- RCSLT registered
- Highly specialist SLTs
- Multidisciplinary team
- Neuroaffirming approach
- Cramlington, Northumberland
Meet our team
A small team of specialists who genuinely care - and have the qualifications and experience to back it up. Every clinician who works at Speech Stuff is registered with their relevant professional body.
Julie Cota - Founder · Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist & Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner
Julie founded Speech Stuff after recognising a gap in joined-up, neuroaffirming assessment and therapy services for children in the North East. She brings specialist expertise in autism, sensory integration and total communication approaches.
With years of experience as a Highly Specialist SLT, Julie has worked with hundreds of families across Northumberland and the wider North East, supporting children with complex communication needs and their families.
✓ RCSLT registered
✓ HCPC registered
✓ Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner
✓ Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
✓ DBS checked
Louise Allport · Specialist Speech & 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 is currently completing her Sensory Inclusion Facilitator training, further strengthening her sensory‑informed practice.
✓ RCSLT registered
✓ HCPC registered
✓ Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
✓ DBS checked
Julie Curtis - Autism 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
Maureen Carr - Office Manager
Maureen is the organisational heart of the team. She manages admin, bookings, and accounts with care and attention to detail. Families know her as the friendly, steady presence who keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
✓ DBS checked
Rebecca Dennis · Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
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
Beth McKie - Speech & Language Therapy Assistant
Beth is often one of the first welcoming faces families meet at The Hive. Alongside supporting reception, she also delivers assistant‑led therapy sessions and works closely with the team to create calm, child‑friendly environments. As an autistic team member, she brings a valuable perspective and understanding of sensory and communication differences.
She brings her Sensory Inclusion Facilitator training into her work, helping to recognise and respond to children’s sensory needs so they feel comfortable, regulated, and ready to engage. Beth’s warm, supportive approach helps children feel safe, relaxed, and ready to play and communicate.
✓ Holds a Sensory Integration Facilitator Certificate
✓ Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
✓ DBS checked
Samantha Vaughan - Specialist 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
✓ Sensory Integration Practitioner
✓ Specialist Occupational Therapist
✓ DBS checked
Tony Cota - Non-Clinical Director and Learning Resources Developer
Tony is the Non‑Clinical Director, leading on learning resources and creative development. He brings a strong background in technology and application development, alongside a passion for creating engaging, accessible digital and mixed‑media resources.
With a love for all things creative - from drawing and painting to educational content - Tony plays a key role in shaping the resources used across the service. He has been part of the journey since Speech Stuff began, helping bring ideas to life and supporting the growth of the service.
✓ DBS checked