Speech Sound Therapy
Helping speech become clearer and easier to understand.
Speech sound difficulties can affect how clearly a child or adult produces
certain sounds or words. We assess the underlying nature of these difficulties
and provide individualised therapy to improve articulation, speech sound
development, intelligibility, and confidence in everyday communication.
Common signs & concerns
- Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
-
Substituting one sound for another, such as saying “tat” instead of “cat”
- Leaving sounds out of words
- Distorting certain speech sounds
-
Speech that is difficult for family members, teachers, or unfamiliar
listeners to understand
- Becoming frustrated when others cannot understand them
- Avoiding particular words because they are difficult to pronounce
-
Speech that sounds noticeably different from that of children of a similar
age
Early identification can help prevent speech difficulties from affecting
communication, confidence, literacy development, and participation at school.
Language Development
Building the skills needed to understand, express, and connect through language.
Language is more than speaking. It includes understanding what others say,
learning and using vocabulary, constructing sentences, following instructions,
telling stories, asking and answering questions, and expressing thoughts and
ideas. We support both receptive language (understanding language) and expressive
language (using language to communicate).
Common signs & concerns
- Limited vocabulary for their age
- Difficulty putting words together into sentences
- Using shorter or simpler sentences than expected
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty understanding questions
- Frequently needing information repeated or simplified
- Difficulty learning new words
- Trouble explaining what happened during their day
- Difficulty retelling stories in the correct sequence
-
Difficulty answering “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why”, or “how”
questions
- Frustration when trying to express wants, needs, or ideas
- Difficulty understanding concepts used in the classroom
Language difficulties can affect learning, literacy, relationships, behaviour,
and participation in everyday activities.
Early Intervention
Supporting communication and feeding development from the very beginning.
The early years are a critical period for communication, feeding, play, and
social development. Early intervention aims to identify difficulties as soon as
possible and provide children and their families with strategies that encourage
development through everyday interactions and routines.
Common signs & concerns
- Limited babbling or vocalising
- Limited use of gestures such as pointing or waving
- Few or no meaningful words
- Difficulty combining words
- Difficulty understanding simple instructions
- Limited attempts to communicate wants or needs
- Limited interaction or shared play
- Frustration when unable to communicate
- Loss of previously acquired communication skills
- Feeding or oral-motor difficulties
-
Concerns that communication development is progressing differently from
expected
You do not need to wait until a child is significantly behind before seeking
professional guidance. If you are concerned about your child’s development, an
assessment can help determine whether additional support is appropriate.
Stuttering & Fluency Therapy
Supporting confident and effective communication.
Stuttering can affect children, adolescents, and adults. Our approach considers
not only the observable stutter but also its impact on confidence, participation,
emotions, and everyday communication. Therapy is individualised according to age,
communication needs, and the nature and impact of the stuttering.
Common signs & concerns
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words
- Stretching or prolonging sounds
- Getting “stuck” before or during a word
- Visible tension when speaking
-
Eye blinking or other physical behaviours associated with moments of
stuttering
- Avoiding certain words or situations
- Changing words because another word feels easier to say
- Difficulty introducing themselves or speaking on the telephone
- Anxiety surrounding speaking situations
-
Reduced participation in class, meetings, or social situations because of
stuttering
An assessment can help determine the nature and severity of the difficulty and
whether therapy or monitoring is appropriate.
Social Communication
Helping individuals connect, participate, and communicate effectively with
others.
Social communication involves understanding how language is used in different
situations. We support children and adults who experience difficulties navigating
conversations, interpreting social information, understanding non-literal
language, and adapting communication to different people and environments.
Common signs & concerns
- Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations
- Frequently interrupting or talking over others
- Difficulty taking conversational turns
- Difficulty staying on topic
-
Difficulty interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language
- Difficulty understanding jokes, sarcasm, idioms, or implied meanings
- Difficulty adapting communication to different situations
- Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships
- Conversations that may feel one-sided
- Difficulty understanding another person’s perspective
- Difficulty knowing what information a listener needs
- Challenges participating in group conversations
Our goal is to support meaningful, functional communication while respecting
each individual’s communication style and needs.
Cognitive-Communication Therapy
Supporting communication following changes in memory, attention, thinking, or
executive functioning.
Cognitive-communication difficulties may occur following neurological injury or
illness and can affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively at home,
socially, academically, or in the workplace. Therapy may address attention,
memory, organisation, reasoning, problem-solving, executive functioning, and
communication.
Common signs & concerns
- Difficulty remembering conversations or information
- Frequently losing track of what was being discussed
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble organising thoughts before speaking
- Difficulty planning or completing tasks
- Difficulty solving everyday problems
- Reduced ability to follow complex conversations
- Difficulty finding words
- Taking longer to process information
- Difficulty managing multiple pieces of information
- Changes in judgement or reasoning
-
Difficulty returning to work, studies, or previous daily responsibilities
These difficulties may occur following conditions such as stroke, traumatic
brain injury, or other neurological changes and should be assessed according to
the individual’s specific circumstances.
Voice Therapy
Helping you use your voice comfortably, efficiently, and effectively.
Voice difficulties can affect children and adults and may interfere with work,
school, social communication, or everyday activities. Voice therapy focuses on
healthy and efficient voice production while reducing behaviours that may
contribute to vocal strain.
Common signs & concerns
- Persistent hoarseness
- A rough, breathy, strained, or weak voice
- Voice frequently “breaking”
- Vocal fatigue after speaking
- Throat discomfort or tension when talking
- Frequently losing your voice
- Difficulty projecting your voice
- Needing excessive effort to speak
- Changes in pitch or vocal quality
- Difficulty meeting the vocal demands of work or daily life
Persistent or unexplained voice changes may require assessment by an
appropriate medical professional, such as an ENT, before or alongside voice
therapy.
Swallowing / Dysphagia Therapy
Supporting safer and more efficient eating and drinking.
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing food, liquids, or saliva. Swallowing
difficulties may occur in both children and adults and can affect nutrition,
hydration, respiratory health, and quality of life. We assess swallowing function
and develop management and rehabilitation plans based on each individual’s needs.
Common signs & concerns
- Coughing during or after eating or drinking
- Choking episodes
- Difficulty chewing food
- Food remaining in the mouth after swallowing
- Difficulty initiating a swallow
- Feeling that food is stuck in the throat
- Taking unusually long to finish meals
- Avoiding certain foods or textures
- Unexplained changes in eating or drinking ability
- Difficulty managing saliva
-
Recurrent chest infections in the context of swallowing concerns
- Changes in voice quality during or after meals
-
Unintentional weight loss or dehydration associated with eating difficulties
Sudden or severe difficulty swallowing, choking, or breathing difficulty
requires urgent medical attention.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Supporting healthy oral function, breathing, swallowing, and resting posture.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy focuses on the function and coordination of the
tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles. Therapy may address oral resting posture,
tongue function, swallowing patterns, and other functional concerns as part of a
multidisciplinary approach where appropriate.
Common signs & concerns
- Habitual mouth breathing
- Sleeping with the mouth open
- Difficulty maintaining lip closure at rest
- Tongue resting low or forward in the mouth
- Tongue pushing forward during swallowing
- Tongue thrust
- Difficulties associated with oral habits
- Drooling beyond the expected developmental stage
- Difficulty coordinating chewing or swallowing
- Speech sound difficulties associated with oral function
-
Concerns regarding oral posture alongside orthodontic treatment
Where appropriate, we collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, and other
healthcare professionals because underlying structural or airway concerns may
require medical or dental management in addition to therapy.
Feeding Therapy
Helping mealtimes become safer, more comfortable, and more positive.
Feeding difficulties can involve much more than simply being a “picky eater.”
Some children experience challenges with chewing, oral-motor coordination,
textures, sensory responses, transitioning between foods, or developing
age-appropriate feeding skills. We assess the factors contributing to feeding
difficulties and develop practical, family-centred strategies.
Common signs & concerns
- Eating a very limited range of foods
- Strong refusal of particular textures
- Gagging when trying new foods
- Difficulty chewing
- Holding or “pocketing” food in the cheeks
- Difficulty transitioning from purées to textured foods
- Difficulty progressing to age-appropriate foods
- Meals taking an unusually long time
- Stress or distress around mealtimes
- Refusing entire food groups
-
Strong reactions to the appearance, smell, texture, or temperature of food
- Difficulty drinking from age-appropriate cups or using utensils
- Concerns regarding oral-motor feeding skills
Feeding difficulties can have many causes, so assessment helps determine the
most appropriate intervention and whether input from other healthcare
professionals is required.
Teletherapy
Professional therapy wherever you are.
Teletherapy allows suitable clients to access speech, language, fluency, voice,
cognitive-communication, and selected myofunctional services through secure
online sessions. Sessions are interactive and individually planned to maintain
the same focus on evidence-based, goal-directed intervention.
School-Based Therapy
Supporting communication where learning happens.
Communication difficulties can have a significant impact on classroom
participation, literacy, learning, friendships, and academic performance. Where
available and appropriate, we provide school-based intervention and collaborate
with teachers and other professionals involved in the learner’s support.
Home Visits
Therapy in a familiar, comfortable environment.
Where appropriate and subject to availability and location, we provide therapy in
the client’s home. Home-based intervention allows us to work within real-life
routines and environments, making it easier to practise functional communication,
feeding, and caregiver strategies.
Comprehensive Assessments
Understanding the difficulty is the first step towards meaningful intervention.
A comprehensive assessment helps us understand an individual’s strengths, areas
of difficulty, and functional needs. Assessment findings guide clinical
recommendations and, where therapy is indicated, the development of an
individualised treatment plan. Depending on the concern, assessment may examine
speech, language, fluency, voice, feeding, swallowing, cognition, social
communication, or orofacial function.
Parent & Caregiver Coaching
Empowering families to make everyday moments part of therapy.
Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the therapy process. We provide
practical education, support and strategies that can be incorporated naturally
into play, meals, routines, and everyday interactions.
