Elaine Brink Spraakterapie/ Speech Therapy

30/03/2026

On tomorrow, we remember and celebrate Fred Rogers with one of his own astute observations: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

30/03/2026

Speech & Communication Awareness

Communication is a fundamental human right and an essential part of connecting with others, learning, and participating in everyday life.
Communication is more than just spoken words. Individuals may communicate using:
• speech
• gestures
• facial expressions
• alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), such as signs, visuals, or communication devices
Some individuals may experience challenges with communication, including:
• difficulty expressing their thoughts and needs
• challenges understanding language
• reduced speech clarity
• differences in social communication
Speech therapy supports communication by focusing on:
• improving speech clarity and articulation
• developing language and vocabulary
• strengthening social communication skills
• supporting the use of AAC to enhance participation
Every individual communicates in their own unique way. Recognising and supporting all forms of communication helps create more inclusive environments where everyone can be heard and understood.
✨ Every voice matters.
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20/03/2026

World Head Injury Awareness Day – 20 March
Head injuries can affect more than physical movement. Because the brain controls communication, thinking, and swallowing, a head injury may impact many aspects of daily life.
Some people experience difficulties with:
• speaking clearly
• finding the right words
• understanding conversations
• concentrating or remembering information
• managing social interactions
• swallowing food or liquids safely
Speech therapy plays an important role in supporting recovery after a head injury. Therapy may focus on improving communication skills, strengthening cognitive abilities such as attention and memory, and helping individuals return to meaningful daily activities.
Rehabilitation often involves a team approach, including doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists working together to support recovery.
✨ Raising awareness helps ensure individuals receive the support and rehabilitation they need.
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20/03/2026

20/03/2026

Some children are not ignoring you. They just cannot respond in that moment.

They might be deeply focused on what they are doing. They might not have processed what you said yet. They might feel overwhelmed, tired, or unsure what you actually mean. And sometimes, the more we repeat instructions, the less children really hear them.

What looks like “not listening” is often a child struggling with attention, understanding, or emotions.

When adults shift from repeating, raising their voice, or assuming defiance, and instead slow down, connect, and give clear, simple guidance, behaviour often changes.

Children do better when they feel understood, not controlled.

If this is something you see at home or in your setting, you are not alone.



LIKE the photo and comment "POSTER" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

Free WHY CHILDREN IGNORE INSTRUCTIONS - PRINTABLE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT POSTER

20/03/2026

FYI
Go and sign up for a library card! That is one way of making sure not to read the same 3 books every night 😉

Reading expands vocabulary, assists with language acquisition, builds cognitive skills, encourages attention and creates bonding time between parents and children. It is even said that following a bedtime routine of reading every night can improve sleep patterns!!!!

10/03/2026

Wat is Outisme?

Kom ons gesels daaroor - eenvoudig en sonder groot mediese woorde. 💛

Outisme is nie ’n siekte nie.

Dit is nie iets wat “reggemaak” moet word nie.
Outisme is ’n neuro-ontwikkelingsverskil.
Dit beteken eenvoudig dat iemand se brein op ’n ander manier werk.

Hulle kan dinge anders hoor, voel, verwerk en verstaan as ander mense.

En dit is belangrik om te onthou: Geen twee mense of kinders met Outisme is dieselfde nie.

Hoekom praat ons van ’n “Spektrum”?

Outisme staan vandag bekend as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Die woord spektrum beteken daar is baie verskillende maniere hoe hierdie verskille kan lyk of voorkom.

Een kind kan bv. baie praat, oogkontak maak en akademies sterk wees. ’n Ander kind kan weer min praat, nie oogkontak maak nie en meer ondersteuning benodig.

Albei is outisties.

Net op verskillende plekke op die Spektrum.

Sommige areas waar Outisme ’n rol kan speel:

🧠 Sosiale kommunikasie
Party kinders vind dit moeiliker om sosiale leidrade te lees of gesprekke te begin.

👂 Sensoriese verwerking
Geluide, sekere lig of ligte, aanraking of teksture kan baie sterker ervaar word.

🔁 Sterk belangstellings of herhalende gedrag
Baie kinders ontwikkel intense belangstellings in spesifieke dinge.

💛 Emosionele regulasie en angs
Die wêreld kan soms oorweldigend voel.

Vlakke van ondersteuning: Dokters praat vandag van 3 vlakke van ondersteuning.

👀Vlak 1 - Minder ondersteuning
Kinders kan dikwels in Hoofstroomskole funksioneer, maar sosiale situasies kan uitdagend wees.

👀Vlak 2 - Matige ondersteuning
Kinders benodig meer hulp met kommunikasie en sosiale interaksie.

👀Vlak 3 - Hoë ondersteuning
Kinders benodig ondersteuning in hul daaglikse lewe en kommunikasie.

Het jy al van Asperger sindroom gehoor?

In die verlede het mense (en dokters en terapeute) van Aspergers gepraat.

Dit was gewoonlik vir mense wat:
• baie intelligent is
• goed kan praat
• maar sosiale uitdagings ervaar

Vandag gebruik dokters nie meer daardie term nie.
Dit val alles onder die "Autism Spectrum Disorder."

En dan is daar Liam Wolfie. 🐺💙
Liam is outisties, maar sy storie is sy eie.
🐺Hy ervaar sterk angs.
🐺Nuwe situasies of baie stimulasie kan vir hom oorweldigend wees.
🐺Hy het ook sterk belangstellings.
🐺Soms haaie. 🐺Soms trekkers. 🐺Soms skoene.

Nou is hy ’n army boer. 🪖 ('n Boer al vir ongeveer 15 maande, army boer vir ongeveer 5 maande.

Hy het sensoriese uitdagings:
• harde geluide kan te veel wees
• sekere klere en skoene voel nie reg nie
• baie stimulasie kan hom vinnig oorlaai

Hy sukkel soms met liggaamsbewustheid - hoe sy lyfie in die ruimte beweeg, hoe om planne met sy lyfie te maak, maar dit het al so baie verbeter.

Hierdie is ook waar:

💪Liam kan mense in die oë kyk.
💪Hy kan praat.
💪Hy kan vriendskappe bou.
💪Hy kan in ’n Hoofstroom skool funksioneer. (En hy doen SO goed!)🙏🛻
💪En hy is baie intelligent.

Baie mense met Outisme het ongelooflike sterk vermoëns - soos om die kleinste detail raak te sien, logiese denke en intense fokus te hê. Liam kan ook vreeslik goed onthou.

Outisme beteken dat iemand se brein bietjie anders werk.

Met begrip, ondersteuning en geduld kan kinders met Outisme floreer.

En soms leer hulle vir ons om die wêreld op ’n nuwe manier te sien.

🐺👀🤗💛 As hierdie plasing jou iets nuuts geleer het, deel dit gerus.

Hoe meer mense verstaan wat Outisme is, hoe sagter word die wêreld vir kinders soos Liam.

09/03/2026

Autism Western Cape invites you to a Zoom meeting
Topic: Autism Western Cape Community Meeting
Date & Time: 24 March 2026, 18:00 (Harare/Pretoria)
Join: https://zoom.us/j/94321396459?pwd=4svVQPaXhi4MOmcLaEot29U3zJYQMD.1
Meeting ID: 943 2139 6459 | Passcode: 2cp50r

08/03/2026

TBI AWARENESS MONTH (MARCH)

🧠 March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden impact or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function. TBIs can range from mild (such as concussions) to severe injuries that require long-term rehabilitation.

A brain injury can affect many aspects of communication and daily functioning, including:
• Speech clarity
• Understanding and using language
• Memory and attention
• Problem-solving and thinking skills
• Social communication
• Swallowing and eating safely

Speech therapists play an important role in neurorehabilitation by helping individuals rebuild communication skills, strengthen cognitive abilities, and manage swallowing difficulties after a brain injury.

Recovery looks different for everyone, but with the right support and therapy, many people can make meaningful progress and regain independence.

✨ Raising awareness helps people recognise symptoms early and seek the support they need.

01/03/2026

24/02/2026

Meet Elizabeth Siems

Our right hand, admin coordinator!!

She is often the first face you see when visiting us.. and definitely one of the friendliest faces you'll see. She handles all calls, enquiries and bookings (and the scary Yoco machine).

Sy is vinnig om te help met 'n krisis (of dit regtig so groot is en of dit net vir ons terapeute so groot voel) en altyd bereidwillig om die ekstra myl te stap.

Sy dra ons in soveel maniere!

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