areas with speech, language and communication difficulties with fun activities in a safe, person centered way.They empower stroke survivors to recover, reclaim and rebuild their lives after stroke through fun and engaging activities. Helping them become more motivated, they become more resilient and feel less isolated.
2025-11-0516 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaChildhood apraxia of speech and selective mutism, diagnosis, awareness and effective therapy- Libby Hill Consultant Speech and Language Therapist Small Talk SLT LtdLibby hall discusses both childhood apraxia of speech and selective mutism. She answers questions around diagnosis, common misconceptions, and raising awareness. This unique podcast focuses on an area of speech and language that is often misunderstood and underrepresented, Libby sheds light on the challenges families face and the importance of early intervention. Whether you're a person living with one or both of these or a parent, educator, or speech-language professional, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice to support children navigating these complex communication disorders.Libby is in her 40th year of being a speech and...
2025-10-2928 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaSpeech Apraxia and selective mutism with Libby Hill, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, Small Talk SLT LtdLibby Hill discusses both apraxia of speech and selective mutism, explaining how speech and language therapists can distinguish between the two and the unique challenges of supporting individuals with selective mutism. She offers a fascinating insight into her clinical experiences with these children and shares what drives her passion for working with this client group.Libby is in her 40th year of being a speech and language therapist and remains as passionate about what she does as ever. Libby worked for the NHS in Aylesbury, Dudley and Sandwell before moving to the independent sector. She leads an independent team of t...
2025-10-2826 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaPiecing Together the Puzzle: Pam’s Journey with FOXP2 and Childhood Apraxia of SpeechIn this episode, I’m joined by Pam Slater, whose daughter was diagnosed with a FOXP2-related speech and language disorder in 2017. She shares her story with www.speechapraxia.co.uk That diagnosis helped piece together years of unanswered questions—hypotonia, poor eye contact, and unclear speech that even family struggled to understand. Pam shares her daughter’s remarkable journey, from early physiotherapy and years of intensive speech therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, to finding ways to communicate through Makaton, communication books, and AAC. We also talk about the mental health impact, the determination her daughter shows every day, a...
2025-09-2414 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaAlonna Bondar- Treating childhood apraxia of speech-common questionsAlonna addresses the common questions asked when treating childhood apraxia of speech. Alonna is PROMPT certified and DTTC trained, and listed on the Apraxia Kids directory. She is a pediatric speech language pathologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in apraxia and other speech sound disorders.Alonna offers online courses on childhood apraxia of Alonna addresses the common questions asked when treating childhood apraxia of speech. Alonna is PROMPT certified and DTTC trained, and listed on the Apraxia Kids directory. She is a pediatric speech language pathologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in apraxia and other sp...
2025-09-2447 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaChelsea- a mother's experience of navigating support for Childhood Apraxia of SpeechToday on the podcast, I’m joined by Chelsea, mum to Lucas. When Lucas was just two, Chelsea noticed he wasn’t talking at all. After years of frustration and limited progress with standard speech therapy, Lucas was finally diagnosed at six with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Fast forward just over two years, and with the right specialist, intensive support, he’s making incredible progress. Chelsea has thrown herself into raising awareness—attending CAS family days, even doing a sponsored skydive in 2024 to fund assessments, and helping to create an official CAS pathway in her local area. In this episode...
2025-09-2423 min
Talking Speech ApraxiaElliot's Voice -The Forth Worth mum giving a voice to her child.I intervew Kendra Frank, founder of 'Elliot's Voice' Elliot is four — bursting with energy, laughter, and curiosity. He understands the world around him, but childhood apraxia of speech makes it hard for him to get the words out. That’s why she created Elliott’s Voice: a nonprofit placing low-tech communication boards in parks, libraries, zoos, and even emergency services — so kids like Elliott can always be heard. In this episode, we share how a personal struggle grew into a mission to build inclusive communities where every child, every person, and every voice matters#ChildhoodApraxiaOfSpeech #CAS #ApraxiaOfSpeech #ApraxiaA...
2025-09-2422 min