Testimonials – Changing everyone's lives for the better

I first heard of Not Just Talking purely by chance, whilst looking at a newsletter sent home from school. I was amazed because the article described the problems I was having with my 7 year old daughter exactly! From the first moment I contacted Sioban, I knew she would be able to help us, she was so enthusiastic and reassuring. After only a few sessions everyone noticed such a difference in my daughter. She became much easier to reason with and alot calmer in situations where she would have been very stressed before. We have a way to go yet, but I am now excited at the prospects for my daughters future, whereas before there seemed little hope. If you feel Sioban could help your child, I urge you to grab this opportunity with both hands. It really does feel like someone has given us the key to a once locked door.

Mother of 7 year old girl, mainstream school

Sioban was the first person who really understood our son’s difficulties – Our jaws dropped as we read the “How do I know my child needs help” page of her web site, as it described his problems so well. Up to that point he had had a succession of “helpers” from age 3 onwards, with little to show for it (other than a large collection of paid invoices!). Since Sioban started having 1:1 sessions with him, he has made great progress in overcoming his communication difficulties. Traditional speech and language therapy, by contrast, was not helping. He himself recognises that Sioban’s help has made a big difference. He now communicates much more effectively and appropriately with his peers – He now picks up non-verbal cues better and provides better information when describing his experiences to someone who was not there. Seeing him playing with a couple of friends is a delight, following sad early years when he was being left behind by his peers.

Parents of 11 year old boy, mainstream school

A huge thank you to Not Just Talking for helping, not just our son, but also us as parents. We now understand what was actually being processed when he listened or saw something. Before, we just took it for granted that he was processing as WE saw it. The difference, since you have been working with him, is fantastic - we have all moved forward a great deal.

Mother of 8 year old boy, mainstream school

Before I met Sioban I was very sceptical that anything could be achieved for my son who is an Aspergers sufferer especially as it would take only 6 sessions and he was in a very frail emotional state and spiralling ever downwards. Well I had to eat my words. The change in my son’s understanding of his fellow human beings… of situations around him and his empathy for others was remarkable. Not Just Talking has given us so much hope and support not just for my son but his tutors who have also benefited from intervention and training by Sioban as well as his parents. The support is on going and is adapted to the need of the child.

Mother of 14 year old boy, specialist provision

Thank you for all you have done for the school and some of its pupils this year. You have given us a different insight into social communication difficulties; one that has seen some speedy results.

SENCO at Private School

My son can talk, has an excellent vocabulary and reading ability well above his age. However, he was somehow “different”. His communication difficulties caused unwanted social isolation and anguish. These problems could not be addressed or resolved by the educational or medical professions - since neither could quite determine the underlying cause. No convenient label applied. Not Just Talking provided an accurate and enlightening analysis. Many of my son’s difficulties were due to his poor perception of non-verbal communication. It was reassuring to know that help was available. The company supplied one-to-one intervention with an excellent teacher and significant progress has been made. It is such a joy and relief to see him becoming a much happier and more confident child.
Mother of 13 year old boy, mainstream school

I cannot thank Sioban enough, because without her expertise maybe I would not have Jason here today. Jason has been transformed from a very depressed suicidal child into a happy and confident young man.
Mother of 15 year old boy, special unit

I would certainly recommend having an assessment with Not Just Talking to any parent with concerns about their child. Sioban’s intervention with our child has made our family life much easier and our precious weekends much more enjoyable.
Mother of boy in special education

Thank you for the wonderful session you ran this week. All the staff have been talking about it and saying how useful they found it and how easily you delivered the information to them.
Headteacher in mainstream school

We have you on a pedestal because you keep positive and focussed on the child and believe that they will communicate more effectively and participate in everyday activities more successfully.
Education Officer (SEN)

From the moment we got in touch with Sioban at Not Just Talking our lives got easier. For the first time someone agreed with us that our son had some communication difficulties as opposed to just being a boy with a boisterous outlook. The great thing was that Sioban was very sure she could make a difference from the beginning and she certainly has. After 5 sessions our son was more likely to listen to us and understood about better information giving. After 10 sessions we noticed it was much easier to reason with him and discipline him.
Parent of 9 year old boy, mainstream school

I am so happy with how John is doing. His teacher is very happy with him and John is almost admitting to enjoying school!
Mother of 8 year old boy, mainstream school