Kid Speak | Speech and Occupational Therapy

Get to know Kid Speak | Speech and Occupational Therapy

From Kid Speak | Speech and Occupational Therapy's website.

• Our approach

  Every child is treated as an individual, and therapy plans are developed around their unique needs and pace. Sessions are flexible and combine evidence-based and play-based approaches—some may be playful and activity-focused, while others use structured table-top learning, depending on what suits your child best. Sessions generally include blocks of activities separated by short breaks to keep children engaged. Your speech pathologist will teach you specific strategies and activities to support your child's communication at home, ensuring you're empowered to help them progress. The whole team considers family, teachers and NDIS goals when planning intervention, and the aim is for therapy to be fun, empowering and help your child achieve their fullest potential.

• Working with families

  Parents and carers are core partners in your child's development. The therapist will teach you specific techniques and strategies to use at home so you can support your child's communication skills between sessions. Communication with families is open and honest, and you're involved in goal-setting and decision-making about your child's support. For NDIS participants, the team helps you navigate funding complexities and aligns intervention with your child's NDIS goals, supporting you through plan reviews. Your insights as a parent are valued throughout the therapy journey.

• Meet the team

  The team includes Bridget, a Senior Speech Pathologist, along with fellow Senior Speech Pathologists Tahlia, Zoe and Jana. Speech Pathologists on the team are Shirry, Demi, Lisa, Jess, Rose, Emily, Brooke, Ellen, Yashvi and Bianca. For occupational therapy, Kate is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Eveline is an Occupational Therapist. The team is led by Managing Director Jarrad Lethbridge, with Practice Manager Kirsty Rossiter and admin support. The website confirms the team is experienced in delivering high-quality speech therapy to children of all ages across a range of learning delays and disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Global Development Delay, following the latest research.

• Your first visit

  During your first few sessions, the speech therapist will take time to get to know your child by working at their pace and gradually engaging them with toys they like. If your child is shy or wary, the therapist creates a safe, comfortable environment where they can build a relationship before communication-building activities are introduced within fun activities. For NDIS-funded sessions specifically, the first appointment focuses on collecting assessment data and getting to know you and your child, while the second session is dedicated to goal-setting. Your speech pathologist will work closely with you and your child to develop functional goals and formulate a service agreement outlining how many sessions will be required.