Mrs Meg Dodd, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Co-Founder of ConnectBlue
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration number: SL23677
Member of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Member of The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice
Meg works as a consultant Speech and Language Therapist to The National Autistic Society, assessing and diagnosing children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other related conditions. She has worked within specialist multi-disciplinary diagnostic clinics both privately and within the NHS. Meg qualified in 2007 as an SLT, and has extensive experience working with children and young adults with a range of speech and language difficulties including speech and language delay and disorder, social skill difficulties, selective mutism and stammering.
Meg is trained in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS); the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO); and the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA). She previously worked as lead SLT for Social Communication in Medway Community Healthcare, running joint diagnostic clinics, providing therapy for children as well as training and advice for schools and other professionals. She currently works for the National Autistic Society and through ConnectBlue.
Relevant Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology (London Southbank University); Post Graduate Diploma Speech and Language Therapy (City University); Trained in and licensed user of The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS); Trained in and licensed user of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Social & Communication Disorders (NAS Lorna Wing Centre for Autism, February 2017); Trained and licensed user of The Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (Newcastle University, October 2024).
Dr Jennifer Jackson, Chartered Clinical Psychologist
Co-Founder of ConnectBlue
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration number: PYL16731
British Psychological Society number: 456173
Jennifer is an independent Chartered Clinical Psychologist specialising in developmental disorders/conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities. She works across the lifespan, assessing children, young people and adults. She has over 16 years experience working in the NHS and with partner agencies such as Mencap. She is a consultant for the National Autistic Society. Jennifer undertakes assessments, consultation, training and therapeutic work. She works with individuals and families who are experiencing mental health problems, relationship difficulties or difficulties within the environment, which may result in challenging behaviour or distress. Jennifer is an authorised user of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Social Communication Disorders (DISCO) and the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA). She is also trained in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2). She has lectured at Canterbury Christ Church University and supervised a number of doctoral research projects.
Relevant Qualifications: BSc (Hons.) Psychology (Staffordshire University); MSc Applied Psychology (University of Surrey); Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (University of Leicester); Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy (Kings College London: Institute of Psychiatry). Trained and licensed user of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2; Pearson, October 2018); trained and licensed user of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Social & Communication Disorders (NAS Lorna Wing Centre for Autism, July 2011); and trained and licensed user of the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA; Newcastle University, October 2024) .
Kate Semmens Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration number: SL23217
Member of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: RC0024355
Kate is an Independent Speech and Language Therapist specialising in the field of Autism. Kate spent 10 years working within the NHS where she became the lead contact for Autism in the Swale Community Speech and Language Therapy team. Kate has extensive experience working with children with a range of different Speech and Language Difficulties, including Speech and Language delay and disorder, Selective Mutism, stammering and voice disorders. She continues to carry out wider Speech, Language and Communication assessment work in mainstream schools where she is often involved with children and families at the start of their Autism diagnostic journey.
Kate is trained in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). Kate works independently with the NHS Community Paediatrician team in Swale providing them with their ADOS and Social Communication assessments in the diagnosis of Autism. She works as a consultant for the National Autistic Society, assessing and diagnosing children and young people. Kate also provides assessments as an associate for Connect Blue.
Relevant Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Speech Sciences (University College London); Trained in and licensed user of The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) 2014; Trained in and licensed user of the Diagnostic Interview for Social & Communication Disorders (NAS Lorna Wing Centre for Autism, March 2023).