Smithfield Speech Pathology

20/10/2025

Celebrating my 5th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

01/10/2025

Well..it's International Coffee Day and a couldn't go past a Speech Pathology related coffee joke :)
📷Speaking of Semantics

28/09/2025

09/09/2025

So proud of my beautiful client who in less than a year is using sentences independently and spontaneously on his app. With this little guy, we are using a text to speech app as he prefers to type. Today he wanted me to find a specific song on you tube and this is what he typed. Glad that we have technology to give this little guy a voice!

06/09/2025

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers and Father figures.
Thank you for all that you do and for being you!

📷The Economic Times

30/08/2025

Independence through Communication

Communication helps us live independently and express ourselves freely.

Speech pathologists foster autonomy and independence at every stage of life.

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPweek

28/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FGZgHh8A1/

26/08/2025

12/08/2025

19/06/2025

Beautiful handmade flowers received from my client! Wow what a talent! Thank you for sharing these with me.

05/06/2025

Autistic burnout involves more than just feeling “tired.”And it can impact every part of daily life, from sensory sensitivity to emotional regulation, to managing basic needs.

Some common experiences associated with of Autistic burnout, include:

🌀 Increased sensitivity to sensory input

😣 Difficulty managing emotions

⚙️ Increased difficulty adapting to change

🔁 A rise in repetitive behaviors and other autistic traits

🌙 Mood may drop as overwhelm builds, with increased feelings of hopelessness or non-existence fantasies. Burnout can also become a pathway to depression.

🎭 Reduced ability to mask (this is a reason burnout is a common time for many to be identified as Autistic).

✨ Starting next week, we’ll be launching a new series all about Autistic burnout — what causes it, how it shows up, and ways to support recovery. Stay tuned!

23/05/2025

🗺️ 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱-𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆!

⦿ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲:
Set up an environment where a variety of toys, art supplies, and sensory materials are accessible. This encourages children to choose what interests them the
most, further fostering that
sense of autonomy.

⦿ 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻:
Pay close attention to both the themes and scenarios children explore during play. Listen to their conversations, even if they’re talking to themselves or their toys, as this can provide valuable insights into their thoughts and emotions.

⦿ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁:
While it can be tempting to offer suggestions or intervene, practice restraint. Let the child take the lead, and only join the play if they invite you to or if there is an unsafe situation unfolding.

⦿ 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
When you do participate, ask open-ended questions that encourage deeper thinking and conversation. This can help children reflect on their play and experiences.

⦿ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Positive feedback fosters a sense of pride and independence, motivating them to continue exploring and leading in their play and elsewhere.