SmallTalk Speech & Language Therapy in Hornsby, New South Wales | Speech pathologist

SmallTalk Speech & Language Therapy

Locality: Hornsby, New South Wales

Phone: +61 405 388 274

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• Medical and health
• Speech pathologist

25.01.2022 Giving controlled choices may be the single most useful tool parents have for managing life with young children. It really is almost a magic wand. Instead... of managing your childs resistance with force -- which creates a power struggle, and, ultimately, a more resistant child -- giving choice you affirm his right to some control, but within the bounds you set. The result: A happier, more cooperative child, who knows youre on his side. See more

24.01.2022 3/17/2020- Much Easier!

23.01.2022 This story about an ecounter between an autistic child, his father, and a speech-language pathologist who happened to sit next to them on a flight, made me cry.

21.01.2022 Check out this event from a lovely speechie-now EQ coach I worked with at Aspect

20.01.2022 Hi parents! I’ve just released my Kids At Home Resource Pack for us parents who are stuck in isolation at home, trying to keep the kids occupied (and our hair f...rom falling out) Just cracked 50 downloads since this afternoon! It’s currently downloadable at NO COST for you because I know half of us have lost our jobs or business has closed (like my hubby’s) Please jump onto my website ASAP as I’ve put it there for free for just a few days This is a jam packed resource pack with such high value. The kids will it! Best for kids aged approx 5-8 yrs. www.stephaniepinto.com

19.01.2022 Wouldnt it be great if we each took time to learn how our own emotional cups work and those around us. Of course it would be different for everyone, but what a good starting point. Oh, and of course its not just for children.. Thank you Upbility.net

14.01.2022 Such a great list! http://www.andnextcomesl.com//list-of-social-skills-to-tea

14.01.2022 Autism explained in the most beautiful way. Created by: Alexander Amelines "Break the barriers" ... #autism

12.01.2022 So after a week away enjoying the sun and swimming with our gorgeous girl this week, it came to my attention the general public is desperately in need of some g...uidance around interacting with kids with disabilities and their families. I will premise this is just how I feel, but perhaps others feel the same... 1. First and foremost theyre just kids. They just want to play with your kids. They may think youre funny and want to interact. Its really as simple as that. 2. Mums and dads - if we arrive at a pool, park etc. and you suddenly corral your kids with "weve just finished" or "kids its time to go and get a snack". We know what youre doing. We see you. Youre nervous your kid is going to be rude and would rather avoid it altogether. Seriously my family can clear a pool in five minutes. 3. If your child is staring, take the lead. Say hello. She may say hello or she may ignore you, but youve shown your kids what to do. I swear I can count on one hand how many kids said hello to Lucy this week and we encountered up to a hundred in the resort. I love those kids, they warm my heart. 4. If your child is being rude and running away, laughing, pointing, staring with an ugly face, intervene and quietly pull them away and tell them thats rude. Youd do it if they did it to a neurotypical kid! Dont run away from this opportunity to show them the right way to interact. This world will never get better for people with disabilities if we dont teach people to respect. 5. She sees everything and she hears everything. I hear it and I see it. I have the worlds best poker face but the family sees it all. We push it down to the deepest parts of our hearts because if we acted on this, we would be arrested repeatedly. 6. Dont be scared to talk to me, ask me a question. The most wonderful young mum came to talk to me in the pool, turned out she had grown up with a young man with CP and wanted to know about Lucy. After having Lucy be ignored for two days by everyone, it felt so good to be seen. 7. Were totally jealous of all the parents sitting around the pool/park chatting without having to watch like a hawk. Lucy took her seizures to a new level this week with one in the pool, so our safe space of putting on her floaties and letting her play is now out the window. Were exhausted having to watch all the time. Theres never a moment outside the house were not having to watch. And shes 12 years old - weve been watching her obsessively for 12 years. Not great for your mental health. 8. On that note, feel free to offer some help. Ill let you know if Im okay, but Ill also let you help if you can. When Im trying to get Lucy out of a hard physical situation, I would love someone to offer help at least. I was struggling to get her out of a pool and 15 people sat and watched me. On that note, because were having to be so vigilant maybe offer to get them a coffee? I would have killed for a margarita from the pool bar but just couldnt take my eyes off her to make that happen. I know it can be hard with kids, I get it, really. But imagine if that was your child that you saw ignored and run away from over and over again. You would want it to change for her in some way. Ive made this public, feel free to share.

11.01.2022 This restaurant is Australias first deaf-friendly eatery with mandatory sign-language training for its waitstaff! #sun7 | yahoo7.com.au/sunrise

11.01.2022 Free audiobooks! https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk//david-walliams-re

10.01.2022 Hi parents! Ive just released my Kids At Home Resource Pack for us parents who are stuck in isolation at home, trying to keep the kids occupied (and our hair f...rom falling out) Just cracked 50 downloads since this afternoon! Its currently downloadable at NO COST for you because I know half of us have lost our jobs or business has closed (like my hubbys) Please jump onto my website ASAP as Ive put it there for free for just a few days This is a jam packed resource pack with such high value. The kids will it! Best for kids aged approx 5-8 yrs. www.stephaniepinto.com

08.01.2022 A SILENT TRAGEDY There is a silent tragedy that is unfolding today in our homes, and concerns our most precious jewels: our children. Our children are in a deva...stating emotional state! In the last 15 years, researchers have given us increasingly alarming statistics on a sharp and steady increase in childhood mental illness that is now reaching epidemic proportions: Statistics do not lie: 1 in 5 children have mental health problems A 43% increase in ADHD has been noted A 37% increase in adolescent depression has been noted There has been a 200% increase in the suicide rate in children aged 10 to 14 What is happening and what are we doing wrong? Todays children are being over-stimulated and over-gifted with material objects, but they are deprived of the fundamentals of a healthy childhood, such as: Emotionally available parents Clearly defined limits Responsibilities Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep Movement in general but especially OUTDOORS Creative play, social interaction, unstructured game opportunities and boredom spaces Instead, in recent years, children have been filled with: Digitally distracted parents Indulgent and permissive parents who let children "rule the world" and whoever sets the rules A sense of right, of deserving everything without earning it or being responsible for obtaining it Inadequate sleep and unbalanced nutrition A sedentary lifestyle Endless stimulation, technological nannies, instant gratification and absence of boring moments What to do? If we want our children to be happy and healthy individuals, we have to wake up and get back to basics. It is still possible! Many families see immediate improvements after weeks of implementing the following recommendations: Set limits and remember that you are the captain of the ship. Your children will feel more confident knowing that you have control of the helm. Offer children a balanced lifestyle full of what children NEED, not just what they WANT. Dont be afraid to say "no" to your children if what they want is not what they need. Provide nutritious food and limit junk food. Spend at least one hour a day outdoors doing activities such as: cycling, walking, fishing, bird / insect watching Enjoy a daily family dinner without smartphones or distracting technology. Play board games as a family or if children are very small for board games, get carried away by their interests and allow them to rule in the game Involve your children in some homework or household chores according to their age (folding clothes, ordering toys, hanging clothes, unpacking food, setting the table, feeding the dog etc.) Implement a consistent sleep routine to ensure your child gets enough sleep. The schedules will be even more important for school-age children. Teach responsibility and independence. Do not overprotect them against all frustration or mistakes. Misunderstanding will help them build resilience and learn to overcome lifes challenges, Do not carry your childrens backpack, do not carry their backpacks, do not carry the homework they forgot, do not peel bananas or peel oranges if they can do it on their own (4-5 years). Instead of giving them the fish, teach them to fish. Teach them to wait and delay gratification. Provide opportunities for "boredom", since boredom is the moment when creativity awakens. Do not feel responsible for always keeping children entertained. Do not use technology as a cure for boredom, nor offer it at the first second of inactivity. Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, shopping centers. Use these moments as opportunities to socialize by training the brains to know how to work when they are in mode: "boredom" Help them create a "bottle of boredom" with activity ideas for when they are bored. Be emotionally available to connect with children and teach them self-regulation and social skills: Turn off the phones at night when children have to go to bed to avoid digital distraction. Become a regulator or emotional trainer for your children. Teach them to recognize and manage their own frustrations and anger. Teach them to greet, to take turns, to share without running out of anything, to say thank you and please, to acknowledge the error and apologize (do not force them), be a model of all those values you instill. Connect emotionally - smile, hug, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, play or crawl with them. Article written by Victoria Prooday

08.01.2022 "For all the parents out there living life for two people, I see you. Its life consuming and time consuming. Its hard. I dont have any insightful offerings f...or you, just a special needs parent to special needs parent knowing a deep awareness of your challenges and an arm around your shoulder.." See more

07.01.2022 Kids dont like talking about their worries. (Who does?!) You dont always have to talk and discuss them. Use visuals! ... Kids can download, copy, print or create their own worry poster with your help. Stick it on their bedroom wall, door or the fridge. Note: PLEASE dont just print one or make one for them. It has to be done by them. They have to think of their own personal strategies. Not yours. Help them brainstorm but let them guide the conversation. And for youngsters help them decorate the poop out of it. Theyll love it

07.01.2022 Ever catch yourself treating your kids like mini-adults?

06.01.2022 Much respect for this woman. If only more people in important positions could get on board with this.

06.01.2022 This is an awesome way to explain to kids (as young as 5!) what happens when we become highly emotional or upset. Kids relate to this analogy as it explains th...e simple brain science behind what goes on when they experience an emotional hijacking. This is how I explain it to parents: 1 Tell your child that in their brain, there are two really important areas that control how they act. (Use your hand as a reference) 2 Show them how the deep part of their brain controls their emotions, and the outside part is for high level/complex skills, like planning, organising, responding, making decisions. (Close your fingers around your thumb) HERES MY SCRIPT! (You are welcome to use it with your kids!) When we get upset or angry, sometimes we flip our lid, which means we let our emotional parts take over, and we dont use all our other parts of the brain. The ones that help us make good decisions, plan responses and speak carefully and kindly. Remember when I was so frustrated the other day ... (explain a situation they remember. I know youll all have one or two ). I shouted and XYZ. I flipped my lid right! I let my emotions come out all over the place and didnt use my whole brain. Next time I will try to keep my lid on, stay calm and use words to tell you whats wrong. This concept is a part of my Emotional Intelligence parent workshop coming up soooon!

04.01.2022 Jade stopped at nothing to help her brother Christian learn to communicate, and now she aims to help other non-verbal children by getting British sign language ...taught in schools. You can support them by signing their petition here: https://www.change.org/teachsigning Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/signalongwithus Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signalongwithus/

04.01.2022 This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, its an important one. These are prewriting patterns, with the average (not prescribed) age at which child...ren are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as visual motor integration. Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child cant form these basic shapes...then they probably wont be able to form letters. It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling, where theyre expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy typically dont have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesnt hold meaning, its unlikely to stick. So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, thats great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum stands, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better. Source: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition #visualmotorintegration #vmi #letterformations #prewriting #writing #kindy #schoolreadiness #earlierisnotbetter #toomuchtoosoon #letthembelittle #letthemplay #prewritingskills #foundationskills #phonics #phonologicalawareness #earlyliteracyskills #literacy #earlyreaders #reading #occupationaltherapy #paediatrics #paediatricot #kidsofperth #perthkids #schoolbasedtherapy #teacher #teachersofinstagram #australiancurriculum #schoolholidays #knowledgeispower

04.01.2022 I absolutely adore using these conversation cards by Big Life Journal especially around meals. Conversation takes the focus off the food (which for fussy eater...s can be a stressful moment) and places the focus on sharing commonalities and connecting as a family. Not only will this help your childs anxiety around a mealtime but also increase their problem solving skills, verbal expression skills and their mental health/mindset. Positive mindset and the ability to see that we are all amazing at different things. And if there are things that are still challenging (because lets be honest- we all have challenging growth areas).... the ultimate word is - not good YET. Because one day, with hard work and perseverance, we just might be. Long life skills that you want your child to grow in their minds. All children have amazing skills and if given the time- have amazing insight into what happens around them. https://biglifejournal.com/products/conversation-cards The journals and other resources are great on this website as well! Enjoy your mealtimes and conversations xo Val #growthmindset #thepowerofyet #letseatspeech

02.01.2022 This is the BEST little statement to use when developing your kids EQ Emotional intelligence in kids is first modelled and taught by parents and other adult...s in their life. Parents may say Oh youre so upset arent you! and You snatched that toy, youve hurt his feelings! Go and apologise. which is telling the child whats happened, and what to do about it. But how do we move from this external method towards children having their own internalised barometer of identifying and managing emotions? Its super easy. Heres my suggestion! #eq #eqkids #emotionalintelligence

02.01.2022 This restaurant is Australia’s first deaf-friendly eatery with mandatory sign-language training for its waitstaff! #sun7 | yahoo7.com.au/sunrise

02.01.2022 EQ Kids: 3 Super Strategies for Helping Your Kids Manage Anxiety Ok today I have 3 strategies around supporting your child when they have anxieties ...and worries. They take less than 5 minutes each to use with your child and can be used with kids in preschool right up to high school - just change your language and examples. Let me know which is your favourite, and try one tonight! See more

01.01.2022 Little presents going out today to my mentees. Some of you may know that I mentor feeding therapists (Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists) around Au...stralia. These women who work in private or non government organisations seek mentoring for their clients and pay for these sessions out of their own pockets. Mentoring is the extra thing they do to help their feeding clients and goodness does it pay off- I have stood by proudly watching them this year as they send me texts and emails about their clients achieving their feeding goals. I thank you ladies for the hard work, extra reading and constant problem solving this year- your clients are so lucky to have you Have a great week everyone, Val #letseatspeech #feedingmentoring #feedingtherapist