Kalinga Kids Paediatric Speech Pathology

Get to know Kalinga Kids Paediatric Speech Pathology

From Kalinga Kids Paediatric Speech Pathology's website.

• Our approach

  Sessions are thoughtfully tailored around each child's goals, interests and learning style. Play-based and standardised assessment tools are used to ensure children stay engaged while making real progress. Therapy options include play-based speech and language work, early literacy support, motor-based approaches for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, social communication training, and AAC implementation. Parents are actively involved through coaching to build communication at home, and the team collaborates with schools and childcare settings. Every plan is flexible and adjusts as your child develops and their needs change.

• Working with families

  The service is built on partnership with families, offering parent and caregiver support alongside therapy. Tailored home practice activities are designed to fit into your family's everyday routines, so communication growth continues beyond the clinic. The team provides regular written and verbal feedback after sessions, collaborates with teachers and schools to support classroom participation, and works with families to navigate transitions and access to funding options like NDIS. Your child's progress is tracked through regular goal reviews and data-driven observations, ensuring therapy strategies evolve with your child's needs and that families have the tools and confidence to continue progress at home.

• Meet the team

  The team includes Louise Rathie, Director and Senior Speech Pathologist, who holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from the University of Queensland (2009) and has over a decade of experience in both public and private sectors. Louise has worked in specialist early intervention teams alongside occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other professionals, bringing a holistic, evidence-based approach. Ainslea Pratt, Speech Pathologist, is a graduate of Australian Catholic University's Bachelor of Speech Pathology program with experience in educational and healthcare settings, including hospital work at Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospitals. Both therapists maintain a warm, family-centred approach and are committed to continued professional development.

• Your first visit

  Every child's communication journey is unique, and the initial assessment identifies individual strengths and areas of need across speech sounds, language understanding and expression, social communication, early literacy skills, and AAC needs. The assessment uses both play-based and standardised tools to ensure it's engaging, accurate and meaningful for your child. Following assessment, a tailored therapy plan is created based on what you and the team learn about your child. The service offers regular feedback after sessions, both written and verbal, and uses data-driven progress notes to track your child's development. This thorough first step sets the foundation for therapy that truly matches your child's unique needs.