Toodle-Loo Speech Pathology

23/03/2026

Tomorrow, I stand with teachers as they strike for increased pay.

As a speech pathologist, I work closely with educators every day—and I see firsthand just how much they give. They’re not just teaching the curriculum. They’re supporting communication, regulation, social connection, and emotional well-being for children with increasingly complex needs.

Many of the children I support simply couldn’t access their learning without the patience, flexibility, and care of their teachers and educational support staff.

When teachers are stretched too thin, it impacts everyone—especially our most vulnerable learners.

This strike isn’t about inconvenience. It’s about sustainability, respect, and ensuring that classrooms remain places where ALL children can thrive.

I support teachers advocating for the time, resources, and conditions they need to do their jobs well—because when we support teachers, we support kids.

Send a message to learn more

20/03/2026

✨ Weekly Win ✨

Today my client - a 6-year-old little legend used a visual lanyard to order from the canteen 🙌

After 3 years of saying “no” to AAC… he did it. Independently. In the real world.

So incredibly proud of you, bud 💛

These are the moments that matter.

09/02/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/YZyNGizPHHs?si=ovujwMXvWJY1i-Jr

This has been a game changer for us.

My 12-year-old exited his classroom today and immediately I could tell that something was off. He gave a me a lop sided grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes and he just seemed dull. He flopped into the car and said “I’m so tired. And my head is killing me.” I asked him if the classroom was loud today and if he used his headphones. He replied that it was and he did but they weren’t charged and were acting up.

He didn’t eat his lunch today because he doesn’t like ham and cheese sandwiches and that’s what dad gave him. He said he was craving sushi. I had a choice to make - I could make him feel worse and chastise him about not eating his lunch, go home where he would inevitably eat junk. Or I could stop by the shops and by him a salmon sushi pack - which is what we did. On the way, he told me he had about two spoons left.

We went to the shops, made a plan to just get the sushi and go straight home, which we did. We made a plan about what happened when he got home. He ate some of the sushi, changed into soft comfy clothes, told dad he had two spoons and asked to be left alone for a while. He chugged some water, had a little cola, and went into his darkened room with a do not disturb sign and his iPad to decompress.

This is what advocating for yourself and your sensory needs looks like. Telling people that you needs space and time is not a weakness.

Learning about his energy levels, the effect that masking has on him and his sensory processing during the school day is life changing. It means we understand what is happening as well so we can validate his feelings and give him what he needs to regulate.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/02/2026

As a neurodiverse affirming, early intervention clinician who is purely mobile - this is pretty accurate!

26/01/2026

Due to the extreme weather conditions for tomorrow (45 degrees Celsius), I will only be working mobile in the morning.

Please stay cool, hydrated and safe during this time.

18/12/2025

Just a reminder to all of my beautiful families that Toodle-Loo will be closed during the Christmas break.

I will be on leave as of this afternoon until January 12th.

Wishing you all a very safe festive period, and see you in 2026.

~ Lou

31/10/2025

Today’s professional development day focuses on Intensive Interaction - an approach that helps children with complex communication needs develop their pre-linguistic skills.

23/08/2025

🚨 URGENT: Protect Autistic Kids – Say NO to the ‘Thriving Kids’ Program 🚨

The government is replacing the NDIS for children with “moderate” autism and developmental delay with a new program called Thriving Kids — but it’s anything but safe.

This change removes individualised supports, therapies, and aids families rely on, replacing them with one-size-fits-all behaviour programs like Inklings, which have no proven long-term safety or effectiveness.

➡️ These programs discourage natural autistic traits, risking mental health harm and forcing families to fit into rigid systems with no real choice or control.
➡️ Parents — especially mothers — may be forced out of the workforce, widening the gender pay gap.
➡️ Small community providers and support workers risk being pushed out, with money redirected to large corporate providers.
➡️ Autistic people and advocates were not meaningfully consulted. This breaks promises made under Australia’s own National Autism Strategy and international rights agreements.

🛑 This is not co-design.
🛑 This is not evidence-based.
🛑 This is not safe.

👉 Join advocate Hannah Reeve in calling for the government to pause the Thriving Kids rollout until independent safety reviews are completed and genuine community consultation is undertaken.

📢 Over 4,000 have signed — help us reach 5,000!
🖊️ Sign & share the petition now: https://chng.it/GZDRNkLX8R

Protect Autistic Kids: Stop the ‘Thriving Kids’ Behaviour Program

02/07/2025

**💬 A Message to my Toodle-Loo Families** (trigger warning)

I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent news regarding the alleged SA offences committed by someone working in multiple childcare centres in the Wyndham region. Like many of you, I am heartbroken and outraged by this serious breach of trust and the harm caused to vulnerable children and families in our community.

I know this news may have triggered a range of emotions—shock, anger, fear, grief. Please know that your feelings are valid, and you are not alone.

At Toodle-Loo Speech Pathology, child safety has always been my top priority. I remain committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all children and families. I follow strict child safety and mandatory reporting protocols, in line with the **Victorian Child Safe Standards** and the **NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission**.

If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed or need additional support, please consider the following services:

🔹 **1800 RESPECT** – 24/7 counselling and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence
📞 1800 737 732 | 🌐 [www.1800respect.org.au](https://www.1800respect.org.au)

🔹 **Kids Helpline** – 24/7 free, confidential counselling for children and young people aged 5–25
📞 1800 55 1800 | 🌐 [www.kidshelpline.com.au](https://www.kidshelpline.com.au)

🔹 **Parentline Victoria** – Counselling and support for parents and carers
📞 13 22 89 | 🌐 [www.parentline.com.au](https://www.parentline.com.au)

🔹 **Lifeline** – 24/7 crisis support for anyone in distress
📞 13 11 14 | 🌐 [www.lifeline.org.au](https://www.lifeline.org.au)

If you would like to talk, have questions, or need help finding additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here for you and amwalking alongside you through this.

With care,
**Louise**
*Toodle-Loo Speech Pathology**

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and su***de prevention services.

11/05/2025

Wishing all mothers, biological and chosen, a very special Mother’s Day.

I hope you got a sleep in, a new pair of slippers, a good book, breakfast in bed, and a few minutes of using the toilet in privacy!

02/04/2025

Hello friends 👋🏻

Just a friendly reminder that I will be taking a break over the school holidays (yup they are next week parents, be prepared!) from Monday 7th through to Monday 21st April.

I will still be checking my email/sms so please send through any queries, just be aware that I may take a few days to answer.

I will be back at work on Tuesday 22nd April.

See you all after then
-Toodle-Loo ###