Hello! I'm Susanna J. Smith, BSc, a Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) for preschool children.

Based in Harold Wood, Essex, the Chattercubs clinic is open Monday to Thursday, during preschool hours (term-time only).

With a wealth of experience and extensive training in speech and language therapy, and how a child’s sensory needs impact communication, I specialise in helping preschoolers with communication and language challenges. At Chattercubs, I offer holistic therapy, taking into consideration your child’s sensory, communication, and language needs to provide truly personalised care.

At Chattercubs, we are committed to providing a neurodiverse-affirming practice that helps preschool children embrace their unique forms of communication and advocate for their needs and interests.

The therapy room belongs to the child. They choose what and how to engage with the toys, and Susanna joins them in their chosen activity, following their lead while introducing strategies to support communication and language development.

Parents are encouraged to get involved in the therapy and assist with any regulation needs their child may have during the session. At the end of each session, there is a debrief where strategies and successes are discussed with parents, empowering them to continue practicing at home.

Every parent wants the best for their child, and strong communication skills are key for making friends, succeeding academically, and supporting emotional well-being.

As a mum of two, I understand the challenges of parenthood firsthand. My oldest child, L, experienced delays in speech and language development—so if you’re worried, relax! :)

I’m sharing this because no matter who you are or what you know, some children simply take longer to learn language, use spoken words, or develop speech sounds. The most important thing is recognising your child’s needs and seeking professional support as early as possible.

I’ve personally navigated fitting speech and language activities into daily life, and I encourage you to do the same. My advice: Schedule and invest time—find moments in your daily routine to work on therapy. Progress happens when a child gets regular opportunities to practice in fun, engaging ways.