RWB Speech and Language Therapy Services

Richard Boak


Specialisms: Autism and Social Communication, Acquired Neurological Impairments

Home base: Jersey, Channel Islands

Qualifications: BSc Speech Pathology and Language Therapy (1997)



Current employment

Senior Speech and Language Therapist with specialism in autism employed by Health and Social Services in Jersey.
Providing assessment, therapy and consultation to young people, their families and other professionals. Member of the multi disciplinary team in Jersey involved in the diagnosis of autism and disorders of social communication.

Work history

I have worked predominantly with children and young people in community and special needs settings.
I have extensive experience in assessing and developing treatment plans for children with:

• Specific Language impairment.
• Social Communication difficulties.
• Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
• Acquired neurological impairment including traumatic brain injury.
• Articulation difficulties including dyspraxia

I am trained in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) which I have used to inform autism assessments. I have practical experience in the implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the TEACCH approach. I am also trained in the use of the SCERTS® Model which targets social competence and emotional regulation in young people with ASD and associated difficulties.

I have worked as a mentor and trainer for education staff studying for nationally accredited qualifications relevant to autism (BILD). I have developed and delivered a wide range of training packages to parents, Health, Education and the Probation service including police and prison staff.

I have worked with young people with acquired neurological impairments including traumatic brain injury. This has involved assessing their post injury speech, language and communication needs, developing treatment plans and working with other relevant professionals to make sure the necessary support is in place at home and school.

Many of the young people on my caseload present with complex difficulties therefore this necessitates the need for expertise in analytical assessment as well as highly developed report writing skills.

I am frequently asked to inform records of educational need for children with significant speech, language and communication difficulties.

I am keenly interested in the use of new technologies to support individuals with communication difficulties and have led workshops at Apple training events.

Special interest / expertise
Autism. Augmentative Aids for Communication (AAC). Traumatic Brain Injury. Specific language impairment.

HCPC: SL07112
RCSLT: Member