Sea SALT

24/03/2026

✨ New Medicare Support for Children’s Speech Therapy (M10 Pathway)
Families across the Northern Illawarra and Eastern Suburbs now have access to significant Medicare rebates for children who need speech therapy.
If your child is experiencing:
• Stuttering
• Speech sound difficulties
• Cleft lip or palate
• Challenges with clarity, confidence, or communication
…the M10 Speech Pathology Pathway can help.

What the M10 Pathway Gives Your Child
• Up to 8 rebated assessment sessions
• Up to 20 rebated therapy sessions
• Up to $87.25 back per session
• Available for children and young people under 25
• Can be used alongside Chronic Condition Management (CCM) plans

How to Access It
1. Book a GP appointment
2. Ask for an M10 Speech Pathology Assessment Referral
3. Sea S.A.L.T. Complete the assessment with you
4. Your GP can then issue an M10 Treatment Referral

It’s simple, supportive, and designed to help families access the care they need sooner.

Sea S.A.L.T. provides:
• In‑clinic sessions
• Telehealth across NSW
• Urgent home visits when needed
• Clear reports for GPs, schools, and allied health teams

If you’d like help understanding the pathway or booking an assessment, you can reach out anytime https://www.seasaltspeechpathology.com/

Your child’s communication matters and support is now more accessible than ever.

• Speech Pathology Australia – MBS/M10 info
https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
• Medicare MBS (Speech Pathology items)
https://www.mbsonline.gov.au
• Health.gov.au – Medicare support for children
https://www.health.gov.au

16/03/2026

Enquire today about Speech Pathology ❤️

16/03/2026

Sometimes small, inexpensive toys are the best! We bought this hot wheels toy recently in Kmart and there are so many amazing and fun ways to target different language levels with this great game.

You could even add stickers over the numbers with speech sounds if you’re working on articulation!

At Sea S.A.L.T. we keep therapy fun and engaging, but don’t be fooled by all the laughter, we always have a goal we are working on (even if it doesn’t seem obvious to the onlooker!) Hopefully these little videos can demonstrate to you how you may use some of the toys around your house to support your little ones develop their language.

Follow along for more tips and tricks, or contact us today to book an appointment. We have availability for clinic or home/school based sessions in Sydney Eastern Suburbs or Northern Illawarra, or we can offer Telehealth to those further away!

Www.seasaltspeechpathology.com

09/03/2026

Big news for families in the Eastern Suburbs and Northern Illawarra.
Sea S.A.L.T. Speech Pathology now has continued availability in Maroubra and Woonona.

Update: Medicare has expanded the M10 pathway, which means many children may now be eligible for up to 8 assessment sessions and 20 therapy sessions with Medicare support.
If you’re unsure whether your child qualifies, check out the link on our website or come talk to us.

Early support is so important so this is a great update!

27/02/2026

Communication isn’t just words.
It can be pointing, gestures, pictures, expression.

We believe in strengths first, always! We focus on building connection and relationships before everything else. Then we try to expand on the skills the child already has.

Save this for a day when you need reassurance that communication can look different for every child 🤍

20/02/2026

We are beyond excited to bring our services to Northern Illawarra and to open our Woonona clinic🎉🎉 Contact us today for appointments in Woonona or Marouba 🎉

Email: info@seasaltspeechpathology.com

Website: https://www.seasaltspeechpathology.com/newsletter

12/01/2026

✨ Welcome to our clinic ✨
A calm, supportive space where communication is nurtured and every child is supported to thrive.
We’re so glad you’re here 🤍

05/01/2026

We are hiring!! Very excited to bring another wonderful Speech Pathologist onto our team.

We are looking for a caring, compassionate, and experienced therapist who is neurodiverse affirming to join our Maroubra team.

We are a 'client-first' clinic - our client's wellbeing comes above all else and we want someone who shares this mindset!

SPA membership, valid working visa, and own car required. 24 months paediatric experience minimum.

Open to contractor or employee for the right candidate.

04/12/2025

Exciting groups for January 2026 ✨. Please register your interest by emailing info@seasaltspeechpathology.com

11/08/2025

28/07/2025

What Is Key Word Sign? 🫶

Key Word Sign is a simplified form of signing that uses gestures alongside spoken words. It’s not the same as full sign language like Auslan—it’s used to support speech, not replace it.

For example, instead of signing every word in “We have to go home to eat our sandwiches,” you’d say the full sentence but only sign the key words: “GO HOME” and “EAT”.

How Does It Help Verbal Language?

- Builds Understanding Before Talking
Children often understand more than they can say. Signing gives them a way to express themselves before their speech catches up.

- Reduces Frustration
When kids can’t get their message across, they can feel upset. Signing helps them feel heard and understood, which boosts confidence.

-Supports Memory and Learning
Using both hands and voice helps reinforce the meaning of words. It’s like giving the brain two ways to remember something.

-Encourages Listening and Attention
Signing slows down adult speech and highlights key words, making it easier for children to focus on what’s important.

- Doesn’t Delay Speech
A common myth is that signing will stop kids from talking. In fact, research shows it often encourages speech by making communication rewarding.

14/07/2025

Every child grows at their own pace, but here’s a helpful guide to what you can generally expect with speech and language skills during the toddler and preschool years. Contact us today if you have any concerns.

🧸 Age 2: Early Talker Stage

What you might notice:

Combining words: “More juice,” “Go car,” “Bye Daddy.”
Growing vocabulary: Around 50+ words, picking up more every week!
Understanding simple instructions: Like “Come here” or “Where’s your nose?”
Copying words and sounds: Mimicking adults, songs, or sounds from books.

Speech Sounds Emerging:
By 2 years, most children begin using the following early-developing sounds:
✅ P, B, M, D, N, H, W

These are made with the lips or front of the mouth, and are often easier for little ones to say first. Some words may still be unclear, but that's okay — it's all part of learning!

🎨 Age 3: The Little Conversationalist

What you might notice:

Speaking in 3–4 word sentences: “I want more blocks,” or “That my car.”
Improved speech clarity: About 75% of what they say is understood by unfamiliar adults.
Understanding more complex ideas: Like “on top,” “under,” or “big and little.”
Asking lots of questions: Why? Where? Who? It’s their way of learning!

Speech Sounds Developing:
By 3 years, children often add:
✅ T, K, G, F, NG (as in “sing”)
✅ Continued use of: P, B, M, D, N, H, W

They may still substitute harder sounds (like saying “tat” for “cat”), but they're learning quickly. Clusters (like “sp” or “tr”) and later sounds are still developing.

🐸 Age 4: Imaginative and Expressive

What you might notice:

Telling stories and sharing ideas: “Yesterday we went to the zoo and saw lions!”
Using full sentences with proper grammar (e.g., “She is running fast”).
Clearer speech: Most people outside the family can understand them.
Describing feelings and experiences: “I feel sad,” or “That was fun!”

Speech Sounds Developing:
By 4 years, children often use:
✅ Y, L, S, CH, SH, V, Z
✅ Continued use of all earlier sounds

Some trickier sounds like R, TH, and blends (e.g., “sp,” “bl,” “tr”) may still be developing. That's completely normal at this stage.

💡 Tips to Support Your Child’s Speech & Language

Talk through daily routines: “We’re washing your hands. Rub, rub!”
Read every day: Choose interactive books with fun sounds and rhymes.
Give choices: “Do you want the red cup or the blue one?”
Model and repeat: If your child says “tat,” you can say, “Yes! That’s a cat.”

And remember — celebrating every attempt is just as important as the words themselves!

📚 References:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Developmental norms for speech sound acquisition
[www.asha.org](https://www.asha.org)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Developmental Milestones
[www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones)
Bowen, C. (1998): Developmental phonology – Speech sound norms
[www.speech-language-therapy.com](https://www.speech-language-therapy.com)