A SPEECH and language therapist from has been praised for helping to unlock the potential of a girl who was struggling with a severe stammer.

Six-year-old Isabelle Taylor, from Billinge, started working with Laura Kilgannon just under a year ago and has now been clear of the condition for a few months.

Laura, who works for The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service in St Helens, was praised by Isabelle’s mother Nicky Taylor for going “the extra mile”.

She visited Isabelle in school, talked to her teachers about ways of supporting her learning and speech and worked closely with her parents in order to help her development.

The key breakthrough came when Laura realised that it was Isabelle’s education that was affecting her speech, and not the other way round.

Isabelle was referred to an educational psychologist, who confirmed she found difficulty processing and remembering information, which in turn affected her fluency and ability to communicate.

Her school has been provided with ways of improving Isabelle’s speech while also assisting her with her reading and writing skills.

Laura said: “She is a little girl with amazing potential, and being part of the process to unlock that potential is the reason I love the work that I do.”

The service which Laura is a part of, provided as part of Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, aims to help children with their education, while minimising their disability.

A key part of their work is involvement with the entire children’s workforce in both the private and voluntary sector to enhance patients’ communication in all areas of their lives.