Chevonne Du Plessis
SaLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL37479
Hello, my name is Chevonne.
I studied at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy in 2013. While working full-time in hospitals and specialist schools across Cape Town, I also completed my MSc in Speech-Language Pathology (cum laude) at the University of Cape Town before moving to the UK in 2019.
In 2020, I completed a PG Diploma in Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology (with distinction) at University College London and joined Words First that same year.
I have a particular interest in neurodevelopmental differences, including Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and I am a published researcher in this field. I currently work across two schools, supporting students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Alongside my school-based work, I lead the Clinical Pathway for ADHD at Words First, supporting therapists, schools, neurodivergent young people and their families to develop their understanding of ADHD and neurodiversity-affirming practice. I am also ADOS-trained and contribute to autism assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team.
The Words First value that resonates most with me is being child-centred. I believe that every child and young person should be an active and equal partner in their own intervention, with their strengths, needs and perspectives at the heart of the process. As a neurodivergent clinician myself, I particularly value helping students understand and embrace their own neurodiversity, while advocating for greater awareness, acceptance and inclusion across the settings in which I work.
