ABOUT US
Here at Sage Speech Therapy Services, we envision a world where children are happier and their grownups feel calmer.
The seed for our company was planted when the BBC published an article calling for parents to become “super parents” to “improve their child’s autism”. While working for that same research team, our lead Speech and Language Therapist was working with mums, dads, teachers and support workers who were doing their best under sometimes incredible pressure. They didn’t need more guilt, they needed solutions.
Sage Speech Therapy Services have one simple aim - to empower the adults around children with communication difficulties to support their children in safe, sane and sustainable ways.
NEURODIVERSITY
NEURODIVERSITY
There is no one type of person that fits the mould of “normal” - we are all different in unique ways. We believe that neurological conditions like autism are the result of variations in the way people’s brains work. Autism, for example, is one unique way of being human, in a busy, diverse world. We believe that the most successful way to work with children is to seek to understand how they see the world (as expressed by their behaviour and communication) not to just focus on managing their “symptoms”.
BEHAVIOUR IS COMMUNICATION
We believe that the ways children behave are attempts to communicate their wants, beliefs and opinions to the world around them. This can be as simple as looking at a delicious cake when they want it, but it also includes more challenging behaviour too. Knowing what a child is trying to say can help us find easier or clearer ways for them to say it.
EARLY INTERVENTION
EARLY INTERVENTION
We know from the growing body of research that early intervention can promote better outcomes in the development of communication, social relationships and can lead to improved child and parent mental health in the longer term. When a child can easily and successfully communicate their wants and needs, they are less likely to develop (or continue to use) challenging behaviours.
There is a lot of evidence that children with autism learn best from intensive support in their everyday environments, but hiring professionals locally can be difficult and may cost a lot. We aim to empower the people around the child (parents, school staff, wider family
EMPOWERMENT
EMPOWERMENT
Raising a child with developmental difficulties is a unique experience, but it can make every day life highly stressful at times. It is very easy to get so focused on the child’s needs, and many parents don’t stop to consider the effect of stress on their own life. In addition to our Speech Therapy services, we also offer a range of personal coaching tools to help you feel less overwhelmed, and move forward in new, self-compassionate and empowered ways.
Meet Our Team
ANNA KNIGHT
Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Autism specialist, Certified Coach, Cat Lover.
The one who makes the words happen, talks to people all day and loves working on a good problem.
MEL ROBINSON
Office Manager
Professional Photographer, Organisational Wizard, Dog Person.
The one who makes the internets work, everything look pretty, and keeps the business running in an orderly fashion.
