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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 3pm

The Speech Den

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United Kingdom
Cheltenham
The Speech Den

Independent Speech and Language Therapy

28/01/2026

Some of the ideas I’ve been exploring with Jaime during our Saturday conversations…

The more we talk about Gestalt Language Processing, the clearer it becomes that it whilst I may be supporting children and families, gestalt processing is that child for life, not just a way of their language development.

It shapes how people experience language, connection, and work across a lifetime.

There’s so much to reflect on, and even more to learn ❤️

23/01/2026

Some post-training reflections...

After we run a training session, we always ask attendees to reflect back on the session, this isn’t just to tick a box…but to hear what the most valuable take homes to them were, so we can all continue to learn and grow together ❤️

19/01/2026

Pay what you can* to join me next month at Merryoaks in Durham City for a chat about all things GLP!

Does your child use echolalia, scripts, and learned chunks of language to communicate?

Have you been wondering if your child might be a gestalt language processor but don’t know where to start in supporting them?

Have you been reading about GLP but ended up confused about whether it's even "real"?

Then this session is for you!

I’ll introduce the basics of gestalt language processing and the Natural Language Acquisition framework. I’ll suggest some ways to get started and share plenty of no-cost or low-cost resources you can find online to learn more. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions, including any challenging and controversial ones!

I always try to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone, whether you're actively participating or quietly listening and taking notes.

*I want the session to be as financially accessible as possible, while also keeping it sustainable for me to run. Tickets are from £5 to £25 on a pay what you can basis – I’m hoping this works for everyone!

Choose your ticket price here: https://buytickets.at/katecummingssltservices/1927242

18/01/2026

Parents bring their children to Speech and Language Therapy sessions to seek ‘expert’ advice and sometimes may feel that the SLT/SLP holds the power.

This is not case, it a partnership.

The truth is parents notice things no assessment ever could.

As a speech therapist our role isn’t to override parent knowledge. It’s to listen, learn, and work alongside it.

Your insights matter.
 Your instincts matter.
 And your understanding of your child is invaluable.

What’s something you’ve noticed about your child’s communication that others might miss?

14/01/2026

Why repetition matters in child-led play…

It’s not “just repeating.”
 It’s processing. It’s confidence. It’s regulation.

When children return to the same play, book, or activity they’re telling us something. Our job isn’t to redirect... it’s to join.

✨ Repetition builds safety. ✨ Safety builds connection. ✨ Connection supports communication.

Let’s trust the process…and trust your children ❤️

13/01/2026

Child-led play: What we mean…and what we don’t.

When we let children take the lead in play, we honour their choices, interests, and ways of communicating.

It’s not hands-off…it’s tuned in.

✨ Connection over correction ✨ Joining in, not taking over ✨ Respecting their rhythms

Child-led play supports autonomy, regulation and trust…it creates space for real communication to grow ❤️

10/01/2026

“Who Owns GLP?” - a powerful new Substack post by Dr Jaime Hoerricks (.substack)

In it, Jaime reflects on the brilliance of Marge Blanc’s Natural Language Acquisition framework…not because it claims to explain everything, but because it respects what is seen and heard in real children’s communication.

This quote captures the heart of that approach:
 “By refusing to overreach, Blanc avoids the category error that so often afflicts autism science: mistaking a developmental pathway for a complete account of cognition.”

In a field that often rushes to categorise and theorise, NLA reminds us to stay grounded…to listen, observe, and respond with care.

🌟 See Jaime’s full piece: “Who Owns GLP?” on autside.substack.com 🌟

Address

Cheltenham
GL51

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+447876537213

Website

http://www.thespeechden.com/, https://registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

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