About me

Hi! I'm Micaela Jackson, an experienced Speech and Language Therapist and the founder of Unity SLT.  My passion lies in working collaboratively with people with communication needs and their support networks to nurture and support their speech, language, and communication development. I strive to ensure the voices of the people I work with are heard and listened to. I am committed to providing neurodivergent-affirming and trauma informed care that respects each person’s unique communication style and experiences. 

As a parent myself, I understand the various challenges and potential barriers to implementing advice from professionals. Therefore, my focus is on working collaboratively with parents and carers to ensure that the suggested evidence-based communication approaches can be easily incorporated into daily family routines.

I offer comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and tailored therapeutic intervention for a range of communication needs in children, young people, and adults. My specialisms include working with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH), Learning Disabilities, and language disorders such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

My experience and approach

My background includes working as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS, where I held a role leading the development of the Speech and Language Therapy provision for both child and adult forensic services. I started my independent practice with the goal to provide flexible, holistic and accessible communication support, ensuring Speech and Language Therapy is tailored to each person’s unique needs.

I have experience working in a wide range of settings – from early years and mainstream schools to specialist and alternative education settings, family homes, secure children’s homes, Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and adult Forensic Autism and Learning Disability services. 

My approach is neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed. I believe in celebrating the unique communication styles of each individual and adapting my approach to meet each person’s needs. I have extensive experience supporting Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH), Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and language disorders such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), speech sound difficulties and other communication needs. I am experienced in supporting the communication of those who have experienced trauma and children experiencing school attendance barriers.

Whilst much of my work supporting and facilitating communication with people with communication needs is direct, I believe in the importance of training and raising awareness of speech, language and communication needs and the associated difficulties experienced. I have extensive experience developing and delivering bespoke training packages for parents and professionals, including education settings, children’s health services and mental health teams and forensic teams. 

Training

I continuously invest in my clinical and professional development to provide a better quality of care for those I work with. Specialist training that I have completed includes: 

• Talking Mats

• Language and Mind: Understanding Language Development and Complex Trauma

• Talkabout: Developing Social and Communication Skills

• ELKLAN Tutor Total Training Programme

• Makaton (Level 4)

• Word Aware Vocabulary approach

• Keep Safe: Intervention for children and young people with Learning Disabilities who have displayed Harmful Sexual Behaviour and their parents / carers

Professional Registrations

• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

• Member of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Member of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)