My academic interest in dyslexia began when I was asked to explore why some children had difficulty learning to read, as part of an undergraduate degree in Human Sciences. I first trained to support learners with dyslexia when working as an occupational therapist (OT) in a child development centre. I noticed that many children who were referred with handwriting or dyspraxic-types of difficulties were struggling with spelling too, and I wanted to understand this better. I started to tutor children with dyslexia alongside my work as an OT.

I later went on to train as a speech and language therapist (SLT), due to an ongoing fascination with the relationship between spoken and written language. I specialised in dyslexia and worked in a school for specific learning difficulties, as an SLT with specialist teaching responsibilities too. I became the Literacy Co-ordinator there and also obtained my Level 7 qualification in teaching and assessing. I have worked in a number of other primary and secondary schools, including international schools (where I have twice been the Special Educational Needs Coordinator).

At Dyslexia Herts, I tutor on the Level 7 course, and I also do remote SpLD assessments of adults.

I love seeing how assessing and teaching can help people gain insight into their strengths and challenges, and how empowering this can be. It is great when they build knowledge and skills, but even better to see the autonomy, self-belief and confidence that can emerge. When I am not working, you will probably find me on the tennis court!