Neurodivergent affirming practices has rightfully been gaining more and more popularity in recent years. What is it and how do speech therapists use it in sessions?

Over the past few years, adults and children alike have become very familiar with using programs such as Zoom, Teams and more to work, learn and socialise.

Teletherapy is a valuable tool in speech therapy, and is used for a variety of reasons. There are lots of benefits to teletherapy as well!

Therapy for gestalt language processors users can look quite different to the therapy used for analytical language users, or language users who begin by learning single words and work their way up to sentences. This is because they learn language differently, so we need to support their language development differently.

Your child has been assessed, you’ve been told they need ongoing speech therapy and you’ve received the assessment results… but what next?

In the first five years of life, a child’s brain will undergo more development than at any other period of time. During this period, children learn a variety of essential skills, including walking, play, social skills and, of course, communication.

Early intervention often occurs between 0 – 3 years, but can sometimes occur later in childhood as well. It is an intervention approach designed at building functional language. So how young is too young, and why is early intervention so important?

Speech therapy – it might be something you’ve come across in a google search, been told about by a friend or family member, or had your child referred for by your GP. So what is speech therapy, and why might it be required?

For many families who are bilingual or who are considering introducing a new language to their child, there can be lots of questions that come up around whether it is the right decision.

Multilingualism has many benefits for children, including introducing them to their culture and helping connect with family and community. It is important to support families in providing language rich environments for multilingual children.

Sensory differences can become a big barrier to everyday activities for neurodivergent individuals. As parents, teachers and therapists, we can use strategies to support regulation and engagement.

Gestures are an important part of communication, adding unique meaning to verbal language. For little ones who aren’t yet talking, gestures can also boost language development.

Child-led play is important in creating engaging, positive language environments for young children. It not only allows adults to identify what the child may be attempting to communicate, but also helps form intrinsic motivation within the child to communicate in a meaningful activity.

Gestalt Language Processing is a form of language learning where children learn language as scripts rather than single words. It’s important to understand when children learn language this way as it helps us tailor therapy to suit their needs.

Minimal pairs is a therapy approach typically used for children with mild to moderate speech sound difficulties.

It can be hard sometimes to find time to set aside for one-on-one time with your little one. So why not add in language to the driving, cooking, bedtime and bath time routines you’re already doing?

Shaving foam is a great way to build joint attention and language with your little one, particularly those sensory seeking kids who love to make a mess!

Joint attention is an important skill for both communication and social development - here are some tips on encouraging it in your little one!

Verbs are an important skill for young children to have. If you have an animal lover on your hands, here are some great activities to encourage early words!

Lisps are a common reason kids are brought in for a speech assessment. Here are five easy ways to encourage ‘s’ at home!

Phonological awareness skills are the foundation for literacy development. It is important to have an understanding of how and when the skills develop to identify a delay and provide necessary support as early as possible.

Whether you are stuck on a waitlist, you’re wanting some extra activities for your child or you’re just wanting to boost your child’s language development, here are five easy activities using common household items to engage your child and work on those early language skills.