Our Origin Story

From SaLT, to literacy and now to multi-disciplinary...
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After completing a BSc (hons) in Speech and Language Therapy in 2001, Amanda worked in the UK (Southend-on-Sea and Barking and Dagenham) and then at a school for children with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties in a disadvantage community in South Africa. It was here that she noticed no-one was addressing the literacy needs of the children with whom she worked – there was no direct literacy intervention in place. Amanda then made one (of many!) big mistakes – she thought that, given the fact that she could read and given her passion to help, that she would ‘just be able to teach children to read, how hard could it be?’!.  Little did she know that from this mistake, Words First was born – it lead to an insatiable appetite (and hyperfocus!) to understand how children learn to read, which in turn lead to a Masters Degree in SaLT and a few years later a Masters Degree in Education (specialising in dyslexia). Amanda completed BOTH these Master’s degree while working full time in schools.

With her background in Speech and Language and inspired by the incredible work of Professor Maryanne Wolf (who trained Amanda, in Boston in 2006 in the first cohort of RAVE-O teachers) and Patricia Bowers (and their Double Deific article in 1999), she created an approach to linking language and literacy in mainstream schools. In 2009, after many failed attempts to find a role that would allow her to use her skills across language and literacy, Amanda made the decision to jump feet first into her little company called Words First. She wanted to see if there was anyone else ‘out there’ and in schools who saw things the way she did…Amanda’s only goal at this stage was to support as many children as possible with their language and literacy development. Doing private work with families around South London (and often bringing her little baby along with her!), she was eventually noticed by Ms Ryan at one school in Sutton. Ms Ryan gave Amanda her first big break with the words ‘I’ve secured one day a week now let’s see what you can do!’ 

Amanda could never have predicted the demand for her language and literacy approach and even when there were more SaLTs than roles (yes, there was a time when there was a SURPLUS of SaLTs!!), Words First grew year on year through word of mouth and outstanding results – one SENCO talking to another SENCO. However, if you know Amanda, you will know she never stops thinking about how Words First can improve and in 2022, she welcomed 12 Occupational Therapists, an Educational Psychologist, a Play Therapist and a Counsellor into the team. Expanding into a multi-disciplinary service has catapaulted Words First into a new and exciting direction with a renewed vision to lead the field in inter-disciplinary practice. 

Amanda feels priviledged and honoured to lead this amazing team of professionals who have dedicated their lives to supporting children and young people.  

Enjoy reading the website and if you have any feedback, thoughts or ideas, Amanda would love to hear from you! 

Our Values

For our partnered schools, we always aim to:

Keep the student’s best interest at the heart of all our decisions. We seek to foster an approach based on a social rather than medical therapeutic model, that is neurodivergence affirming, and incorporates sensory integration whenever we can.

Only use assessments and interventions that have a solid research base and proven track record of success.

Use an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together knowledge and ideas from across our range of professionals to provide a holistic and well-rounded therapy service that maximises children’s potential.

Be as flexible as possible when it comes to supporting staff and children as we know that some days don’t always go according to plan, and we appreciate that the needs of students and schools can change over time.

If you belong to our team, this is what we’re about:

We treat everyone with respect and greatly value diversity. We love that we have therapists join us from all over the world and this reflects the diversity of our students’ backgrounds too. You will be treated with respect and dignity no matter your background, race, religion, culture, gender or sexuality.
We love to share ideas, resources, tips and strategies, and collaborate to solve problems and learn together. We love innovation and creative, forward-thinking therapists who value research and evidence-based practice.
There are clear and open channels of communication throughout our company and every person’s contribution is important to us. We want you to feel you can fully express your thoughts, offer feedback, be heard and ultimately feel valued as part of the Words First family.