Melissa Myburgh Speech Therapy & Family Counselling

18/01/2026

A staple must have your your toddler at home 👇🏻

12/01/2026

Shyness is common, but when silence is consistent and long-lasting in certain settings, it may signal Selective Mutism—an anxiety-based condition that needs support.

Early identification is key (before four years old). Research shows that children who receive help sooner have better outcomes socially, emotionally, academically, and even later in life.

Swipe through this post to learn the difference between shyness and selective mutism, when to be concerned, and what steps to take next.

Seeking help is not just important—it’s transformative.

09/01/2026

I bet parents often have this thought: "Why is the Speech Therapist/ Occupational Therapist always 'playing games' with my kids in therapy?"

Here's my answer!
Children learn best when they’re having fun. Play isn’t just entertainment, it’s the most natural way for kids to explore, practice, and master new skills. Every game we use is carefully chosen to align with therapeutic goals, whether it’s building communication, increasing opportunities for drill and repetition, or boosting confidence.

Kids also need frequent breaks and variety because their attention spans are short and they get bored easily. By keeping therapy playful and engaging, we ensure they stay motivated, curious, and excited to learn. After all, therapy should feel like a safe space where progress happens with joy and engagement.

06/01/2026

The practice is now officially open for 2026 🤩

As a vibrant team of psychologists, counsellors, physios, nurses and myself as the resident speech therapist, we embody diversity and enthusiasm, welcoming the year with creativity, beauty and gratitude.

🙏🏻🌞

03/12/2025

Building a 'Talking Bridge' with Selective Mutism 👇🏻

​Today, I had a truly rewarding session with two incredible primary school students, demonstrating a key therapeutic technique for Selective Mutism (SM).

​Our goal was to transfer communication skills practiced in individual sessions to a social setting.

▪️​Client A has Selective Mutism and is typically unable to speak around, or directly to, children in his school environment. After months of therapy, he now speaks comfortably to me, as well as to his teachers and other unfamiliar adults. Peers at school remain a challenge.
▪️​Client B served as a fantastic, supportive communication partner.
​We used a Guess Who game to create a controlled social interaction, which I call a "talking bridge" scenario.

​Initially, Client A used me to relay his messages to Client B (e.g., "Ask him if his character has glasses," or "Tell him I think it's the pirate"). This indirect communication allowed him to participate without the full pressure of direct peer interaction.
​As the game progressed, Client A became visibly more relaxed. We began hearing louder speech and more spontaneous communication directed at me.

​This progress perfectly illustrates the use of stimulus fading and desensitization in SM treatment. We are slowly introducing the feared social stimuli (speaking to peers) within a safe and structured activity.

​The next therapeutic step is to gradually remove the "talking bridge" (me!) to encourage more direct, spontaneous speech between Client A and his peer. Incremental steps like this are critical to success!

27/11/2025

An example of how we use "brave charts" in speech therapy to help take small steps towards overcoming selective mutism. This particular chart is super special, done by a dad and his princess. She has been practicing her brave muscles a while now and is starting to take big leaps!

I am a proud Speechie 😍🤩

26/11/2025

Soooo true 🙏🏻

10/11/2025

If you're a speech therapist, you are obsessed with the Hungry Caterpillar! 😝 So many uses for speech and language development..and kids love the big bright illustrations and predictable text 😁

10/09/2025

In my previous post, we spoke about HOW to ask questions to children with selective mutism. In this post we explore what to do when the responses don't come easily or when the moment doesn't go as planned. The gentle strategies help reduce pressure, build trust, and keep communication flowing- even if it means using a puppet, a whisper to a parent, or simply waiting a little longer.
Remember to slow down & stay in the moment.

Progress looks different for each child 💚🌻

09/09/2025

I had a fantastic time recording a podcast with Kids Innovate Africa - kia where we delved into encouraging communication skills in neurodivergent children Kids Innovate Africa - kia

https://youtu.be/ZVD8mGTu69s?si=TuGQmzD1x3IgaBCc

Thank you to the team over at Kids Innovate for all the incredible work you do in the neurodivergent community 💚

Communication is more than words, it’s connection, confidence, and finding your voice.In this episode of Beyond the Box, host Emma Mphahlele sits down with ...

08/09/2025

For children with selective mutism, even simple questions can feel overwhelming. The pressure to respond can trigger anxiety and shut down communication. That is why it is so important to with the most gentlest forms- like indirect comments- and gradually build up, across different people and settlings. With patience and the right approach, every small response becomes a brave step forward. 💚🌻

04/09/2025

Ready to unlock real-life communication? 🗣️ Functional language therapy isn't about memorizing flashcards—it's about building practical skills for everyday life! From ordering coffee to making friends on the playground, we focus on what truly matters. It's meaningful, it's personal, and it's the best way to see real progress.