Mustard Seed Kids

22/10/2025

Well done, Changi Airport !

16/09/2025

30/04/2025

📖 Finally got my hands on the book 'Life on the Bridge' by Kaelynn Partlow and it’s one of those books that really sticks with you.

Kaelynn shares what it’s like navigating the world as an autistic person and therapist—and it’s raw, honest, and full of perspective we all need to hear.

Highly recommend for anyone working/living with autistic individuals, or just wanting to understand neurodiversity in a more human, real way. 💛

She'd also be a great one to follow on facebook! Kaelynn’s Autistic Angle

20/04/2025

“They’ll Grow Out of It” – or Will They?

It’s something we hear a lot. And yes, sometimes it’s true.
But sometimes... it’s not.
Delays in speech and language can have a huge knock-on effect on learning, behaviour, friendships and confidence.
Early support isn’t overreacting—it’s empowering. 💪❤️
If you’ve been wondering, “Should we do something?”—that’s your sign.

14/04/2025

Three-year-olds begin to be chatty and inquisitive - are they asking lots of questions and using 4-5 word sentences to speak?
If you're noticing that your 3-year-old isn't meeting many of these milestones, consulting a speech pathologist can provide clarity and support.

31/03/2025

"Autism? She doesn't look autistic. She doesn't seem anything like Rain Man...."

BACK in the day, terms like "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" have been used to describe autistic individuals; however, these labels can be limiting and fail to capture the diverse experiences of autistic individuals. A more holistic approach is the Autism Wheel, which illustrates the multifaceted nature of autism without reducing individuals to a single category.

Autism Wheel represents various traits and characteristics as segments, acknowledging that each autistic person has a unique combination of these traits. This model promotes a more personalized understanding of autism.

26/03/2025

Q: Can I bring my other children along to speech therapy?
A: Absolutely! We often have siblings in our therapy sessions. Not only can it be hard to find care, but sessions often have to mimic what happens at home. Very often I would get an idea on how parents can incorporate home practice with their other children, to make it fun and doable.

This was a portrait of me done by the sister of one of my clients who came along to
a session due to a curriculum day at school.
This was exactly what I was wearing that day - I'm not sure if I WINKED though! 😉

18/03/2025

I love this!

This is a great example of how to make situations more accessible and less anxiety-inducing.

A clear walkthrough about what to expect, and what options there are if someone should feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable.

17/03/2025

Did you know? Autistic individuals exhibiting Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) behaviors aren't being defiant; these actions often arise from underlying anxiety and a profound need for control.

PDA is characterized by extreme avoidance of everyday demands due to heightened anxiety about losing control. This can manifest as making excuses, diverting attention, or having meltdowns when faced with demands.

One of my FAVOURITE strategies is to reduce pressure by offering choices. Providing options allows individuals to feel a sense of control, thereby alleviating anxiety associated with demands.

By recognizing the anxiety-driven nature of PDA behaviors and adapting our interactions, we can create more supportive environments for autistic individuals.

14/03/2025

How can it be more than 20 years since I was a student here?!

Walking down memory lane today, as I spend the day at the ELVS Research Symposium.

The Early Language in Victoria Study (ELVS) is a huge 21-year longitudinal study of almost 2000 children, tracking their speech and language development throughout the years.

So invigorated by all the findings and discussions with some of the leading experts in the field!

13/03/2025

While every child develops uniquely, certain signs might indicate the need for speech therapy.

Currently, my youngest client is a little two-year-old who started babbling very late, and at two, did not say more than 5 single words.

If you're noticing that your 2-year-old isn't meeting many of these milestones, consulting a speech pathologist can provide clarity and support.

09/03/2025

LABOUR DAY LONG WEEKEND!

What do you like getting up to on long weekends?

We rest from our labours and play boardgames!

I have been a total boardgame geek for years, and get so much fun and joy from them, and would make my kids play them regardless (!) but here are some developmental benefits to playing boardgames with children:

🧠 Enhance Cognitive Skills: Board games often involve counting, reading, and strategic thinking, which can boost your child's math and literacy abilities.

💞 Develop Social Skills: Playing games teaches children valuable lessons in taking turns, following rules, and cooperating with others, fostering empathy and communication.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Improve Emotional Intelligence: Experiencing wins and losses in a game setting helps children manage emotions, build resilience, and learn sportsmanship.