Communicate Better Speech Pathology

09/09/2025

Amie has been very busy today, creating a mealtime communication board. Meals are a great time for modelling AAC in a fun and engaging way while your child eats.

02/09/2025

💫💫 We are seeking additional speech pathologists to join our rapidly expanding team in 2026. If you are passionate about speech pathology and interested in addressing service gaps in the Limestone Coast region, please reach out. Experienced and new graduates speech pathologists are encouraged to apply. 💫💫

28/08/2025

Some great videos from AssistiveWare on some fun ways to model AAC in the classroom. 👏✅🤗

School is just around the corner, so start modeling from day one.

Our three classroom videos model for you. Fun songs, characters, and puppets keep your students engaged, while you support inclusion and participation.

Watch the videos through this link: https://buff.ly/xTYXKSC

27/08/2025

💫 Setting up a new device today, feeling energised to unlock its full potential! Utilising TD Snap with motor memory setup, we are eager to dive into modelling and explore new communication possibilities.💫

25/08/2025

🗣️ Your Voice is Your Power

This Speech Pathology Week, we celebrate the life-changing impact of communication. Whether it's a first word, a gesture, or an AAC symbol, every voice matters.

At Communicate Better, we empower children to connect, express, and thrive. Because when we support communication, we unlock potential.

💬 This week, let’s amplify every voice.
💪 Let’s champion autonomy.
🌏 Let’s create spaces where communication is celebrated in all its forms.

Happy Speech Pathology Week!

10/07/2025

Meet Heather! The face behind Communicate Better. A service that is designed to provide passionate care and community connection.

As an experienced owner operator, Heather brings more than expertise to the table. With a deep passion for accessible communication, she’s dedicated to ensuring everyone has the tools and support they need to express themselves, connect meaningfully and thrive.

Heather believes every voice matters, spoken, signed, symbol based AAC and she is on a mission to expand services that honour those voices. Whether she’s collaborating with families, mentoring support teams, or building pathways for neurodivergent children, her vision is clear: a community that includes everyone.

💭 communication🤝 connection 🏡 community based services.

29/06/2025

When we model AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) during everyday moments and a child’s special interests, we’re not just teaching language; we’re building trust, joy, and connection.

✨ Let's consider:

During a dinosaur play session: “ROAR,” “big,” “go,” “stomp”

While baking: “mix,” “more,” “hot,” “yum”

At pack-up time: “all done,” “help,” “clean,” “next”

By weaving AAC into what a child loves, we make communication meaningful and motivating. And when we embed it into routines, we make it predictable and powerful.

Let’s show our AAC users that their voice belongs everywhere: in the classroom, at home, and in the heart of what makes them smile. 💛

05/06/2025

Today, our team had the honour of presenting to a dedicated group of educational support staff at Tenison Woods College. It was a privilege to share our knowledge and provide additional tools to help them support their students. Their passion and commitment to inclusive education is inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their journey.🌟👏🌟

15/05/2025

This morning, Heather had the pleasure of teaching linguistics to a fantastic group of local second year students. Linguistics is all about understanding the sounds, words, and rules that shape human language and how we communicate. The availability of a local speech pathology degree is a game changer, strengthening allied health services right here in our region.

If you are passionate about helping others, why not explore the local speech pathology degree now available in the Limestone Coast. It is a great opportunity to build a stronger healthcare network together.

13/05/2025

Did you know that the way we talk about toys can actually help kids develop stronger language skills? Toy talk is an evidence-based strategy that encourages children to use more complex sentence structures and expand their vocabulary- all through play!

Here’s how you can use toy talk at home:

✅ Talk about what the toy is doing - instead of saying “I am driving the car,” say “The car is driving.”

✅Use the toy name instead of pronouns - instead of saying “He’s barking,” say “The dog is barking.”

✅Describe actions instead of asking questions - instead of “What is the cow doing?” Say “The cow is eating the grass.”

By making small changes in how we talk during play, we can help children develop stronger grammar, sentence structure and communication skills.

11/05/2025

Thank you, Mums, for everything, you do! Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

06/05/2025

Over the weekend, I received a special message from a dear little friend. He asked to come to my clinic, which he affectionately calls “Heather’s home.” A huge thank you to my families who share these special moments with me.

As a connection-based speech pathologist, I prioritise building strong relationships with my clients to create a supportive and trusting environment. I understand that meaningful communication begins with connection, so I tailor my approach to each child, incorporating their interests to foster engagement and confidence. Through play, shared experiences, and genuine interaction, I help children develop functional communication skills that go beyond words—enabling them to express themselves, connect with others, and navigate the world.

The approach I use is not just about communication; it’s about empowering children to feel understood, build relationships, express emotions, and thrive socially.