Social Speech

Get to know Social Speech

From Social Speech's website.

• Our approach

  Social Speech uses a neurodiversity affirming, strength-based approach that respects all different ways to communicate and be social. Sessions focus on functional speech therapy goals to help children express their needs, opinions and interests while educating others about how each individual communicates and learns best. The service is delivered in real-world settings including homes, schools, daycare and community spaces, ensuring goals are personalised and relevant. Therapy draws on evidence-based programs including the Hanen approach for early language and autism, Collaborative & Proactive Solutions for understanding behaviour, and carefully selected neurodiversity affirming strategies for social-emotional learning. The therapist works collaboratively as part of a team with families, carers, educators and other health professionals to support each child's development.

• Working with families

  Social Speech works collaboratively with families, carers, educators and other health professionals as part of a team supporting each child. The service uses mobile therapy, visiting homes, schools and community settings to ensure parents and carers can be regularly involved in sessions and to facilitate joint planning around goals. Evidence-based family-centred programs like the Hanen approach are core to the service, focusing on equipping parents with strategies to support their child's communication and social development. Regular communication and partnership with families is built into how the service operates, with the therapist working to educate others about each child's individual ways of communicating and learning.

• Meet the team

  Social Speech is owned and managed by Sophie Parsons, a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist (CPSP) with a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Sydney and membership with Speech Pathology Australia. Sophie has extensive experience working alongside families, schools and other healthcare professionals in non-government, government and private settings, including roles with Autism Spectrum Australia and the Helping Children with Autism Package. She holds current membership with The Hanen® Centre and is part of a Special Interest Group focused on Neurodiversity Affirming Practice. Sophie has completed specialist training in alternative and augmentative communication systems, evidence-based approaches for behaviour and social-emotional skills, situational mutism, phonics, speech sound disorders and small group social skills programs, all adapted through a neurodiversity affirming lens.