Problems Communicating

Speech pathologists work with people who have had a stroke and are experts in communication and swallowing problems.

Improving literacy comprehension through Visualization

April 2, 2018 By Ashleigh Fattah

Comprehension difficulties have a significant impact on a child or adults school, home or work life. If an individual is unable to comprehend a passage or story this impacts their ability to learn from text books or manuals, process and retain stories told by colleagues or friends, complete simple instructions or follow along with a series or novel with long plot lines. This ability is required over a number of different tasks in life for both … [Read more...]

The impact of language delay at school

December 4, 2017 By Ashleigh Fattah

One of the most popular misconceptions about children with speech and language delay is that taking a ‘wait and see’ approach cannot hurt. While this approach may not lead to anything life threatening, it can have serious repercussions for a child’s entire future following poor performance at school leading to decreased opportunities in further education, career and employment. Here are a few examples of a child’s delayed language skills … [Read more...]

What is a voice disorder?

August 9, 2017 By Ashleigh Fattah

Voice disorders are conditions involving abnormal pitch, loudness or quality of the voice, thereby affecting speech production. A voice disorder describes differences in voice that are inappropriate for an individual's age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location. A person has a voice disorder if they express concern about having an abnormal voice that does not meet their daily needs. Even in the case where others cannot perceive the … [Read more...]

Holiday Language Game Show Activities

August 2, 2017 By Ashleigh Fattah

Take the time this holiday season while the kids are on break to get the whole family involved in some fun interactive activities and get those language goals down pat at the same time by playing some fun Christmas and holiday themed game show activities. Here are a couple to get you started: Holiday Family Feud Work on improving semantic associations between words and increasing your child’s vocabulary with Christmas themed words by setting up … [Read more...]

Common misconceptions about speech pathology

July 7, 2017 By Ashleigh Fattah

Speech therapy is an instant fix Many people assume that one or two visits to a speech pathologist will instantly solve a child’s speech or language disorder. Whilst this may be true for people that have swallowing difficulties that require modifications to their diet or utensils, this is not the case for speech and language. Speech overall often requires shorted periods of therapy, from roughly a few weeks to a couple of years for very severe … [Read more...]

“Think to Speak” Technology Finally Becomes a Reality for Millions of People Worldwide Unable to Verbally Communicate

June 26, 2017 By @entwellbeing

Verbal communication for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other communication challenges can be difficult or even impossible. Traditionally for those that have such severe communication difficulties, AAC apps often using visual systems, are used to facilitate communication. These systems however can take a long time to learn and master, especially those with intellectual impairments. There are hundreds of millions of people in the … [Read more...]

Eight tips for teachers to support children who stutter

April 5, 2017 By Ashleigh Fattah

Even in the comfort of their home, stuttering can be a stressful and emotional experience for children when they struggle to get a message across. This can be even more stressful at school where there are peers and teachers, whom they may not be as comfortable speaking around. It is important not only to flag these concerns with the child’s parents but also to provide support within the classroom to ensure the child does not suffer bullying from … [Read more...]

Communication Options for Children with Hearing Loss

December 1, 2016 By Ashleigh Fattah

Many children in Australia and around the world are born with permanent hearing loss. When parents are met with the diagnosis, they often experience not only overwhelming emotion, but also an overwhelming range of choices in terms of communication options. These communication options can be categorised into 4 main types of communication including: spoken language, cued speech, sign language, and total communication that each offer different … [Read more...]

Treatment tips for Selective mutism

October 6, 2016 By Ashleigh Fattah

Selective mutism is a tricky area that falls into the realm of Speech Pathology and Psychology. It is a condition where a child chooses to speak in some conditions but not others. The child may be comfortable speaking in certain circumstances with certain people, but not with others. This may be due to Social anxiety which is treated by a Psychologist or a deficit in Language and Social skills which requires treatment by a speech … [Read more...]

What is Sign Language and is there just one type?

April 28, 2016 By Ashleigh Fattah

Sign Language is an umbrella term, which refers to systems of Language that use gestures and signs made using parts of the body such as hands, to communicate a message. Sign language is most commonly known for its use amongst the deaf population. There are however, some types of sign language used frequently by other populations. For example, the Key Word Sign or MAKATON system is often used with people who have language difficulties such as … [Read more...]