About

Meet Catherine Heaton-Tabard Founder of Sunny SLT

Hello, I’m Catherine, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with over 22 years of experience working with children aged 2 to 18.

Since qualifying, I’ve worked across NHS trusts in the North West and independently across Cheshire, Halton, and St. Helens. I provide reliable, evidence-based assessment, therapy, and report writing services in clinics, schools, and community settings.

I hold a license to practise from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), and I’m a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and have an enhanced DBS certificate. I am a qualified English teacher and have a Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

I am also a certified Elklan tutor, having completed the Total Training Package (TTP) which means that I am licensed to deliver Elklan’s evidence-based courses to others working with children and young people. Elklan is a UK-based training organisation that provides speech, language, and communication training for: teachers and teaching assistants, early years practitioners, parents and carers and health professionals. Their courses are listed on the What Works database and are widely used in schools and settings to support children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

Specialist Training & Approaches

  • Developmental Language Disorder – Moor House Institute

  • Colourful Semantics – Moor House Institute

  • Shape Coding – Moor House Institute

  • Gestalt Language Processing – RCSLT, Elklan

  • Autistic Children and Young People – Elklan

  • Speech and Language Support for 0-3 – Elklan

  • Speech and Language Support for 3-5 – Elklan

  • Speech and Language Support for 5-11 – Elklan

  • Phonological Awareness Training – NAPA and NIPA University of Newcastle

Language & Communication:

  • LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment)

  • Stammering – Michael Palin Centre and Swindon Packs

  • Nuffield Programme for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Makaton Levels 1 & 2

  • Cued Articulation

  • AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): Experienced in introducing and supporting AAC systems tailored to individual needs, from low-tech visuals to high-tech speech-generating devices.

Speech & Motor Planning:

I regularly integrate technology to enhance learning and engagement, including:

  • Clicker

  • Nearpod

  • Quizlet

  • Google School

  • Microsoft Windows

  • Touch-type platforms

  • We have a specialist EHCP Advisor who is experienced in writing EHCPs, applying the law, and representing clients in tribunal appeals.

Digital Tools & Education:

WHO WE WORK WITH

We support children from 2 to 16 years old who are experiencing any form of speech, language and communication difficulties including:

  • Attention and Listening difficulties

  • Understanding language difficulties

  • Processing Language and auditory memory difficulties

  • Higher level language difficulties (inferencing, prediction and non-literal language).

  • Difficulties with the use of language skills such as vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar

  • Word retrieval difficulties

  • Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS previously Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia DVD)

  • Delayed or disordered speech sound production and articulation difficulties

  • Low phonological awareness

  • Social communication difficulties (Autism and ADHD)

  • Stammering

  • Learning disabilities

  • Executive function difficulties