Hazel Shaw Independent Speech and Language Therapist

25/02/2026

Happy 60th Birthday Carol Sutton 🎉

Carol and I were first colleagues (and friends) in the NHS and it feels really special that our paths have come back together again as independent practitioners working within the same MAT.

Carol shares daily gratitude posts on her own page, so today it feels only right to say how genuinely grateful I am for her. She brings a depth of knowledge and experience that is truly impressive and she is always so generous in sharing this with others.

We work incredibly well together - supporting each other through those trickier cases, talking things through, problem solving and ultimately helping each other do an even better job for the children and schools we support. That kind of professional partnership is something I never take for granted.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday Carol and thanking you for being such a knowledgeable, supportive and thoughtful colleague and friend 💛

17/02/2026

✨ Gestalt Language Processing in action ✨

Sharing a lovely moment from a recent session (videos shared with consent).

This fantastic little learner is predominantly a Gestalt Language Processor, currently developing language at Stage 1 by building a bank of meaningful, functional gestalts. Yesterday, we introduced some new phrases including - “I need help” and “Here I am.”

Through playful, tuneful modelling within motivating play, she began to copy and spontaneously use these new gestalts in interaction. Have a listen!!

Gestalt Language Processors often tune into the intonation and melody of language before the individual words, so we model phrases in a musical, connected way from their perspective that they can absorb and use as whole units. It was a joy to see how responsive she was to this approach. She was completely absorbed - it truly resonated with her - and she came into her own 🥰

A special mention to her fantastic Mum, who has taken everything on board and adapted her own interaction style so naturally. By modelling, waiting and joining in, she is creating the perfect environment for progress - and it’s really working! 🤗

When we adapt to how a child naturally learns language, rather than expecting them to adapt to us, progress can be incredible to watch 💛

11/02/2026

✨ SENCO appreciation post! ✨

I’m so lucky to work alongside some truly incredible SENCOs and today feels like the right moment to pause, say thank you and celebrate just how vital their role is.

Today was my last working day with the fabulous Esther in Dudley, who is moving on to pastures new. I’ve been fortunate enough to work across two schools with her now - first in a Wolverhampton school as an NHS Speech and Language Therapist and now in a different school (near where I used to live ♥️) as an Independent Practitioner.

Sharing the same work ethic, passion for the role and commitment to putting children firmly at the centre of everything we do makes collaboration feel effortless. When you’re on the same wavelength, the working relationship flows - problem-solving is stronger, communication is clearer and the job itself becomes not only easier, but genuinely enjoyable. These are the partnerships that make the challenging days manageable and the good days great.

So, thank you to all the SENCOs I have or have had the privilege of working with, for your professionalism, trust and unwavering dedication to achieving the very best outcomes for children. Your knowledge, advocacy and commitment never go unnoticed. I’m incredibly grateful to work alongside you all 🤗

NB. I wanted to get a photo of us but neither of us seemed to stop today, so here's a generic thank you image instead 😄

06/02/2026

SID THE SLOTH JOINS THE TEAM 😄

I had a real breakthrough yesterday using Sid the Weighted Sloth with a young client with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). While holding Sid with the weighted arms gently secured around his shoulders, he was able to produce speech sounds more smoothly and with noticeably reduced tension. The contrast from the previous session was striking.

Last week, when working on a particularly tricky vowel sound in words, his speech was characterised by visible facial tension, increased effort and difficulty achieving smooth transitions between sounds. This week, with the added sensory input, his productions were far more coordinated and smooth, with no observable facial tension. He was visibly more relaxed too!

Weighted input and deep pressure can support regulation and may help reduce physical tension. For children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)- where speech motor planning and sequencing are already highly demanding- this type of support can be helpful. By gently diverting focus away from the mechanics of speech and providing calming proprioceptive input, this superstar appeared better able to access smoother, more coordinated speech movements.

This aligns closely with evidence-based practice around CAS and the principles from motor learning theory, which highlights that children develop complex motor skills most effectively when anxiety and physical tension are reduced, success is achievable and practice feels safe and supported.

Sometimes it's not about trying harder but trying ways to make the task easier 🤩

03/02/2026

One of those days where the journey in was a nightmare! Bad weather, roadworks, delays — the full works ☔🚧 …and even a few flurries of snow for good measure ❄️

But then I walked into school and got to see this lovely human 💛

Claire is the most amazing Speech and Language Therapy Assistant I was lucky enough to work alongside for around 16 years. I loved working with her and really miss that time. Seeing her today in a Wolverhampton school completely turned my day around.

Proof that the right people can brighten even the most testing days. Thank you Claire.

29/01/2026

I absolutely loved seeing this 💛

Huge credit to Warstones Primary for creating opportunities like this and for the brilliant work happening through the Wolf Words initiative. Welcoming João Gomes to share his experience of stammering sends such a powerful message to children – that a speech difference should never limit what you can achieve.

Seeing children meet a professional footballer who stammers, talk openly and then jump straight into football skills is such a positive and normalising experience. Representation like this really matters.

As a Speech and Language Therapist, I love seeing fantastic schools like this showing children that their voice matters and that they can aim high, whatever challenges they may face.

Such a brilliant thing to do and a fantastic role model.

🧡⚽

In a heartwarming visit to a school that Wolves Foundation work in, Joao Gomes met with children who have speech and language differences.The Wolves midfield...

22/01/2026

From frustration to confidence. From practice to progress.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) makes learning to talk especially hard—children know what they want to say, but their brains and mouths have to work overtime to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech. Progress takes persistence, repetition and an incredible amount of effort.

That’s why moments like this matter so much. This absolute superstar's perseverance has led to amazing success—not only in more accurate and confident speech productions, but in believing in himself. Seeing him proudly write “I love my speech” and begin to monitor and correct his own errors is incredibly inspiring. Sessions like this remind me why I do what I do and why I'll always be so passionate about CAS and speech disorders in general 💛

26/12/2025

Very proud to be part of this. Lots planned for 2026. Watch this space....

Speech Apraxia 2025, it has been amazing to have so many of you interact and follow us on Facebook. I can't list you all but I appreciate everyone! Thanks so much for all you do www.speechapraxia.co.uk Don't forget membership is free!

New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association, Hazel Shaw Independent Speech and Language Therapist Pam Slater Olga Komadina Apraxia Therapy - Australia Mikey's Wish - Verbal Dyspraxia Awareness Tap Type Talk Sarah Causey Ronda Rousey Chelsea Connelly Mark Lippert Mówergency Terapeuta Komunikacji Tap Type Talk Small Talk Speech Language Therapy Pam SlaterRob Fruth Elliott’s Voice Blue Sky LearningTracey McCullochDYSPRAXIA - Dyspraxic Adults Surviving in a non-Dyspraxic world Steph MaxwellLucy SmithSheree RuddJeremy RuddCL CorrClaudia BarrecaLiz BedsonLorraine LomasAngela WhiteTina SweeneyIzoh SethobaCharlotte BerryVikki JevonsSerennu Therapies Speech TherapistsNatalia ShlychkovaAngharad WelchRADLD - Raising Awareness of Developmental Language DisorderKimberly VictoriaStefania DeianaZorica KilleenSiân AngelTina Spar SingerCassandra PedroAfasicCassi HammondSafaa Saeed HassanRobertsWendy GunnJames Andrew RoseUCAN Stroke Rehabilitation in Merseyside and CheshireRelate

22/11/2025

I first trained to become a Speech Therapist because of my own family’s history of stammering and a session this week reminded me exactly why I chose this path.

This week, I had the privilege of working with two Key Stage 2 children to develop their understanding and awareness of stammering. We were also joined by one of their teachers, who openly shared her own experience of stammering. She was truly inspirational — showing the children, through her confidence and authenticity, that a stammer should never hold you back from achieving anything you set your mind to. 💛✨

Sessions like these highlight something so important: awareness and acceptance are vital. Stammering isn’t something to “fix" and children shouldn’t feel pressured to change who they are or how they speak. Instead, we should focus on building understanding, confidence and a positive sense of self, which in turn can often also increase fluency far better than anything else.

Here’s to creating spaces where every voice is valued, heard, and empowered. 💬🌈

05/11/2025

This term, my focus has been on learning more about Gestalt Language Processing — and wow, what an eye-opener!

Children can learn language in different ways - some hook onto the words and for others, the intonation is more powerful. Diving deeper into this has been such a rewarding experience. Huge thanks to the wonderful parents who’ve let me share examples for training and to one superstar child (and their amazing mum!) who are putting strategies into practice so we can see progress in action. 💫

Every time I learn more about communication, I’m reminded how important it is to adapt what we do — to make sure it truly fits the child. 💛

29/10/2025

Genuinely humbled to read this. I like to treat everyone the way I would like to be treated and kindness is of phenomenal importance to me. I really do pour my heart and soul into what I do and am honoured to be part of Speech Apraxia. If you can like and share their page that would be amazing. Let's keep raising awareness and spreading the word so more people can understand and support apraxia.

Hazel Shaw is one of our amazing Friends of Speech Apraxia. She is one of the kindest SLTs I have met and an incredible asset to our organisation. I am genuinely touched to see the care she shows in her work which reflects in the attention she gives.
Hazel is an speech and language therapist and an expert in the field in childhood apraxia of speech. She was recently recognised in her home town of Worcester, UK for this role in the Worcester News. Despite her busy professional role, she continues to play an active part in our organisation as a Childhood Apraxia of Speech expert. When you send in clinical queries, it’s often Hazel, along with our wider team, who helps direct you to the right support.
She has worked alongside me to grow Speech Apraxia UK into the strong organisation it is today, including when we were recognised as part of the UK Speech, Language and Communication Alliance recently. I could not be prouder to have her on our team. Thanks Hazel, for your knowledge and wisdom as we grow.

15/10/2025

It was lovely to see this article in the paper today! I have worked so hard in my career and am so passionate about what I do, so to have this recognition is just phenomenal. Full-page article too!

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a rare neurological disorder