Fun to Talk Speech and Language

Get to know Fun to Talk Speech and Language

From Fun to Talk Speech and Language's website.

• Our approach

  At Fun to Talk, therapy centres on empowering parents to become the primary facilitators of their child's communication journey through play, connection and having fun. The practice uses a neuro-affirming approach with play-based learning, recognising that children learn best through fun and interactive activities tailored to their individual needs. Sessions involve standardised assessments combined with informal play-based observation to build an accurate picture of each child's current abilities. The clinician guides and coaches parents on how to make speech and language goals engaging in everyday routines—like practising 'on' and 'off' while getting dressed or eating. Every goal is individualised based on what matters most to families, whether that's speech sounds, understanding language, expressive language or social interaction skills.

• Working with families

  Parent involvement is central to Fun to Talk's philosophy—parents are viewed as the primary facilitators of their child's communication journey and are guided and coached to achieve speech and language goals in everyday life. The clinician works collaboratively with parents to understand their hopes and dreams for their child, ensuring that goals are driven by what matters most to your family and incorporated naturally into daily routines. Communication happens through regular goal reviews and the building of a strong parent-child-clinician professional relationship, with the understanding that parents make the biggest impact because they spend the most time with their child. The practice also offers consultations in the home, preschool or school visits with education for teachers and staff, and telehealth options to ensure families can access support in ways that work for them.

• Meet the team

  Fun to Talk is led by Sarah Thurling, a Speech & Language Pathologist with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Speech Pathology from Flinders University (graduated 2011), holding MSPAA accreditation. Sarah has over 10 years of experience as a paediatric speech pathologist with a particular passion for early intervention and has undertaken specialist training to become a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) Certification, an evidence-based approach for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. She has also completed specialist training in supporting autistic children through the Early Start Denver Model and More than Words Hanen Workshop. Originally from Canada, Sarah brings international perspective to her practice and is the mother of three children, giving her deep understanding of the realities of working parenthood.

• Your first visit

  At the initial appointment, the clinician conducts a comprehensive assessment using gold-standard tools such as the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP) for speech and language scales appropriate to the child's age, combined with informal assessment through play and interaction. This dual approach—formal standardised testing alongside informal observation—gives an accurate picture of where your child is at developmentally across speech, language and social skills. The clinician will listen to your family's hopes and dreams for your child, as speech and language goals are driven by what matters most to parents. Once the assessment is complete, individualised goals are established and reviewed regularly, with new objectives introduced as previous ones are achieved. The first appointment may take place in the home, in clinic, or via telehealth depending on what suits your family best.