Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems are transformative tools that empower individuals with speech and language difficulties to communicate effectively. At our speech pathology and occupational therapy clinic, we prioritize ongoing learning and upskilling to provide the best possible support. Recently, our team has undergone comprehensive training in AAC, both in-person and online, through Liberator, a leader in AAC solutions.

Feeding a picky eater can be challenging for families, but understanding the roots of picky eating and knowing how to address it can make a significant difference. At our speech pathology and occupational therapy clinic, we are dedicated to ongoing learning and upskilling to provide the best care for your child. Recently, our team has undergone specialized training in feeding and picky eaters, ensuring we are equipped with the latest strategies and techniques to support your family.

Gestalt Language Processing is a way some individuals, including those diagnosed or undiagnosed autistic, develop language skills. Unlike typical language development, which builds from single words to phrases and sentences, GLP involves learning and using whole phrases or "gestalts" as single units of meaning.

Are you looking for simple ways to boost your preschooler's literacy skills while having fun together? Engaging in playful activities is a fantastic way to help your child develop a love for reading and writing. Here are some parent-friendly exercises that our speech pathologists recommend that you can try at home to support your preschooler's literacy journey prior to starting school:

Storytime Adventures: Set aside time each day for a cozy story session with your little one. Choose a variety of books that cater to their interests and let them explore different genres, from picture books to rhyming stories. Encourage them to ask questions, make predictions, and retell the story in their own words. Don’t worry if they prefer to make up stories or can’t remember. It’s about exposure and making storytime fun!

Letter Hunts: Turn letter recognition into a scavenger hunt around the house or outdoors. Write the first letter, or all of the letters of your child’s name and hide them. You can use a torch to search for them as children love using new tools in an activity. This activity not only reinforces letter recognition but also helps build vocabulary.

At Grow and Tell Therapy, we understand the importance of creating opportunities for children to practice and generalize their language skills in real-life settings. That's why we offer peer sessions with our speech pathologists and occupational therapists, where students can engage with like-minded peers in a small, supportive environment tailored to their needs.

Practice with Peers: Students engage with like-minded peers in a small, supportive environment.

Real-Life Application: Opportunities to apply language skills in everyday situations for improved fluency.

Guided Interaction: Experienced clinicians facilitate activities to support and encourage each child.

Natural Progression: Peer sessions seamlessly transition from individual therapy, ensuring continuity.

Functional, Neuroaffirming Strategies: Children learn practical communication skills for social and academic success.

At Grow & Tell Rhodes, we're making waves in therapy with our exciting pool sessions! Our team of speech pathologists and occupational therapists are taking therapy to the water, offering a unique and engaging approach to support children's development.

Here's how our pool sessions can benefit your child:

Multi-Sensory Experience: The water provides a stimulating environment where children can engage all their senses.

Increased Relaxation: The warmer water, quiet pool area and gentle movements promote relaxation, helping children feel more comfortable and open to learning.

Improved Motor Skills: Moving and playing in the water can help children develop strength, coordination, and balance, supporting their motor skill development.

Enhanced Communication Skills: Speech pathologists and occupational therapists can utilize water-based activities to target speech and language goals in a fun and dynamic way.

Sensory Integration: Occupational therapists can work on sensory integration in the water, helping children regulate their sensory systems and improve attention and focus.

Boosted Confidence: Mastering new skills in the water can boost children's confidence and self-esteem, transferring to other areas of their lives.

Are mealtimes in your household often met with resistance, tears, or frustration from your child? Do you find yourself worrying about their limited food preferences and nutritional intake? If so, you're not alone. Many parents navigate the challenges of feeding picky eaters from 2 years and up, and it can be a daunting journet. However, there's hope and help available through neuroaffirming feeding therapy approaches at Grow & Tell Therapy Rhodes.

Feeding therapy for picky eaters isn't about force-feeding or coercion. Instead, it's about creating a safe, supportive environment where children can explore and develop a positive relationship with food. At the heart of Babble & Munch feeding training are principles that prioritize the child's emotional well-being and autonomy.

Speech Pathology:

Improved Communication Skills:

Helps children express themselves clearly and effectively.

Enables better understanding and use of language in various contexts, such as conversations, storytelling, and academics.

For example: A child with a speech delay might struggle to pronounce certain sounds or words, leading to frustration and difficulty communicating with peers and adults. Speech therapy helps children and adolescents to articulate sounds correctly, making it easier for others to understand them.

Speech and language delay in children is natural and it is expected.

If you’re reading this you are probably a parent or grandparent. You have children and you know how challenging, exhausting and rewarding raising a child can be.

On top of this, if a child is presenting with speech and language delays, initially it can add a layer of confusion, fear, and sometimes even guilt and shame.

We know that speech and language delays are real, are expected, and are present in boys more than girls. We also know something very, very important… possibly the most important part of this article…we know that it is not anyone’s fault.

Because boys present with more speech and language difficulties than girls we understand that there is sometimes a genetic link to speech and language delays. If a child is going to present with a language delay there is nothing you did or did not do which would have changed this fact.

Does your child need help with talking, eating, moving or communicating?

Did you know, accessing professional supports such as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist BEFORE the age of 7 years, is the BEST time to have the biggest impact on improving a child’s skills compared to any other age in their life.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Funding is free to families who hold a Medicare Card. Applying is easier than you think.

As parents, we all want to see our children thrive academically. One fundamental aspect of their educational journey is literacy development. Ensuring that your child is on track with their literacy skills early on can set them up for success in school and beyond. In Australia, literacy plays a crucial role in a child's educational journey, and understanding its importance can empower parents to support their child effectively.

Social skills develop from a young age, through the support of parents, schools and interactions with other people. While there are some ‘rules’ with any social interaction, it’s important that children feel included and supported for who they are as individuals.

Not all social ‘rules’ are meaningful, useful or necessary. Learning how to feel safe with others and learning how to set boundaries are lifelong skills that can make positive differences no matter what age we are. As parents, nurturing these skills from a young age can help children participate and engage, learn new things, and make choices that feel right for them now and when they’re older.

What is Selective Mutism?

Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder where a child has an observable pattern of being able to speak in certain situations such as at home, however in other contexts, such as school or social gatherings is observed to not talk.

It is not a choice or a behavioral issue; it is simply a response to anxiety or fear.

Recognising Language Delays in Young Children: A Parent's Guide.

By Jules Tushuizen

Language development is a crucial milestone in a child's early years, laying the foundation for communication and social interaction. It is important to remember that delays and difficulties with language are not anyone’s fault, and can naturally occur. While children develop at their own pace, certain signs may indicate potential language delays or difficulties. Here's what parents can look out for:

Understanding Tantrums vs. Meltdowns: A Guide for Parents.

By Jules Tushuizen

As parents and family members, witnessing our children's emotional outbursts can be challenging and confusing. Both are naturally occurring and yet they have very different approaches to support the child during this time. It's essential to understand the difference between tantrums and meltdowns to respond effectively and support our children through these moments. Here's a breakdown in simple terms:

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) was developed almost 40 years ago in 1985 by Andy Bondy and Lori Frost. In a nutshell, for children, a child takes a picture of something they want/need to express and gives that picture to an adult (or anyone) who then responds to that request. It's a way of helping a child express themselves, reduce frustration, make choices, ask for something.

Our team of speech therapists Rhodes and Ryde provide Assessment and diagnosis of speech and language delay. We then work with parents to create meaningful goals which are targeted at our Speech Pathology Clinic Rhodes. You can access a Speech Pathologist Online and use your ECEI funding to support your child.

ECEI is an acronym which stands for Early Childhood Early Intervention. It is a separate arm of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to support children under 7 years of age who present with a developmental delay or disability. A developmental delay includes areas of development which take longer for children to develop, or appear naturally harder in areas such as difficulties walking, talking, eating or playing.

One of the trickiest questions we ask ourselves is, “is my child developing at the rate of his peers, or does he present with delays?” Statistically we know that potentially 1 in every 5 parents will correctly be answering “yes” to the second part of that question.

Speech and language delay in children is natural and it is expected. If you’re reading this you are probably a parent or grandparent. You have children and you know how challenging, exhausting and rewarding raising a child can be.