Maddi

Hi, I’m Maddisyn (Maddi) English, a Speech and Language Therapist and co-founder of Onyx Therapy. I have extensive experience working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals across a range of ages and settings, alongside a strong passion for delivering meaningful, accessible training to families, educators, SENCOs, carers, and workplaces on neurodiversity and its impact on day-to-day functioning. 

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Southern Cross University in Australia, I have worked across educational and clinical settings internationally. This includes working within specialist autism provision in the United Kingdom, autism resource provisions (ARPs), and supporting children and young people educated outside of mainstream settings, including those accessing Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS). A core part of my role involves working closely with families, providing practical, neuroaffirming training and guidance to support communication, regulation, and participation in everyday life. 

I enjoy working collaboratively with clients and their families to ensure support is individualised, strengths-based, and responsive to real-world needs. I recognise the diversity within neurodivergent experiences and am committed to providing tailored support that goes beyond traditional approaches. My practice is firmly neurodivergent-affirming, valuing individual communication styles and identities, and creating environments where differences are understood, respected, and empowered. 

Alongside my clinical work, I deliver training to SENCOs and education professionals internationally. Following a recent ADHD diagnosis, I continue to deepen my understanding of how brain–body differences influence communication, regulation, and learning, which further strengthens my reflective and neuroaffirming practice. 

Please feel free to get in touch to learn more about our services and how Onyx Therapy can support you. 

Qualifications and Memberships 

• BA Speech and Language Therapy (Southern Cross University, Australia) 
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 
• Member of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice 
• Health and Care Professions Council registered. 
• Shape Coding Level 1 and Level 2 trained 
• Up to date training in safeguarding & prevent  

Holly

Hi, I’m Holly Walker, a qualified Occupational Therapist. I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy.

Since qualifying, I have gained experience across a wide range of clinical settings, including mental health, stroke rehabilitation, palliative care, and acute general medicine. This breadth of experience has enabled me to develop a diverse and adaptable skill set, which I now bring to my work with Onyx Therapy.

Following my time in general medicine, I took a career break in 2024 to live and travel in Australia. During this time, I worked as an au pair supporting a neurodivergent child, where I had the opportunity to implement occupational therapy–based interventions in a real-life setting. Seeing the positive impact of these approaches and witnessing the child grow and flourish was incredibly rewarding and ignited my passion for working with neurodiverse individuals.

I am deeply passionate about supporting neurodivergent children, young people, and adults to access learning opportunities, build independence, and thrive within supportive environments. I strive to work collaboratively with each individual, as well as the important people in their lives, including families, carers, and educators.

My approach is holistic and person-centred, focusing on the whole individual by considering physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. This ensures that therapy is meaningful, tailored, and responsive to each person’s unique needs.

I strongly believe that being neurodivergent is not something to fix, but something to understand, value, and work with. Everyone deserves to feel understood, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BSc Hons Occupational Therapy (Oxford Brookes University) 
• Health and Care Professions Council registered

Jackie

 I’m Jackie. I am Onyx’s Client & Operations Coordinator, and I support the team in any way they may need.

Much of my role involves responding to enquiry emails, supporting recruitment processes, managing invoicing, and keeping our documents organised and easy to find (Justine has a habit of saving things in the wrong folders!).

If you email Onyx, it’s very likely that I’ll be the one replying and helping to guide you in the right direction.

Before joining Onyx, I worked as a Mental Health Nurse, and I am now retired from nursing. I have also worked as a transport escort supporting young people attending my local SEN school, which gave me valuable experience supporting children with additional needs.

My granddaughter is autistic, which has given me a personal understanding of how complex and overwhelming the SEN world can sometimes feel to navigate.

Through my role at Onyx, I hope to help families feel supported, reassured, and confident as they begin or continue their journey.

Justine

Hi, I’m Justine McDonnell, an occupational therapist and co-founder of Onyx Therapy. I am a dedicated Lead Occupational Therapist and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner with a proven track record of over a decade in providing specialised care and support to individuals with diverse needs.  

My journey began with a focus on personalised technology coordination at Hft, where I assessed individuals with learning disabilities to identify and implement assistive technologies, empowering them to lead more independent lives. This experience laid the foundation for my subsequent roles, where I transitioned into leading Occupational Therapy services and integrating sensory approaches to support students with autism in a special school environment. 

I am a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, celebrating the strengths and unique perspectives that each individual brings. With a deep understanding of the diverse ways people experience the world, I aim to foster an environment that embraces differences and empowers clients to navigate the world in their own authentic way. 

Having personally navigated the challenges of dyslexia and combined ADHD/ADD, I bring a unique perspective to my practice. I understand the importance of tailored approaches and strive to create interventions that honour the individual learning styles of my clients.  

Please feel free to get in touch and discover more about what our service offers and how we can be of help to you. 

Qualifications and Memberships 

• BSc Hons Occupational Therapy (Coventry University) 
• PgCert Sensory Integration (Ulster University)
• PgDip Sensory Integration (Sheffield Hallam University) 
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists 
• Health and Care Professions Council registered. 
• Up to date training in safeguarding & prevent 

Dean

Since graduating with a degree in Illustration in 2012, I’ve been employed by schools and colleges for the majority of my working life, spanning from residential care to student welfare I have worked alongside young people who have experienced a wide variety of challenges, situations and diagnosis’s. Now I am fortunate enough to use my initial degree and years of experience to help provide visuals for Onyx Therapy and assist in all the wonderful work they do.

Kai

Hi, I’m Kai, Onyx Therapy’s social media manager.

I manage and bring to life everything you see across our pages, with a focus on keeping content relatable, supportive, and truly reflective of our community. I’m also a proud mum to my “ausome” kids, so my connection to neurodiversity isn’t just professional it’s lived, everyday life.

I love blending creativity with authenticity, helping share content that resonates, informs, and supports in ways that genuinely matter.