SLP by the Sea

24/02/2023

Thanks to for encouraging me to post this review. I find that I’m often active and connecting with likeminded colleagues on this platform, but rarely ever posting and need to be sharing from my side more often.

A few months ago, I posted in stories that I was trialling engage plus and received a number of messages asking for a follow up. Better late than never 😅:

The LOOP earplugs I trialled (and now very regularly use) are called ‘engage plus’ and they have both silicone and foam bud options with a variety of sizes to choose from. The ‘plus’ also comes with the white mute insert to reduce sound by a further 5dB if required.

To let you know how much I would highly recommend these, I have worn them with success at-
Music festival
On plane trips
On a bus
On a noisy steam train
At busy shopping centres
At cafes
Around town
Hiking

From my own personal experience, as an autistic ADHDer with GAD, when I wear LOOP engage plus, they significantly reduce surrounding sound and definitely assist with reducing the impacts of highly stimulating and overwhelming environments. I do find that I can usually only wear them for a couple of hours at a time before needing to give my ears a 15-20 minute break, but then I can put them back in with minimal worries.

As with any product, and especially for us neurodivergent peeps, no one product is going to work for everybody. We all experience and interact with the world around us in very different ways. This is my own personal experience using this product.

If you do decide to give them a go, or have trialled them already, it would be great if you could please share your thoughts below so that others can see more lived experience reviews before making the decision to give these a go. It’s a big yes from me, but I’d love to know what you think too 😊

27/12/2022

20/10/2022

Hi, hello there. Welcome to SLP by the Sea. Continue reading and you might just learn a little something about me (see what I did there?)-

• I’m Ash (she/her), a certified practising Speechie who runs SLP by the Sea, a neurodiversity-affirming, client-centred, LGBTQIA+ ally, culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed speech-language pathology private practice for kids, teens and young adults.

• As an AuDHDer myself, and in addition to being an allied health professional, I’m a person who has lived experience of being neurodivergent in a world predominantly built for neurotypicals.

• I am forever in search of the perfect skinny latte.

• I absolutely love embroidery, and have many unfinished projects on the go.

• I am a firm believer in dopamine dressing. The brighter and quirkier the smock dress and earrings, the better.

• Don’t ask me to choose between cats or dogs. I have one of each and 💯, hands down, it’s a tie.

The neurodiversity movement is a human rights movement. I’m here to provide guidance, therapeutic supports, and advocacy for the kids I see and their families.

Every kid has the right to:
- feel confident communicating with others.
- feel like their authentic self.
- feel safe and supported no matter where they are.

♾🌻🗣

04/10/2022

PSA, Yeppoon. The super lovely, and ever inclusive, Nene (from ) is stocking The Brain Forest by

Please run (safely of course), don’t walk, to get your hands on a copy of the most educational and inclusive children’s book since sliced 🍞!!

The Brain Forest is a beautiful introduction to neurodiversity for children (and the whole family) of all ages, opens conversations for understanding and discussing different brain types (news flash, there are MANY), individual communication styles and preferences, and promotes understanding and acceptance ♥️

01/08/2022

A functional and practical way for alerting those in the community that an augmentative or alternative way of communicating may be required during unexpected moments 🌻

I recently made these for a teenage client, taking into consideration their individual preferences (e.g. the cards can fit into a phone wallet, and the keychain can be discretely looped onto a bag).

Simple, to the point, and effective.

09/05/2022

The new clinic space is finally ready!

Shop 8/ 9 Normanby Street
Yeppoon QLD 4703

By appointment only. Small waitlist currently in place. For all enquiries, email and our website are the best ways to get in touch!

11/04/2022

Play based therapy and fully engaged kids makes the post therapy afternoon deep clean 100% worth it 🙌

04/04/2022

ANNOUNCEMENT: SLP by the Sea has found a new clinic space. It’s nothing extravagant, however it is a step up from my current little suite in the Business Lounge.

Being a sole trader, and working 10 hour days, a few of my favourite features of this new little space include:
- located opposite a wonderful little cafe offering super yummy breakfast and lunch options, plus coffee! Perfect for parents needing a caffeine pick me up, plus the kids will have some great options after a very busy speech session too.
- my own designated parking space (to be made available for clients with mobility needs when requested)
- private toilet (because who doesn’t love having immediate access to their own loo- IBS life- IYKYK)
- kitchenette (for feeding therapy access and cooking related activities with older kids- I am super excited about this one)
- big open therapy space upon entry.
- my own little office/ resource room for all of the admin tasks and organisation that a small business owner needs to keep on top of.
- aircon (a must in Central Queensland)

Currently, I am slowly moving into the new space. In the meantime, please be assured that all sessions will be located at the Business Lounge until you are notified otherwise.

I’ll be posting some sneak peeks over the upcoming weeks, so please keep an eye out for any new updates ☀️

31/03/2022

Beginning term 2, SLP by the Sea will begin offering Orofacial Myofunctional assessment and therapy (OMT).

OMT is beneficial for anyone (from birth to adulthood) experiencing symptoms impacting their daily living activities. These symptoms may include:

- tongue tie (lip, anterior and/or posterior tongue, cheek)
- facial tension and pain
- poor feeding and swallowing patterns
- incorrect tongue rest posture (at rest, does your child’s tongue rest up against their palate? If not, get in touch 😊)
- tongue thrust
- mouth breathing
- poor sleep
- poor behaviour and mood
- nail biting
- thumb/finger sucking
- overuse of a bottle or dummy
- impact on speech sounds, including lisp

We are super excited to offer a more holistic service to our clients. As part of offering an OMT service, we will also be referring on to other health professionals too, where appropriate, as OMT is often a multidisciplinary treatment approach (may include SLP, Dentistry professionals, Chiro, Osteo, ENT, OT, and paediatrics).

If you have any further questions, please get in touch via email or message to enquire about this service for your child 😊

18/01/2022

A little reminder that learning doesn’t just stop after graduation and becoming certified. It is life long.

I tend to get a little carried away when it comes to professional development. Especially when it comes to easily accessible online training options (probably the only good thing to come from covid-19).

Some of the PD’s currently on my wish list are:
• Strengthening your inner scientist: A Paediatric Speech Pathologist’s Guide to Engaging with Evidence by
• Ultimate Play-based Speech Therapy course by
• Inside Out Sensory Certificate course by .slp
• Nuffield Dyspraxia Program
• Selective Mutism
• Attachment and Trauma

10/01/2022

Dear families,
SLP by the Sea has been working hard behind the scenes to try and make the clinic the safest space possible in light of the increasing COVID-19 outbreaks across the country. We are still in the process of updating all forms and finalising protocols for when everyone returns to face to face and/or Telehealth appointments. As a result of this, we have made the decision to postpone sessions starting back until Monday 17th January. Our apologies for the delay in sessions starting back, and we look forward to seeing all of our amazing clients and families soon. Everyone will receive email updates this Thursday. Please keep an eye out as there will be forms that need completing before the return to sessions next week.

Warmest regards, Ashleigh (Speech-Language Pathologist and owner of SLP by the Sea)