Publish date: 19 August 2025
(photo: Left to right – Epti and her mum)
When Epti Mohamed first arrived at the Hounslow Learning Disability Service at the Heart of Hounslow a couple of years ago, she was fully dependent on her mum and found it challenging to communicate her needs and fully express herself. She began attending speech and language therapy sessions led by specialist therapists Yasmin Bandali and Catherine Wyle. What followed was a remarkable transformation.
Through regular, tailored support, Epti’s communication skills steadily improved. Using speech, sign language, visuals, electronic aids, and intensive interaction, Epti can now express herself confidently in both English and Arabic, her mother tongue.
However, the impact goes far beyond language.
Epti’s newfound confidence has elevated her quality of life and expanded her social connections. She now travels independently by bus to attend her speech and language therapy sessions, has formed meaningful friendships in group therapy, and now delivers ‘signing’ training (use of basic signs taken from Makaton signs to support spoken language) to help other service users with learning disabilities.
Ekhlas Salim - Epti’s mum said: "Epti’s English and Arabic have improved. She is communicating better in both languages. She’s more confident and excited to visit the Hounslow learning disabilities team.
“Every week she attends her speech and language therapy sessions; she enjoys her learning, and is now helping to provide 'signing' training with the speech and language therapists.
“I met many parents here at Heart of Hounslow with my daughter who have children with learning disabilities and I found a space where I feel supported.
“My advice to parents is be patient, talk nicely to your child, stay calm and take the time to understand what your child wants and needs. Our relationship as mother and daughter has improved, we understand each other better.”
The service currently supports 360 adults with learning disabilities across Hounslow, with numbers steadily rising each year. It’s estimated across London that around 155,000 adults are living with learning disabilities. Epti has joined the team’s efforts to strengthen communication skills in the local community by co delivering ‘signing’ training.
Building on this initiative, Yasmin and Catherine have been working closely with residential care homes in Hounslow to deliver 'signing' training to adults with learning disabilities supported by Epti and service user Yumnah. Their collaborative approach recently led to Epti and Yumnah leading a peer-led session at Mulberries care home in Hounslow.
Reflecting on the session Epti said: “When I do the 'signing' training, I feel good, happy and confident and would like try to do more training sessions.”
Yasmin Bandali Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist said:
“One of our aims in speech and language therapy is to support communication and we advocate for a ‘Total Communication’ approach, which values and celebrates using all forms of communication. Whether through speech, sign, visuals, electronic aids or approaches like intensive interaction, every method has value.
“The first time we did ‘signing’ training, staff were astonished that service users could deliver 'signing' training and I think it’s because people don’t realise how much people with learning disabilities are able to do. We just need to give people an opportunity to participate and do many different things like training.
“I think when a service user delivers training, it hits home much harder as the message is understood much clearer and it has a greater impact.”
Epti’s communication journey is an example of how inclusive, person centred care can help individuals and their families in our community not just cope, but truly thrive demonstrating the vital role our services play in their approach to joined up care.
If Epti’s story has resonated with you, we invite you to take the next step in supporting inclusive health care and tackling health inequalities by completing the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. This important training will help to deepen your understanding of learning disabilities and autism and inclusivity.