Speech and Language Therapists

Cleft Lip & Palate Service Website

The Speech and Language Therapy Team

< back to Meet the Team

Jenny Nayak, Clinical Lead SLT

Specialist SLT’s,

Catriona Hansen,

Cathy Hunter,

Samantha Calladine,

Rachel Jones

Andrea Malatesta

Katie Lea

Erica Clement

Members of the Speech and Language Therapy team will work with you and your child from soon after birth. We will monitor your child’s speech and language development at regular intervals to make sure that they are developing good communication skills. We work closely with other members of the cleft palate team to ensure the best possible care for your child.

We undertake assessments and give advice at the following times/ages*:

Before surgery
After surgery
Around one year old
18 month – 2 years old
3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years old

(*There may be some variation if your child has a cleft lip only.)

We will listen carefully to your child’s speech and language development at these times and discuss what you think about how your child’s development. We are interested in your child’s attention, hearing and play skills and overall physical and emotional development as well as their speech and language skills. We will keep regular video and audio recordings of your child’s speech for the records, in order to monitor the progress they make.

We may see your child for more regular support if they need it. We work closely with Speech and Language Therapists around the Yorkshire region and, if appropriate will organise therapy in your local area. If necessary, we will link in with your child’s nursery or school and offer support to educational staff either directly or via community speech and language therapy services.