Ms. Lorinda Manuel is a Speech-Language Pathologist at ACPN Abu Dhabi. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Therapy from Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 2015. Moreover, she also completed a Diploma in Healthcare Management and Leadership through Westford University in 2022. She is a licensed SLP with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Department of Health (DOH), UAE.
With over nine years of clinical experience across South Africa, New Zealand, and the UAE, Ms. Manuel worked in hospital inpatient and clinic outpatient settings specializing in pediatric and adult speech-language and feeding disorders, as well as school settings. She has held senior roles at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, where she led pediatric speech therapy services, supervised students, trained junior staff, and contributed to service development. Her previous experience also includes work at Livingstone Hospital, Worcester Hospital, and Hutt Valley District Health Board in New Zealand. In the UAE, she worked at Danat Al Emarat Hospital supporting both neonatal and pediatric inpatient wards, as well as outpatient services, managing a broad spectrum of disorders including feeding and swallowing difficulties, communication disorders, motor speech disorders, apraxia, articulation, and phonological disorders. She was also responsible for developing clinical protocols as well as in training clinical staff and medical students. Working across the board in school settings, she assessed and managed speech and language disorders across age groups upto 18 years of age, helping educators and parents formulate individualized education plans (IEPs).
Ms. Manuel’s areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing disorders (including VFSS and FEES), motor speech disorders, language and articulation difficulties, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome. She is passionate about early intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and enabling caregivers and families through education and training. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice leading to meaningful outcomes through compassionate, child–centered care.
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans
