Loquella Speech Pathology

23/08/2025

A tough week with ‘more questions raised than answers given’ by Minister Mark Butler about proposed changes to the NDIS. Hang in there everyone - I know there’s a lot of confusion, anxiety and anger about the outdated language used to describe autistic people by the government. We hope the government will take this opportunity to educate themselves on using more neuroaffirming language and include people with disability and providers in the co-design of this new system. Stay tuned!

In the meantime - this little gem popped up from Pint Sized Treasures on my FB pages and brought a little joy into my life. I hope it ‘brings a smile to your dial,’ too!

Verity

15/06/2025

In recent times the government has indicated their concerns that the costs associated with funding NDIS has exceeded their expectations. There has been an active campaign focused on reducing the costs.... and most recently fraud.

Phase one focused on reducing fraud which they estimate saved $500 million dollars and accounted for approximately 1% of the total amount of money spent. Now the NDIS has its sights set on Allied Health providing therapy and associated travel. The costs of our services account for just 11% of the total spending.

NDIS has come out and advised that all travel costs from 1 July 2025 will be reduced to 50% of current costs and some of our Allied Health colleagues such as Physiotherapists and Dietitians will have to charge $5-$10 less for their services. I don't know of anyone who would accept a pay cut for offering a service!! The hourly rate for Allied Health practitioners has not increased for 6 years, despite the increasing costs of operating a business.

What does this mean for services moving forward:
1) Those offering services to regional and rural areas will no longer be able to afford to travel long distances to offer therapy. It won't be economically viable.
2) Businesses will close down.
3) Therapists will stop offering therapy to NDIS clients due to reduced economic viability.
4) Therapists may opt to charge an additional gap (which will come out of the client's own pockets). This is what happened with Medicare.
3) Clients will have less choice - clients may no longer be able to see their preferred therapist at their home, school or kindergarten.
4) Clients will have to seek therapy at a clinic - there will likely be long wait lists and this won't suit those who have physical limitations impacting on their ability to travel to therapy or those who need to take time off work to take their children to therapy.

There is a concerted effort from Allied Health practitioners (OT, physio, speech pathologists) to lobby the government to fight these changes. However, if unsuccessful - these changes will start next month.

If this impacts on you or your child as a client - I encourage you to make your thoughts known by contacting the Ministers for NDIS, your local and Federal MP's or NDIS directly.

Make your voice heard by contacting the following:
Mark Butler MP - ministerbutler@health.gov.au
Jenny McAllister MP - jennifer.mcallister@aph.gov.au
Rowan Holzberger MP -rowan.holzberger.MP@aph.gov.au
Cameraon Caldwell MP - cameron.caldwell.MP@aph.gov.au
Hon Michael Crandon -coomera@parliament.qld.gov.au
Hon Jon Krause - scenicrim@parliament.qld.gov.au
NDIS - enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Verity

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30/05/2025

Now this looks like a lot of fun!!!

29/03/2025

I am excited to be able to purchase the ‘Fox Kid’ resources for another school here on the Gold Coast. Designed for older primary school readers who have not yet mastered the foundational skills. The Author, Adrian Beck was recently recognised for his amazing book series by Speech Pathology Australia during their Annual Book Awards in 2024.

Never too late to foster an interest in reading. This set looks fun and engaging!

Just another fun part of my job! ❤️📚❤️

06/03/2025

Preparing for a cyclone can be a worrying time for our kids. We may struggle to use the right words to explain what is happening or to manage their fears. This document produced by the Australian Psychological Society might help to make dealing with this event a little easier.

I sincerely hope that the impacts to my clients and their families are minimal. Please keep safe and dry!

We will chat again on the other side. Take care. Verity

20/12/2024

Ms V recently visited Santa’s post office and toy shops in Singapore. Good news everyone - Santa tells me everything is running smoothly and his special delivery service is on schedule.

I ran into a couple of adorable animals during my trip. They were dressed up in their best Christmas outfits. What are those cheeky monkeys up to? Where did they buy their fabulous outfits from? Why did the peacock display its colourful feathers? How do you think I felt after the elephant squirted water into my face with its enormous trunk? What are those birds talking about? I hope they’re not laughing about my misfortune? I wonder if you can make up a magical story about Ms V’s adventures with her special friends?

Wishing all the amazing ‘children’ in my universe, and their families a wonderful and relaxing Christmas period and a Happy New Year! May 2025 be your best year yet!

14/11/2024

Many of you know that my kids go to different high schools. It wasn’t something that I ever thought I would do - but it was something that I felt I needed to do based on their different skills, interests and personalities. My decision was shaped by talking to people in similar situations, school visits and interviews and working out logistics of how to get my kids to different schools on time. Have I regretted my decision? No. Are my kids doing well and happy at their schools? Yes. Are my kids jealous of each other’s schools? No.

I know many of my clients face similar dilemmas. Sometimes a current school can feel like a good fit but change over time. There’s many reasons for this - your child isn’t coping with the workload, behavioural issues being raised by the school or child, not enough supports being provided by the school, lack of friends, lack of understanding about your child’s needs etc. In an ideal world our kids should be able to go to any school and be accommodated for. In reality, that is not always the case. There are many reasons for this. In my opinion ALL schools would benefit from more funding from the Australian government to support our neurodivergent kids properly. Extra staff in every classroom would make such a huge difference.

How do we get our kids the best quality education they need to function as adults….and make it physically, emotionally and mentally in one piece? (That is my goal)!

For some parents this may mean changing the way your child receives their education (alternative ways of learning, smaller class sizes, specific focus areas, reduced restrictions for students who can’t cope with mainstream school routines/rules).

Some of these options (not an exhaustive list) on the Gold Coast include:
Home schooling
Silkwood School
Arcadia College
Mastery Schools
The Village School
The Industry School
Emmanuel College
Josiah College
Mob Academy
Mudgeeraba, Southport and Coomera State Special Schools

As parents you know your child best. What environment do you think your child will benefit from best? Hopefully an environment where they can thrive and not just survive!

All the very best with your decision making process.

Verity 😊

04/10/2024

Today I finished work early and headed to our amazing library to type up my progress notes. I overheard a mother and her daughter playing with a Lego farm set together. The little girl chatted away confidently - engaging in imaginary play, narrating as she played and making requests from her mother to take photos of her masterpiece (with and without her in it). Her little high pitched voice sprouting lengthy utterances with age appropriate speech sounds, was like music to my ears. As I left the library I found them at the exit. I congratulated the Mum and told her to keep up the good work!

Little children revelling in language and their environment - one of my most favourite things in the world!

28/06/2024

I am listening to my husband and son engage in a shared storytelling session. It is something that they have independently started over the last few months and it is music to my ears. They take turns telling parts of the story and give each other options regarding twists and turns in their combined story.

Why do I love it so much?
1. It’s a lovely shared bonding session between father and son.
2. My husband models the story structure and lovely rich language to him (including idioms and figurative language from the ‘olden days’ 😜)
3. The 2 are extremely animated and engage in wonderful dialogue, laughter and some healthy banter together.
4. I get to hear my son’s marvellous use of vocabulary - I wonder where he heard these amazing words from? Today’s magnificent words included irritate, unaffected, sprawled and struggled.
5. There’s a lovely mix of both formal and modern day language being used.
6. My son gets to be creative and let his imagination take him on a journey.
7. They collectively work together to problem solve and resolve the many issues that arise in the story.

I know I’ve said it before ‘stories are my absolute favourite’ for learning and practicing language in an enjoyable way.

Grab a book, make up your own story or…….create your own family story.

Verity 📚📕📗📘📙📚

24/06/2024

After a period of almost 6 months, I am back in my ‘Happy Place.’ Thank you to my clients for your patience and flexibility during this time. I look forward to welcoming you back.

Verity ❤️🙂

14/06/2024

We really are so very fortunate to live here on the Gold Coast! I was so impressed to see the range of free activities my local library offers our kids. Wonderful language rich activities encompassing stories, rhyme time, Bluey and forensic detective work. Check out your local library if you haven’t done so recently. Grab some books and link into some fun activities at the same time! Verity 🙂

12/06/2024

A wonderful range of activities available for our kids over the school holidays. Bookings can be made on Sunday. Enjoy. Verity 🙂