Overland Speech Therapy

10/12/2025

🌿 That’s a wrap for 2025! 🌿

Overland Speech Therapy is now taking a break for the holidays and will reopen when school returns in 2026.

As I’ve shared before, after over a decade in this beautiful area, my family and I are heading back to the Hunter at the end of the year. When Overland Speech Therapy reopens next year, I’ll be working with a very small existing client caseload one day a week, along with a small availability for external clinical supervision for speech pathologists.

I want to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful clients, families, and services across the Nepean, Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury communities who are finishing up this year. It has truly been a privilege to be a small part of your journey — your trust has meant the world. 💛 Even with such an exciting adventure ahead, it’s definitely bittersweet.

For any urgent enquiries during the closure period, please email alannah@overlandspeechtherapy.com.au.

~ Alannah

11/11/2025

🌿 A New Chapter for Overland Speech Therapy 🌿

After over a decade of living in the area — and almost three wonderful years of providing Speech Pathology services across the Nepean, Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury regions under Overland Speech Therapy — my family and I will be relocating at the end of this year. 💛

I would like to sincerely thank all the incredible families, schools, preschools, therapists, professionals, and community services I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. Your trust, collaboration, and support have meant so much — I hold deep gratitude for this beautiful community and the connections built along the way, and have immense respect for the families within it.

Overland Speech Therapy is now no longer accepting new enquiries or referrals. I will continue to provide face-to-face services locally until Friday 5th December, and will continue to offer external clinical supervision to speech pathologists via telehealth. Thank you to all current clients and families for your understanding and support during this transition.

From the Nepean and Hawkesbury to the Paterson and Allyn Rivers, and from the Blue Mountains to the Moonabung Ranges — thank you for being part of this journey, and for new beginnings ahead. 🌸

(Photo thanks to Miss 6 — also now known as the “Gate Girl” of our new home!)

~ Alannah

10/11/2025

🌺 Remembrance Day | Lest We Forget
Today we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who have served — and those who continue to serve — in defence of our freedom and peace, and for the freedoms we hold dear — including the freedom to communicate, connect, and belong.
Lest we forget. ❤️

26/09/2025

🌸✨ Last day of Term 3! ✨🌸

Wishing all our families a happy and safe start to the spring school holidays. 🌼☀️

Overland Speech Therapy will be running reduced hours at the beginning of next week, before taking a short break. Please note we’ll be on leave from Thursday 2nd October and back at work on Tuesday 14th October.

Enjoy the sunshine and school holiday fun – we look forward to seeing you in Term 4! 🌿💛

23/09/2025

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the TGA join with other global medicines regulators, leading clinicians and scientists worldwide in rejecting claims regarding the use of paracetamol in pregnancy, and the subsequent risk of development of ADHD or autism in children.

Robust scientific evidence shows no causal link between the use of paracetamol in pregnancy and autism or ADHD, with several large and reliable studies directly contradicting these claims.

Paracetamol remains the recommended treatment option for pain or fever in pregnant women when used as directed. Importantly, untreated fever and pain can pose risks to the unborn baby, highlighting the importance of managing these symptoms with recommended treatment. Pregnant women should speak to their healthcare professionals if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy.

Read more: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/paracetamol-use-pregnancy

23/09/2025

16/09/2025

Today is Face It Day - to raise awareness of kids with Childhood Dementia. We were asked this year if we would share our journey and because we know it will help many other families on the journey we have.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/wellbeing/young-siblings-diagnosed-with-childhood-dementia/news-story/0f15a5c17186f6bba88c033c956ab65b

09/09/2025

💛 September 10 each year marks ***dePreventionDay 💛 (CONTINUED)...

Given that 29% of Australians have reached out to a support service 📞 in the last 12 months, it is important to know what services are available to support people.

If you or someone else is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important to stay safe and seek help immediately.

Emergency support:
🚨 Call 000 if there is immediate risk of harm

24/7 confidential support:
📞 Lifeline: 13 11 14
💛 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
🧒 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
📲 NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
📲 Su***de Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Safe Haven provides a safe, community-based alternative to the emergency department for people experiencing suicidal distress. No appointment or referral is needed.
🏠 Penrith Head to Health Centre (111 Henry St, Penrith)
🕐 Open 7 days: 1:00pm–9:30pm Mon, Wed–Sun & public holidays; 1:00pm–5:00pm Tues
🌐 Other locations: Safe Haven NSW

Other helpful supports:
👩‍⚕️ GP or local doctor for ongoing mental health care and referrals
🌐 Health NSW support contact list
🏥 Wentworth Healthcare Nepean Blue Mountains resources
📱 Beyond Now app (Beyond Blue): https://www.beyondblue.org.au/.../beyondnow-su***de
🎓 Mental health training: https://www.lifelinemws.org.au/training
🏛️ NSW Official Visitor Program (inpatient advocacy): 1800 208 218 | https://officialvisitorsmh.nsw.gov.au/Pages/OVP.aspx

Together, we can ***de and help create a future where more lives are supported, heard, and saved. 💛

09/09/2025

💛 September 10 each year marks ***dePreventionDay 💛

Did you know that in Australia, during the past ten years, the rate of su***de deaths has increased by 10%, with over 3,000 people dying by su***de each year, and more than 55,000 Australians making a su***de attempt? Men make up 75% of deaths by su***de, and su***de remains the leading cause of death for young people. Rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are double that of non-Indigenous Australians, and nearly 77% of Australians report elevated distress, driven by cost-of-living pressures, debt, relationship breakdown, and social isolation .

These numbers are difficult to comprehend, but behind every statistic is a person, a family, a story. This day has always been close to my heart, and even more so since losing mum to su***de in 2020 💛, following many years of mental health difficulties and the sudden loss of dad the year prior.

The theme for 2025, “Changing the Narrative on Su***de”, challenges us to transform how we think and talk about su***de — from silence and stigma to empathy, understanding, and action. Everyone in our community can play a role in preventing su***de, not only on this day but every day of the year.

This year however is particularly important. We are part of a national day of action. We’ve written to our local MP calling for 💛📝 full funding and implementation of the National Su***de Prevention Strategy 📝💛. Despite the release of this strategy earlier this year, there is no commitment from the government to fully fund it nor implement it — and we’re inviting you to join us. The more voices, the louder the impact.

You can download the MP Engagement Toolkit to send to your MP here:https://www.su***depreventionaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/World-Su***de-Prevention-Day-–-MP-Engagement-Toolkit-and-Day-of-Action-3.pdf

Together, we can ***de and help create a future where more lives are supported, heard, and saved. 💛

08/09/2025

Our school holiday program launches today!
Join us from 30 September to 9 October for a fun-filled lineup of activities for children and teens! From hands-on workshops to captivating performances, there's something for everyone:

🦎 Backyard Bugs with Raptor Reptiles
🐾 Clay Animals Workshop
🎨 Mini Canvas Mandalas
🕯️ Candle Making Workshop
🎩 JD’s World of Magic Show
🪄 Magic Workshop with Joel Howlett
🚗 Car Maintenance Workshops
🔧 Plus, drop in for a free activity at Mini Makers!

👉 Book your tickets now: https://brnw.ch/21wVlMk

06/09/2025

💙 Happy Father’s Day 💙

Today we celebrate all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who bring love, guidance, and strength into our lives. Your care and encouragement make a lasting difference, and today is about recognising all that you do.

We also acknowledge that Father’s Day can be a tender time for many — for those missing loved ones, navigating grief, or carrying complex feelings. Our thoughts are with you.

Wishing everyone a day of gratitude and connection. 💙

03/09/2025

HAPPY INDIGENOUS LITERACY DAY ☀️🩵🎶

This year, we celebrate the theme Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations 🖤💛❤️

Join us at 10:30 am AEST to watch the FILM and LIVESTREAM!

🔗 Register Now! https://link.ilf.org.au/4g816Wk