Where it all began!
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to my SLT corner of the internet! My name is Stephanie, Speech and Language Therapist and founder of Bray Speech Therapy!
I hope this can be a shared space to think about all things speech, language and communication related. If you want to get in touch with any questions or blog suggestions please feel free to email me: stephanie@brayspeechtherapy.ie But first let me tell you a little about my SLT journey...
Rewind back to 2011, a new grad. Speech and Language Therapist fresh out of UL only to be faced with a recruitment moratorium. Some got on a plane, others volunteered, I went private. Stephanie’s Speech Therapy was established with the support of Jonathon Linklater, my clinical supervisor https://www.linklater.ie/. I had three fantastic years working closely with families and schools in Bray, Greystones and beyond, many of these pre-schoolers now in second and third-level education!
In my private practice I was seeing an increasing number of children under 3years presenting with autistic characteristics, in order to be able to truly support these children and families long-term further learning in a team setting was needed. In 2014, I made the move to St. Michael’s House Services, Dublin and boy did I learn a lot here! I managed a paediatric and adult caseload providing SLT support in mainstream and special classes, respite and residential centres across North Dublin. I worked with an amazing multidisciplinary team and group of highly experienced Speech and Language Therapists some of whom shared a mutual interest in the Dubs – SLT and GAA rivalry – happy out!
Fast forward to March 2018 and ready to say farewell to the M50 commute I accepted a post closer to my second home with Enable Ireland, Bray. This presented new opportunities to work with children with more complex physical needs, developing an even greater appreciation of the expertise and interdisciplinary work with my colleagues in Physio and Occupational therapy.
A surprise phone call in Feb. 2019 resulted in a move up the career ladder to a Senior post in St. Catherine’s Association, Wicklow. My time in early services was going great until along came covid and life as an ‘on screen’ SLT through the provision of teletherapy. The Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) formed in September 2021 and I flew the flag for CDNT 6/Mid Wicklow for the inaugural year until the time came for a new venture - Bray Speech Therapy.
So I find myself back where it all began in private practice. The entrepreneurial flame has reignited, Bray Speech Therapy is on the map (special thanks to Donal at the Egan Business Centre). Things are looking up with an SLT back in town and a fellow northerner Oisin McConville soon to do wonders for the county footballers – SLT and GAA - happy out!
Stephanie