KERIANNE Richards is a Speech and Language Therapist whose focus is centred on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC). She holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and is currently supervising an ASD clinic.
In her current role, her expertise supports developing and delivering specialised services for individuals with ASD, commonly referred to as Autism.

“I oversee the clinic’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that therapeutic interventions are delivered effectively and that the needs of both patients and staff are met. My leadership helps to create a supportive and efficient environment, fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams and ensuring that families receive the best possible support,” she said.
Richards brings a unique blend of business acumen and clinical insight to the job, and her advanced education in healthcare management has equipped her with strategic and operational skills crucial for running an effective clinic.

“This background allows me to efficiently manage resources, optimise clinic operations, and implement best practices to ensure high-quality care,” she said.
She added that the combination of healthcare management skills and hands-on experience with ASD makes her well-positioned to drive improvements, advocate for patient needs, and contribute to the broader field of autism care.

Richards told the Pepperpot Magazine that she likes her job as a speech therapist working with ASD children, which causes her to make a significant impact on their communication skills, which can greatly enhance their quality of life and their ability to connect with others.
She reported that seeing these children’s progress, no matter how small, can be incredibly fulfilling.

Additionally, working with autistic children often requires creativity and adaptability, which can make the experience more engaging and stimulating.
Richards noted that each child is unique, so you can continually learn and develop new strategies tailored to their individual needs.
“Finally, building strong, trusting relationships with the children and their families can be immensely gratifying, as you support them in reaching their communication goals and celebrating their achievements. This is why it is important for the speech, occupational and physical therapist to work together with ASD children,” she said.

Richards related that for children on the autism spectrum, coordinated efforts from speech, occupational, and physical therapists are crucial because these areas of therapy address different but interconnected aspects of their development and daily functioning.
She explained that Speech Therapy focuses on improving communication skills, which is vital for social interaction and academic success. Occupational Therapy helps with fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living activities, enabling greater independence and participation in everyday tasks.

Richards added that Physical Therapy addresses gross motor skills, coordination, and physical strength, which are essential for overall mobility and physical health.
“When these therapies are integrated, they can provide a comprehensive approach that supports the child’s overall development more effectively. Coordination among therapists ensures that strategies are consistent and complementary, leading to more cohesive and holistic progress. This teamwork can help address multiple areas of need simultaneously, providing a more streamlined and effective intervention for the child,” she said.
The 32-year-old city girl told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been a Rehabilitation Assistant from 2009 to 2015 and a Speech Therapist from 2018 to date.

She stated that her journey in that field of work began when she was selected for work-study while attending St. John’s College at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in the Physical Therapy Department in 2008.
Richards pointed out that she liked that type of work, which proved to be fulfilling for her. After high school, she enrolled in a programme with the Ministry of Health from 2009 to 2011 and became certified as a rehabilitation assistant.

The healthcare specialist stated that the ASD Clinic was established after COVID-19 since there was a need for a specialised department to assist children who had been shut in for years during the pandemic with little to no social interactions.
She explained that for the two-year period of development, children were schooled via on-screen sessions from their homes with one-way communication, and no one was interacting with them regularly. As such, they developed an expressive disorder.

Richards disclosed that they have seen an increase in ASD in many children during this time after the pandemic, and the clinic is seeing even more new patients.
Children are fully diagnosed by the GPHC Paediatric Psychology doctor and then forwarded to the PRRC for sessions.
Richards has been at PRRC for the past four years, and she advocates for pre-school education for two years to build a solid foundation in language and social interactions so that she can engage with other children before attending nursery school.
She disclosed that children with that kind of exposure at an early age makes them confident to become independent.