Jan Hooper

Get to know Jan Hooper

From Jan Hooper's website.

• Our approach

  Therapy is grounded in best available evidence and begins with a thorough assessment of the person's communication and functional needs. For young children and those with developmental delay or autism, the approach is play-based and relationship-focused, using methods such as Hanen, Floortime, and SCERTS, with augmentative communication systems introduced as appropriate. For children with speech sound disorders, the approach is tailored to their specific needs and may include PROMPT training or specialised programs like Multilit for literacy. School-aged children receive more formal intervention delivered in engaging ways, and all therapy involves parent coaching and home practice as a crucial element. For adults, the practice offers specialised approaches for voice, neurological disorders, chronic cough and accent reduction, drawing on training in Estill and Resonant Voice Therapy.

• Working with families

  Therapy always involves parent coaching and training, which is described as a crucial part of therapy that requires participation in home practice. Advice and programs are also provided for day care, kindergarten and school to support the child's progress across different settings. Individualised programs are developed taking into account the goals of the child and their carers from the outset. This collaborative approach ensures families are active partners in supporting their child's communication development.

• Meet the team

  This is an independent practice where you see Jan Hooper directly, ensuring access to a practitioner with extensive experience and depth of skills. Jan is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with qualifications including a Bachelor of Law from Adelaide University and a Masters Degree in special education from the United States. She has worked in disability, health and education settings in both the UK and Australia, with additional training in Autism Spectrum Disorder, voice and speech and language therapy. Jan is an accredited assessor for Autism Spectrum Disorder with Autism SA and a certified Hanen practitioner, and maintains a clinical practice that reflects best practice intervention.

• Your first visit

  The initial appointment begins with a comprehensive case history and assessment of the child or adult's communication difficulties. The assessment findings are then analysed and an assessment report is provided to the family. Based on these results, an individualised program is developed that takes into account the goals of the child or adult and their carers. Ongoing intervention is based on the assessment findings but is constantly updated as therapy goals change with improvement. Initial consultations typically run 30 to 45 minutes or 45 to 60 minutes depending on what is needed.