Sydney Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy in Waverley, New South Wales, Australia | Occupational therapist

Sydney Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy

Locality: Waverley, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9389 3322

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• Medical and health
• Medical centre
• Speech pathologist
• Occupational therapist

25.01.2022 Sydney SPOT is lucky to have some great fathers who commit time to bringing their children to our practice! http://www.smh.com.au//not-my-job-dads-go-missing-when-kid

25.01.2022 Test this out - stand up straight and then open your mouth & breathe through it...not so comfortable! If you jut your head forward slightly youll feel much better breathing with your mouth open Opening the mouth at rest (whether youre a mouth breather or just in the habit), causes the hyoid bone to swing downwards, narrowing your airway. In order to open the airway, the head is pushed forwards slightly... Putting your whole body out of balance! Many kids experiencing g...ross motor difficulties also have an open mouth posture. They often have a history of airway obstruction (large adenoids , tonsils, snoring, allergies , or frequent colds & ear infections), or a habit such as thumb, finger or blankie sucking. A low and forward resting tongue posture affects formation of the palate (& in the future tooth alignment), and of course speech and swallowing - its all related! If you or your child feel most comfortable with an open mouth posture, speak to an Orofacial Myologist (or a SP or OT with training in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy)! See more

25.01.2022 It may seem intuitive to picture that we all have different learning styles, and that matching a teaching approach to a students preferred style will optimise learning - but - research has consistently demonstrated that this is not effective! The great news is that a focus on evidenced based intervention in therapy and teaching, for example; explicit, multisensory, phonics based instruction to teach or improve reading and spelling, does work! Evidence based interventio...n & approaches to teaching are of most benefit to everybody , regardless of whether they are experiencing delays! At Sydney SPOT, of course we are interested in the strengths and weakness of individual clients, however, it is important to focus on what the evidence tells us. It may well be that those patterns/preferences are indicative of the presenting clinical issue. Our job is to stretch clients in a safe, fun, motivating and meaningful way, to learn processing patterns that are functional (but may not come naturally!)! https://theconversation.com/students-are-not-hard-wired-to-

25.01.2022 Left handed people should cut with left handed scissors If youre right handed and in any doubt, pick up a pair of green-handled scissors & try cutting comfortably - having the blade angles hung differently makes a huge difference (youll struggle with the left handed pair!). Speak to an OT if youre not sure whether your child is left or right handed #occupationaltherapy #therapy #ot #lefthanded #leftie #scissors #cutting #cuttingskills #finemotor #speechpathology #speechtherapy #playtherapy #playskills #sydneyspot #spotrural #mama #mummy #mother #kids #sydney #kidspot

23.01.2022 Sydney SPOTs Director, Kate Broderick, is attending a Core Standards & Clinical Governance Workshop today - to make sure we will be ready for the NDIS! Looking forward to empowering clients and their families to reach their goals

23.01.2022 We're expanding So excited to get the keys to the second story of our head office this morning!! Can't wait to start filling these huge light-filled rooms with toys and resources #sydneyspot #speechpathology #speechtherapy #gym #therapygym #office #occupationaltherapy #physiotherapy #playtherapy #psychology #spacetolearn #practice

23.01.2022 Were expanding So excited to get the keys to the second story of our head office this morning!! Cant wait to start filling these huge light-filled rooms with toys and resources #sydneyspot #speechpathology #speechtherapy #gym #therapygym #office #occupationaltherapy #physiotherapy #playtherapy #psychology #spacetolearn #practice

22.01.2022 Were celebrating National Play Therapy Week! Toys are the words and play is the language of children Play Therapy is an evidence based intervention where therapists who have a Master of Play Therapy, create a safe space for children, to express and process their experiences and emotions. Want to know more? Check out these fantastic links or give us a call and Helen, our Play Therapist, will give you a call back! https://youtu.be/reJpo-GaopM... https://youtu.be/_4ovwAdxCs0 9389 3322 [email protected]

22.01.2022 Loving these posters prepared by Speech Pathology Australia An informative and beautifully designed series were now proudly displaying in the Sydney SPOT waiting room If youre not sure about your little ones early speech and language development, dont hesitate to ask a Speech Pathologist.... Were always happy to chat to parents and carers over the phone to determine whether a consultation sounds appropriate (02) 9389 3322 [email protected]

21.01.2022 Literacy is a critical life skill. Inadequate reading and writing skills can impact on social interactions, a persons self confidence or mental health, as well as the obvious limitations it brings during schooling and finding employment in adulthood. It is important that our schools access the correct, evidence based advice on how to assist children with literacy difficulties.... You can get advice and support from a Speech Pathologist if your child is having difficulty reading or writing.

19.01.2022 Were so excited for our preschoolers who will be transitioning to kindergarten soon If you have any questions or concerns about your preschoolers readiness for school, please give our friendly therapists a call9389 3322 or send us an enquiry through our website www.sydneyspot.com.au #sydneyspot #sp #ot #speechpathology #speechtherapy #paediatrics #occupationaltherapy #psychology #physiotherapy #socialwork #playtherapy #schoolreadiness #school #gettingreadyforschool #kindy #kindergarten

19.01.2022 What is Play Therapy? Well, Play Therapy is an evidence-based allied health intervention, that is especially appropriate for children aged 3 - 12 years It can provide a safe space for children to express experiences & feelings using their most natural mode of expression - PLAY!... Children on the Autism Spectrum and those with Attention Deficit Disorder can benefit greatly. Play therapy is relevant for kids who have experienced trauma (abuse, neglect, bereavement, divorce/separation), and those with psychological challenges (anxiety, anger, depression/sadness). Play Therapy sounds fun and light-hearted, however, in truth it is serving to support kids with serious needs. At Sydney SPOT we are very proud to have Social Workers who hold Masters qualifications in Play Therapy, and have over 10 years experience. Please contact us if you would like to know more! Ph: (02) 9379 3322 www.sydneyspot.com.au #playtherapy #sydneyspot #counselling #socialwork #socialworker #fosterkids #trauma #play #selfesteem #bullying #anxiety #depression #kidsdepression #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #attention #add #adhd #attentiondeficit #selfregulation

17.01.2022 APP REVIEW: The Sounding Out Machine- Assistive Reading Device ($9.99) This week at Sydney SPOT we have been trialling the new reading app called The Sounding Out Machine. This app assists young readers to decode difficult words they face when reading. The reader can simply take a photo of the page they are reading, select from the photo word they want to learn to read, type in the letters to match the word in the photo, and listen to the word be broken into sounds and syllab...les. The reader also learns how to blend these sounds together to make the word. https://appsto.re/au/zDxx_.i Pros: - uses a phonics-based approach to decode the word - shows how to break up words into sounds and syllables verbally and visually - shows how to blend sounds together - includes cards to help the reader decide the word by revealing parts of the word they want - the app is interactive and easy to navigate - the app stores the words you have previously looked up - you can email your list of words to parents/teachers to show which words have been tricky to read. -can either take a photo of target word or simply type in to assist reading Cons: - the app doesnt use word recognition from the photos taken, which requires the reader to match the letters on the keypad to the photo accurately - the default voice has only an American accent option, which results in variations of pronunciation of words for Australian readers.

16.01.2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you all had a lovely break... Were back in the office and looking forward to seeing you all soon :)

15.01.2022 The home environment can be a positive learning environment for children to develop basic, functional communication skills . Feel-good childhood memories of reading a favourite book on a parents lap or singing nursery rhymes couples with hand actions are opportunities where children can learn new language, exercise pre-literacy skills and learn social skills, all while strengthening their communication skills http://theconversation.com/parents-have-the-biggest-influen

15.01.2022 Proud to share this link profiling our amazing Play Therapist, Helen Owen!

14.01.2022 Does raising your child bilingually cause language delays? Does it confuse a child if you teach him/her more than one language? This article from The Conversation addresses these common questions and myths about bilingual children. #language #bilingual #bilingualism #theconversation #speechpathology http://theconversation.com/debunking-common-myths-about-rai

14.01.2022 The evidence supporting a phonics approach to literacy instruction is well established. This lovely article explains the difference between different phonics approaches; Synthetic Phonics, which is explicit and systematic (& most evidence based for beginning readers). When children have learnt letter-sound relationships, they are quickly moved to application/blending of sounds for reading, and segmenting and blending sounds for writing, Embedded Phonics, which enco...urages pointing out phonics incidentally to students while reading texts, & Analytic Phonics, which involves drawing a childs attention to word parts. This link also makes the important point that early instruction should ideally include explicit teaching with regard to writing At Sydney SPOT, we follow a synthetic phonics approach, and given our team is lead by a dual qualified Speech Pathologist & Occupational Therapist, our clients always receive integrated intervention targeting reading and writing! https://www.ecu.edu.au//pd/0012/663699/SA-DECS-Phonics.pdf

14.01.2022 Happy Speech Pathology Week! https://www.facebook.com/SpeechPathologyAustralia/posts/1483000915072194:0

13.01.2022 An interesting read!

13.01.2022 Do you know someone who rests their tongue on their teeth/out of their lips or even pokes their tongue out when they swallow? They may have a tongue thrust. Common signs of a tongue thrust in adults include headaches, snoring, sleep apnoea, clicky jaw, tooth and gum disease, regression of orthodontic treatment. Tongue thrust swallow patterns are normal in infants who are breast or bottle feeding, though this pattern should change to a mature swallow pattern where the t...ongue tip rests against the roof of the mouth behind the top teeth when swallowing. A tongue thrust swallow pattern may be retained due to: thumb/finger sucking, sucking clothing, mouthing objects (chewing pens), nail biting, large tonsils or adenoids, allergies/nasal congestion, or tongue tie. Chewing with the mouth open is a warning sign that a tongue thrust may be present. Tongue thrusts can also be associated with the production of lispy s and z speech sounds or even other speech sounds, resulting in speech that can be difficult to understand. If you suspect you or someone you know may have a tongue thrust, book in with one of our speech pathologists for an assessment on 9389 3322. #sydneyspot #tonguethrust #speechpathology #slp #orthodontics #bronte #waverley #camperdown #thumbsucking

13.01.2022 Ever wondered what the inside of someones mouth does when they sing? Speech pathologists use real-time fluoroscopy to capture footage of swallowing technique to diagnose swallowing disorders. This MRI footage shows the cross section usually seen for swallowing observations, however, the man in the footage is singing! This is mesmerising and fascinating - look at that tongue move!

13.01.2022 Very happy to be sharing this wonderful video - spread the word so we can embrace the move to common terminology! Main features of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): - Severe language problems that interfere with communication in everyday life and/or learning. - It is anticipated that difficulties will be ongoing without intervention. - Is not to be excluded when other diagnoses present (eg. ADD or Developmental Coordination Disorder)

12.01.2022 Our Director Kate Broderick is heading off to Griffith tomorrow to meet families who live in isolated regions of NSW. Our affiliate practice SPOT Rural is excited to be breaking down barriers - making quality allied health care accessible to anyone, anywhere. Know somebody who lives in a rural or remote area and needs help? Contact: www.spotrural.com.au #sydneyspot #spotrural #speechpathology #occupationaltherapy #therapy #kids #telehealth

10.01.2022 Hypermobility, colloquially described as "double jointedness," is a condition whereby joints can move beyond their expected range of motion. It is often inherited and is associated with changes in the protein, collagen, in the ligaments. For some people, like gymnasts, dancers , and those with contortionist party tricks , hypermobility is an asset For others, it can cause pain and functional difficulties with everyday activities like running , dressing or writing ... Unfortunately, we cant change ligament length through exercises. However, Physio or Occupational Therapy to improve muscle strength and modify techniques or approaches to tasks, definitely can help! #hypermobility #occupationaltherapy #physiotherapy #handfunction #lifeskills #adaptation #modification #handwriting #pencilgrip #ligaments #doublejointed #function #sydneyspot #spotrural

08.01.2022 Is it easy to imagine that the Autism Spectrum is a linear line between low functioning to high functioning autism, however, the Autism Spectrum is much more complicated and multi-faceted. This handy infographic visually explains what the Autism Spectrum is actually like and the stresses that are experienced by people on the autism spectrum. Note: We use people-first language at Sydney SPOT, so we would use person with autism/ person on the autism spectrum as an alternative to the language of "autistic person" used in the infographic. #autism #asd #sydneyspot #speechpathology #occupationaltherapy #communication #autismspectrum

08.01.2022 Practising speech sounds can be fun and can involve the childs interests to further motivate them. We used a construction course to navigate to our target word cards, collecting rocks along the way in the truck. Our client loved it so much he wanted to play it again! #speech #speechpathology #slp #sydneyspot #articulation #waverley #bronte #camperdown #therapy #kids #truck

07.01.2022 Tummy Time What? Time spent lying on the tummy, propped up on forearms Why? To support development of postural muscles in neck, shoulders & back - important in short term for head control & readiness for transitioning to solid foods! When? From birth How long? 1-15minutes... How often? 3 times a day Safety? Always stay with your baby Fun? Use toys, books, mirrors and your own face to ensure its engaging. This is a wonderful starting point for developing Joint Attention, which broadly supports cognitive development, and is particularly important for speech and language development! If youre the parent or carer of a reflux baby, it can be hard to face this activity, but in fact, for reflux babies (who often have tethered soft tissues), this is even more important! Try modifying tummy time by lying baby over your lap or on a wedge cushion. You can still comfortably create opportunities for baby to hold their head up against gravity if you keep it on your radar For more info and great visuals, check out: www.raisingchildern.net.au

06.01.2022 A great message! Our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are always looking for mouth breathing, as it so frequently accompanies issues with speech, swallowing, posture and learning! Even when nasal obstruction has been resolved, a habit of mouth breathing may continue - luckily we can help! Contact us for more info or check out our website (look for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, under Services)

04.01.2022 This article is a fantastic meta analysis of a pattern we see every day in our practice - Asthma, hay fever and food allergy are associated with speech disorder. The study concludes that further research is required to establish the nature of the association, but as a starting point it seems likely that the correlation might lie with the need to mouth breathe: Mouth breathing causes a low resting tongue posture, which affects orofacial development (structure), and maturation of the swallow (ie. A tongue thrust swallow is retained). Those with a tongue thrust swallow often experience speech difficulties such as a lisp on s and z sounds, where the tongue protrudes anteriorly rather than remaining behind the upper incisors >>

04.01.2022 At Sydney SPOT, we are particularly passionate about supporting children with learning disabilities, many of whom have underlying issues with executive functioning; processing speed, working memory and attention. We see girls in our practice every day, from age 5 to 18 (& sometimes older), who are experiencing difficulties associated with ADHD; predominately the inattentive type. Under diagnosis of ADHD in this population is a huge issue. Girls who have ADHD (& of course man...y boys too...particularly those who are bright and work hard to mask their symptoms), are at high risk for low self esteem, anxiety and depression. We see these secondary psychological issues every day in our adolescent clients, so were very happy to share this article to raise awareness of the presentation & prevalence of ADHD in females, throughout the life span. Please read https://qz.com//decades-of-failing-to-recognize-adhd-in-g/

03.01.2022 A wonderful article discussing the relationship between sucking habits and speech development! At Sydney SPOT we have a special interest in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy - the area of practice that focuses on supporting families to successfully break habits affecting their childs facial development and speech. For more detailed information, you can check out our website and read the Thumb Sucking, Tongue Thrust and Orofacial Myology sections under Services, or give... us a call! (02) 9389 3322 www.sydneyspot.com.au See more

03.01.2022 Speech Pathology Team hitting the #lemonade while waiting for the (very late) #furniture delivery truck New therapy rooms will be open Monday #cantwait #exciting #speechpathology #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #physiotherapy #psychology #socialwork #playtherapy #alliedhealth #teamwork #multidisciplinary #transdisciplinary #office #newoffice #officemove #therapygym #sydneyspot #spotrural

03.01.2022 This article is a couple of years old, however, it is still very relevant and informative to parents out there who are unsure if they should take their child to a speech pathologist for stuttering issues. http://theconversation.com/the-most-important-thing-for-a-s

03.01.2022 Why you should think twice about giving children sippy cups... http://blog.asha.org/2014//09/step-away-from-the-sippy-cup/ #tonguethrust #orofacialmyology #speechpathology #thumbsucking #fingersucking

02.01.2022 Hi All This post is a little delayed but Ive noticed we are still gaining some followers even though this SPOT account has been quiet for some time now while weve been setting up our new website, Facebook and Instagram accounts! Please check out our new website: www.spottherapyhub.com.au You can sign up for our monthly newsletter and check out our MEDIA page for links to our Blogs!... We have a fantastic new office in the Royal Randwick Shopping Centre - its a clinic and a hub of learning for professionals and parents Hope you decide to jump on over. Have a great weekend!

02.01.2022 At Sydney SPOT we work with children & families to find a therapy solution that works for everybody Thats why we offer: Home Visits & School Visits Contact us for more information: www.sydneyspot.com.au (02) 9389 3322... #sydneyspot #therapy #homevisit #schoolvisit #teamwork #familycentredcare #clientcentered #speechpathology #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #psychology #socialwork #playtherapy #physiotherapy #wecometoyou #outoftheoffice

01.01.2022 "Pretend play is a critical part of childrens development...building language, social/emotional and problem solving skills" http://www.hanen.org//Encouraging-Pretend-Play-in-Children

01.01.2022 Sydney SPOT wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. See you all in 2016! #sydneyspot #speechpathology #occupationaltherapy