Naima Dhanji
Luton
Summary
Energetic therapist who is passionate about delivering fun, dynamic, evidence-based therapy to support clients’ in developing their communication skills and reaching their full potential. Experienced in supporting pre-school and primary school-aged children with a variety of difficulties including Autism, Speech Sound disorders and Selective Mutism. Being bilingual and having a passion for travelling has broadened awareness and knowledge of different cultures and multi-cultural environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Speech and Language therapist
03.2020 - Current
- Managing a varied caseload of clients including ASD, DLD, stammering and Speech sound difficulties
- Working within the home and school settings
Free Lance Speech and Language Therapist
Owl Centre
12.2019 - 03.2024
- Working within the stammering clinic using Palin PCI
- Working within the ASD projects carrying out Developmental histories and ADOS
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
London Northwest NHS Healthcare
10.2015 - 01.2020
- Effectively managing a caseload of 80 children within a mainstream schools setting
- Working with a wide range of children aged 4‐11 within mainstream school settings; monolingual and bilingual children with and without an EHCP who have Communication Needs, including Selective Mutism and ASD
- Delivered a range of therapeutic interventions in groups and 1:1 contexts to school staff and parents, including the ‘sliding in’ and ‘shaping’ technique for Selective Mutism, Intensive Interaction, Colourful Semantics, the Word Aware vocabulary approach, Alex Kelly social skill programmes and Gina Davies’ Attention Autism groups
- Successfully managing and prioritising a large caseload across 6 schools, regularly liaising with school staff and onward referral to CAMHS, Paediatrician, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, ENT, The Nuffield Dyspraxia Centre
- Trained staff and parents on Speech, language and communication needs, specifically using the service’s Communication Keys resource, in Colourful Semantics, Selective Mutism, delivering successful therapy, and early language enrichment
- Covering clinical work for the under‐fives team in clinic; reviews and initial assessments
- Set up and ran early years transition workshops for parents of children moving from clinic provision to mainstream school provision
- Managed placements for students
- Successfully managing a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant providing therapy blocks in schools.
Teaching Assistant
Oaklands Special Needs School
02.2011 - 08.2012
- Support students learning in context of fostering independence and self-esteem e.g
- Modelling use of language, facilitating discussions and interactions, encouraging self-reflection
- Promote effective communication and social skills
- Support the use of PECS and Makaton in the Classroom
- Implement IEP’S including communication targets as recommended by the speech therapist
- Assist in the personal, social and emotional development of self-esteem
- Support the implementation of strategies in behaviour management.
Learning Support Assistant
Southwark Park School
02.2010 - 09.2010
- Responsible for supporting a non-verbal child in Reception
- Implement an hourly session of speech therapy daily as recommended by the speech therapist
- Update and use the visual communication book when necessary
- Introduce new Makaton signs and use them regularly in communication
- Assisting Play worker with creative activities, games, drama, cooking, outings or talking to children about his/her worries
- Responsible for running regular language groups with different classes as recommended by the speech therapist.
Teaching Assistant & EAL Supporter
Al-Sadiq & Al-Zahra School
09.2009 - 12.2009
- Assist in the implementation of IEP’S for students and help monitor their progress
- Support students with behavioural or emotional problems and help develop their social skills
- Involved in organisation and participation of school events and school trips
- Liaise with parents about students work, progress and various issues
- Support EAL tutor in regular one-to-one sessions with students
- Assist in planning and preparation of resources for EAL sessions
- Assess students and record observations for each EAL session.
Volunteer
WF Autistic Day Care Centre (Tanzania)
08.2009 - 09.2009
- Assist and follow through in the implementation of programmes and strategies recommended by therapists
- Support therapists in collection and preparation of resources for sessions
- Observed therapists use various therapy techniques e.g
- Minimal pair therapy
- Assist teachers in supervision of children during play, social activities and outings
- Participate in meetings and training sessions.
Education
Bsc (Hons) 2:1 in Speech and Language Therapy -
Birmingham City University
Bsc (Hons) 2:1 in Psychology -
University of Derby
A levels in Chemistry, Biology, English Language and English Literature. Nine GCSE’s including Mathematics and English. -
West London College
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Gujarati
Proficient
C2
Urdu
Proficient
C2
Hindi
Proficient
C2
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Short Courses And Training
- ADOS Training module 1-4
- Michael Palin PCI Stammering
- Intensive Interaction Dave Hewett
- Selective Mutism- Maggie Johnson
- Social Skills- Talkabout Alex Kelly
- Word Aware- Steven Parsons
- Lis'n Tell Interactive Storytelling- Louise Coigley
- Makaton Signing- Makaton Charity
- Attention Autism- Gina Davies
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
References
Full details of referees provided upon request.
Timeline
Independent Speech and Language therapist
03.2020 - Current
Free Lance Speech and Language Therapist
Owl Centre
12.2019 - 03.2024
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
London Northwest NHS Healthcare
10.2015 - 01.2020
Teaching Assistant
Oaklands Special Needs School
02.2011 - 08.2012
Learning Support Assistant
Southwark Park School
02.2010 - 09.2010
Teaching Assistant & EAL Supporter
Al-Sadiq & Al-Zahra School
09.2009 - 12.2009
Volunteer
WF Autistic Day Care Centre (Tanzania)
08.2009 - 09.2009
Bsc (Hons) 2:1 in Speech and Language Therapy -
Birmingham City University
Bsc (Hons) 2:1 in Psychology -
University of Derby
A levels in Chemistry, Biology, English Language and English Literature. Nine GCSE’s including Mathematics and English. -
West London College
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