Building Richer Lives Through Communication
ATtherapy was founded in 2012 by Clinical Directors Hayley Power and Andrea Sharples to provide their expertise to people with speech, language and communication and/or swallowing problems and help them build richer lives through communication.
Hayley and Andrea have worked together since 1998, first at Pennine Care NHS and later at ACE Centre North as Specialist Speech and Language Therapists. With similar professional interests and shared values, they recognised there was an important need for specialist speech and language therapy for people with complex needs and joined forces to launch ATtherapy.
Andrea Sharples
Clinical Director
Andrea has significant experience as a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working with individuals who require Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT). She worked within the assessment and training team at ACE Centre North and has also worked as an Assistive Technology Assessor at the University of Manchester. She provided training on AAC at the International School of Brussels, to AT and AAC professionals in Hong Kong, and developed a Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) certified professional scheme across the UK. Andrea carried out her LAMP training with the founders of LAMP in the US. Andrea is an experienced trainer in AAC and AT mplementation including good practice in young children with complex communication difficulties and AAC and literacy. Andrea has visiting academic status at Manchester Metropolitan University and presents at national and international conferences including Communication Matters, ISAAC and AAC CENs. Andrea is a deputy trustee of Communication Matters, the UK chapter of ISAAC.
Hayley Power
Clinical Director
Hayley has extensive experience as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS and has led teams in complex needs, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems and Dysphagia. She worked for ACE Centre North as part of the assessment and training team and is a highly experienced trainer, having delivered AAC implementation training at the International School of Brussels, developed a Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) scheme across the UK, and developed specialist courses for parents of pre-school children with complex communication difficulties. Hayley carried out her LAMP training with the founders of LAMP in Texas. Hayley has presented at national and international conferences including Communication Matters, Autism Today Conference, and the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) network.
Hayley has qualifications and experience in management and in May 2023 has joined South Manchester Headway as a committee member.
ATtherapy is a specialist Speech and Language Therapy and Assistive Technology service. We support people of all ages with their speech, language, communication, and technology needs.
As leading experts in communication difficulties resulting from birth injuries or acquired brain injuries later in life, we provide tailored support through our team of highly skilled therapists. Our specialists work with individuals who have alternative or augmentative communication needs, social, emotional, and mental health challenges related to brain injury, dysphagia, and language or motor speech difficulties.
In addition, our dedicated Assistive Technology team supports people use technology to enhance education, leisure, and everyday living. Our innovative team of ATmentors, who themselves use AAC, inspire and empower others on their journey toward confident and independent communication.
Learn more about our services, who we work with, and read testimonials from people we’ve supported.