OUR TEAM
The multidisciplinary team behind your assessment
Julie CotaSenior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner · Founder of Speech Stuff
Julie is an autistic Speech and Language Therapist, bringing both personal and professional insight into sensory needs, communication differences, and the lived experience of neurodivergence. She is deeply committed to providing compassionate, neurodiversity‑affirming support for children and families.
She qualified in 2011 after training at Newcastle University and has experience across the North East and Yorkshire in NHS and education settings. Her areas of interest include early language development, autism, Gestalt Language Development, speech sound difficulties, and selective mutism.
Julie holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Speech Sound Difficulties and a Postgraduate Diploma in Sensory Integration, and is an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner. She leads the service with a strong focus on care, connection, and understanding, supporting families through assessment and therapy, including multidisciplinary autism assessments.
- ✓ RCSLT registered
- ✓ HCPC registered
- ✓ ASLTIP Member
- ✓ Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner
- ✓ Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
- ✓ ADOS & ADI‑R trained
- ✓ DBS checked
Julie CurtisAutism Nurse Consultant
Julie brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and a thoughtful, person‑centred approach to assessments, helping to build a clear and holistic understanding of each individual’s strengths and differences. Her experience and expertise play an important role in ensuring assessments are thorough, supportive, and meaningful for families.
She is ADOS and ADI‑R trained, with many years of experience carrying out autism assessments with children, young people, and adults.
- ✓ NMC registered
- ✓ Autism Nurse Consultant
- ✓ ADOS & ADI‑R trained
- ✓ DBS checked
Samantha VaughanSpecialist Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner
Samantha is a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner, with extensive experience working within multidisciplinary teams, supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Samantha brings a thoughtful, holistic approach, drawing on her sensory integration expertise to help build a deeper understanding of each child’s strengths and needs. Her contribution to the assessment process supports meaningful, practical recommendations for families.
- ✓ RCOT registered
- ✓ HCPC registered
- ✓ Specialist Occupational Therapist
- ✓ Sensory Integration Practitioner
- ✓ DBS checked
Shauna GarrityHighly Specialist Occupational Therapist and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner
Shauna has been a practising Occupational Therapist for over 10 years within Special Needs Education. She has a profound understanding of how to support the needs of children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing difficulties.
Shauna is most passionate about supporting the sensory needs of children with complex needs and is an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner. She is a confident administrator of sensory‑based equipment and has a breadth of experience in the provision of sensory assessments and interventions for young people.
Shauna thrives on building therapeutic rapport with others and working to provide a holistic approach to support children and young people to live a happy and meaningful life.
- ✓ RCOT registered
- ✓ HCPC registered
- ✓ Highly Specialised Occupational Therapist
- ✓ Sensory Integration Education Gold Membership & Workplace Clinical Mentor
- ✓ DBS checked
Louise AllportSpecialist Speech and Language Therapist
Louise joined the team in 2026 and brings over 30 years of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist, working across mainstream and specialist settings with children and young people aged 0-19. She has extensive experience supporting autistic children and young people, as well as those with complex communication needs.
Louise has a strong background in multidisciplinary working and her areas of expertise include autism, positive behaviour support, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
She is passionate about improving quality of life through meaningful, functional communication and takes a thoughtful, outcomes‑focused approach to assessment and support. Louise holds a Sensory Inclusion Facilitator certificate, further strengthening her sensory‑informed practice.
- ✓ RCSLT registered
- ✓ HCPC registered
- ✓ Holds a Sensory Integration Facilitator Certificate
- ✓ Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
- ✓ ADOS trained
- ✓ DBS checked
Rebecca DennisSpecialist Speech and Language Therapist
Rebecca joined the team in 2025 and brings over six years of experience working in the NHS with children from birth through to secondary school age. She also has a background in education, having previously worked as a Primary School Teacher in Nursery and Reception.
Rebecca has a special interest in early language development and in supporting children with speech sound difficulties and stammering. She is passionate about helping children become confident communicators through fun, play‑based, child‑led sessions.
Alongside her clinical experience, Rebecca holds a Sensory Inclusion Facilitator certificate, supporting her to recognise sensory needs and adapt sessions so children feel regulated and ready to engage. Her calm, friendly approach helps children feel safe, relaxed, and ready to play and communicate.
- ✓ RCSLT registered
- ✓ HCPC registered
- ✓ Holds a Sensory Integration Facilitator Certificate
- ✓ Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
- ✓ DBS checked