Samantha Malpass Speech Pathologist

19/08/2025

A note about formal language assessments.

Today I found myself doing 2 formal language assessments on 2 young people who I see for regular support. One is transitioning to school next year and one is transitioning from a Specialist school to a mainstream school.

I found myself bringing out my "worst case scenario" speech. Unfortunately our funding models are based on deficits: the child can't do ###; the child is "y" years below their age matched peers. This information can be demoralising. It is not my typical way of working: how does the child communicate? What do they want to communicate? Can they do that? Can I help? Can the young person express their inner world?

So this is a reminder to carers, parents, support communities, young people. All of us are more than the numbers on a test - even when someone like me does their best to communicate far more than numbers in a report. None of us should be restricted to what the systems around us dictate we are worth in a monetary, funding sense.

I hate this time of year, but I'm committed to serving the young people and families in my care to understand the purpose of the assessment and report, while behind the scenes we advocate to see the worth in supporting functional need - not numbers.

27/06/2025

First time posting a video...I'm clearly passionate about this issue.

26/06/2025

This is my first post on this issue. The problem is very real. NDIA have tried to paint Allied Health practitioners as pariahs in the system. Nothing is further from the truth. The reality is that unless families can travel to a clinic they will now not be able to receive services. For those living a long way (more than 15 minutes one way) from their therapist, a one off home visit or school visit is now no longer possible. The sad thing is - it won't even save them that much money - but it will impact clients, and it will impact practitioners ability to operate their business.

16/05/2025

26/03/2025

This is a good start, however it will not cover the full cost of therapy supports that are required by this very under serviced group.

Speech Pathology Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s Budget commitment to expand Medicare access to speech pathology care for children and young people with some severe speech and language disorders.

The federal Budget's $74.9 million investment from 2025-26 and $29.1 million per year ongoing is a positive step toward expanding Medicare-funded speech pathology for children and young people with some severe speech and language disorders. But it’s just the beginning.

We thank the Albanese Government for implementing this critical measure and urge all parties and candidates to commit to our federal election priorities:
✅ Expanding access to speech pathology services through Medicare.
✅ Supporting access to speech pathology services in early childhood education and care centres in areas of greatest socioeconomic disadvantage.
✅ Ensuring continued access to care by supporting speech pathologist recruitment and retention.

Speech pathologists, take action! Contact your local federal MP and ask them to support better access to speech pathology care.
👉 https://bit.ly/4iPA8mv

Find out more about the funding boost for speech pathology.
👉 https://bit.ly/4c4tc2k

18/03/2025

Master A had fun creating this robot. He used his flexible thinking to create a Christmas tree, which morphed into a robot AFTER he listened to the PERSPECTIVE of his mum who thought it looked like a robot. He INCLUDED her IDEAS into his creation. Developing flexible thinking and seeing situations from others' perspectives is an important skill for us all. We all need to see the robot and the tree!!

08/03/2025

I'm excited to be able to offering this program in Albury Wodonga. Get in touch if you'd like to be a part of the workshops.

Do you work with early childhood educators? The Learning Language and Loving It™ workshop provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help educators foster strong communication skills in young children—during everyday interactions!

Give educators the tools they need to create inclusive, language-rich environments where every child can thrive.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bot4uy

27/02/2025

None of us are perfect...but we can all repair the ruptures and create a real sense of security for our children.

The issue (with children, romantic partners, friends) isn't so much "getting it right" but rather being committed to making Repairs, especially after we've missed the mark with a Rupture. No blame, no problem. Just the ongoing commitment to keep finding the real connection. And again, and again; minute to minute, day to day.

15/02/2025

I'm very excited to be able to offer Learning Language and Loving It and/or Teacher Talk (a shorter version) to Early Childhood Educators in our area. Please let me know if you're interested. Feel free to share amongst your networks!

22/01/2025

My last few days before the term starts. 6 half days of training so that I can implement Learning Language and Loving It: A guide to promoting Children's Social, Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood Settings. Can't wait to provide this excellent training for our local Early Childhood Educators.

03/01/2025

As the new year starts it's a great time to remember to follow our child's lead to encourage positive interactions and communication opportunities.

There’s no better time for your child to learn about communicating than when they’re playing with you. Use these tips to join in the play in the best ways to help your child learn.

https://bit.ly/400jnOQ