Talia Rocha
SaLT
M.Sc Speech and Language Sciences
Hello, my name is Talia – I graduated from UCL with a Master’s in Speech and Language Sciences in October 2018. Before this, I studied for a BA in Linguistics (graduated in July 2014) and then worked as a Learning Support Assistant in nurseries and primary schools. I’ve had experience in various settings, including SEN schools, mainstream schools, and clinic-settings.
At Words First, I am a Clinical Specialist in Stammering and work mainly within secondary school. I have grown up with relatives who stammer, so am always looking to expand my knowledge in this area – I have attended training conducted by the Michael Palin Centre and the Fluency Trust. Having a clinical specialism in stammering means that I will lead the clinical pathway within the company in this area, expanding other therapists’ knowledge of fluency assessment, intervention, and current research. I have also set up stammering groups for secondary-aged pupils, which has been incredibly fun and interesting to develop!
Outside of work, I enjoy baking weird and wonderful cakes (fun fact: my first ever job was working in a kitchen as a pastry chef!), building models, and reading. Although fantasy books will always have a big place in my heart, a book that has really impacted on my life is ‘This is Going to Hurt’ by Adam Kay, as it opened up an interest in autobiographical books about the medical field, which are always really interesting! These books have made me realise just how much I love and am interested in listening to other people’s stories, whether they be those of joy, compassion, or even sadness. This has made me realise how everyone can be tied together by stories, and I will always make it a point in my SALT sessions to share and listen to them!
