Ali is a specialist speech and language therapist that is experienced in providing assessment and intervention to children with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties here with us at SLT UK.
Ali graduated from the Manchester Metropolitan University and is fully registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Ali works across Manchester and Liverpool and has had experience working in both private practice and with the NHS.
Ali has had experience working in the community with adults who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury. She has also worked with clients who stutter and with a variety of degenerative diseases. Ali is also fully dysphagia trained, meaning she can provide support and treatment programmes to children with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia.
Ali has supported charities through her work as she worked closely with the Stroke Association to provide speech and language therapy support to individuals who have had a stroke and need assistance following their discharge into the community.
Ali has experience in devising and providing training courses to other professionals and patients family members and is passionate about providing holistic care across the child’s whole support network.
Education
BSc (Hons) Speech Pathology and Therapy - Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Training
Ali has the skill set to provide each child with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, with the highest quality of care
Ali Shepherd
Ali's specialities
Speech, language and communication
Eating, drinking and swallowing
Ali is registered with
Experience
Ali has experience in a range of different settings working with children and adults with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties:
- Dysphagia assessments
- Treatment for eating, drinking and swallowing
- Advice and training for professionals, carers and parents
Professional memberships
Ali works in accordance to the professional and ethical guidelines set by the HCPC and RCSLT.
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment
Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Training
BSc (Hons) Speech Pathology and Therapy
Q&A
What inspired you to become a speech and language therapist?
I enjoyed studying biology and anatomy at school and knew that I wanted to enter the medical field. I attended a placement in a specialist school when I was 15 working with young adults with learning disabilities. I worked alongside the multi-disciplinary team including physiotherapists, occupational therapists. It was then that I worked with a speech and language therapist and saw the impact the speech and language therapist played in gaining communication through technology.
Is there a speech, language, communication or swallowing condition you enjoy working with the most?
I enjoy all aspects of my role and the variety of conditions I can support, however I am particularly driven to working with individuals with eating, drinking and swallowing disorders. This is mainly because during my initial assessment, the majority of individuals express their fear of their symptoms and how disabling their eating and drinking difficulties can be. By the end of my intervention, Individuals are not only managing their symptoms but report enjoying mealtimes again with their loved ones.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I love the outdoors and regularly explore the UK and Europe on cycle routes and enjoy camping. I also love cars and spend time working on my own car and attending car shows. My partner calls me the classic Petrol Head!
What is your favourite thing about being a speech and language therapist with SLT for Kids?
Working for SLT for Kids is so rewarding as I have the flexibility, equipment and time to provide speech and language therapy input effectively to meet the personal needs and goals of the individual. I also enjoy working so closely alongside other professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists etc to ensure we are fully meeting the needs of the individual.
Join our team
We are a team of enthusiastic speech and language therapists that are always looking for more dedicated paediatric therapists to join our valued team.
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