Helen Eldershaw Speech Pathology

Get to know Helen Eldershaw Speech Pathology

From Helen Eldershaw Speech Pathology's website.

• Our approach

  Helen's approach is client-centred, neurodiversity-affirming, and collaborative. Therapy sessions involve engaging activities tailored to each child's goals, delivered in the clinic or within the child's own environments like school or home. She breaks down speech pathology terminology into easy-to-understand language to educate and empower families, and encourages caregivers to attend sessions to learn strategies that support a collaborative program. Goals are always set with real-life, functional application in mind, and she offers flexible delivery options including parent education and home practice packages to help you get the most out of therapy.

• Working with families

  Caregivers are encouraged to attend individual therapy sessions to learn strategies and support the collaborative program at home and school. Home practice tasks or strategies are provided each session for you or school staff to implement, and session time is allocated to reviewing and planning these tasks. For the Construction Club groups, parents and carers are typically not present during sessions to allow children to build independence, but you're invited to observe briefly mid-program, and regular updates and individual progress reports are sent throughout the term.

• Meet the team

  Helen Eldershaw is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist who graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters in Speech Pathology in 2016. She has worked in three private practices and eight different schools (both primary and secondary), gaining diverse experience with many client presentations and expertise in school consultation and staff education. For the Construction Club social groups, sessions are facilitated by two experienced Speech Pathologists: Helen Eldershaw and Bec Taylor.

• Your first visit

  Your first appointment is a 60-minute initial assessment where Helen will discuss your concerns and relevant history with you. Some initial assessment takes place either formally with assessment tools or informally through observation and play. Depending on how many areas your child needs help with, additional assessment sessions may be required, during which information can be collected from teachers or other therapists. After gathering this information, goals are reviewed and tentative goals are set collaboratively, with your priorities discussed and included within the plan.