Our presenters

Leigh Cohen (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Northwestern University Speech, Language, and Learning Program. She specialises in paediatric motor speech and neurogenic communication disorders and is certified in LSVT LOUD for KIDS, LSVT LOUD, and MBSImP.

Leigh integrates motor learning, sensory regulation, and play-based therapy to support children with complex communication needs. As a clinician, educator, and parent, she emphasises family- centred, culturally responsive care. Her clinical teaching and community partnerships help children build confidence, improve intelligibility, and meaningfully connect with family, peers, and the world around them through evidence-based paediatric voice and communication intervention programs.

Disclosures: Ms Cohen receives lecture honoraria from LSVT Global, Inc. and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University, where she leads LSVT LOUD for KIDS clinical services and graduate student training in collaboration with community partners such as GiGi’s Playhouse.

LSVT Global grew out of a deep commitment to develop scientifically rigorous speech and movement treatments that improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and others with neuromotor conditions across the lifespan. Early on, they made it their mission to train clinicians globally to achieve excellence in providing these therapies to improve the lives of adults and children with neurological conditions.

The LSVT Global Faculty includes specialist clinicians who train speech, physical and occupational therapists around the world. You can find out more about them here.

Maeve Lappin has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) for over 20 years, both in the NHS and in independent practice in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Australia. Maeve’s clinical experience focused mainly on children presenting with a range of speech, language and communication needs in educational settings. As well as direct intervention, Maeve has over 20 years of experience delivering training to caregivers and education staff in speech, language and communication needs. For 17 years, Maeve Lappin worked as a Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at Ulster University, combining this with clinical work. Key teaching and learning areas encompassed neurodevelopmental disorders and stammering across the lifespan.

Maeve supports clients with or without communication differences who have become stuck in their lives. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a strong behavioural underpinning is the predominant method of therapy. Maeve focuses heavily on thoughts, feelings and sensations surrounding communication differences and equips the client to relate to these in a more adaptable way. Broadening out the actions of clients has been shown empirically to lessen both anxiety and avoidance behaviour, and as a result, bring more purpose and meaning to daily living. Maeve specialises in helping clients who stammer or who have selective mutism.

Maggie Johnson is widely recognised as a UK expert in Selective Mutism and has contributed to the Primary National Strategy for children with special educational needs (DfES 2005) and Communicating Phonics (The Communication Trust 2012).

Maggie’s publications include:

• Helping Children Hang on To Your Every Word
• Active Listening for Active Learning (QEd Publications)
• The Selective Mutism Resource Manual (Routledge)
• Worry Wheels Anxiety Set (Sense Toys)
• Functional Language in the Classroom (Manchester Metropolitan University)