Amanda Davis Med, Msc, Bsc (Hons) Email & Phone Number

Founder and Director of Words First Ltd, a growing team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Educational Psychologists with a special interest in education and supporting schools to understand SLCN, sensory integration and literacy. I am privileged to lead a team of 95 SaLTs, 30 OTs and 5 Ed Psychs from 10 different countries, reflecting the diversity of the children we support. 250 schools across London have trusted Words First with their SLCN needs so far and I hope to extend our reach to more schools around the UK.

I provided assessments and therapy for children in foster care with ISP. Alongside the Words First therapists, we worked closely with carers and professionals to provide an empathetic approach that aimed to improve outcomes in communication, language and literacy.

Assessment and small group intervention for adolescent pupils with specific language impairment. I also provided whole school support by working closely with teachers to differentiate lesson plans.

My role involved working with teenagers in KS4 who presented with specific language impairment. I was responsible for the provision of research and evidence based therapy that included difficulties such as Developmental Language Disorder, Dyspraxia, Autism and Dyslexia. Intervention was one-to-one, small groups and whole class. I co-planned and co-delivered English lessons and ASDAN. During life skills trips I was able to support pupils to transfer taught skills and use them in every day life. I started the first school council at MHS to enable pupils to get experience of more formal situations and discuss important aspects of their schools life. I supported the Year 11's to raise funds for a formal leavers dance (which happened at Coltsford Mill) and set up a running club to support social integration skills.

Kings Cross, London

I was fortunate enough to work alongside Pam Williams, creator of the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme. I was responsible for supporting children from all over the UK, and their families, to understand and manage their child's verbal dyspraxia.

As the only therapist on site, I was responsible for the delivery of speech and language therapy for up to 40 boys with SEBD. One-to-one assessment and intervention was not always possible due to negative emotions surrounding withdrawal. I approached intervention from a different perspective, getting in to the classroom and working alongside teachers to incorporate SaLT targets into lessons. I began work on a literacy and language group which used newspaper articles and magazine clips to engage the boys in discussion. Principles of RAVE-O were incorporated throughout my approach.

I was responsible for provision of speech and language therapy to a variety of mainstream and specialist schools in Berkshire.

Athlone, Cape Town

I worked with children between 4 and 16 years of age with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. I was instrumental in improving the standards of literacy instruction in the school through training and implementation of an innovative literacy programme from Havering in the UK. We worked as part of a multi-disciplimary team with regular meetings and training sessions with OTs and physios, we also ran joint sessions to support the pupils in a multi-disciplinary way.

Masters In Education, Education/Teaching Of Individuals With Specific Learning Disabilities

Bsc (Hons); Msc; Ma, Speech And Language Therapy; Dyslexia

Master's Degrees completed in speech and language at University of Cape Town as well as dyslexia at Kingston University. RAVE-O trainer.

Education record