What are the opening hours?

Monday 09:00 - 18:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 08:00 - 14:00

http://www.gydientherapy.co.za/

Thaaniyah Gydien Speech Therapy, 85 Tiverton Road, Plumstead (2025)

26/11/2025

Spoilt my team with some “merch” for doing such a great job at holding down the fort. They’ve done an amazing job this year and I’m so proud to be surrounded by such an amazing team!

24/11/2025

From the NICU to Going Home - A Big Transition for Tiny Humans 🏡💛

The NICU is overwhelming - full of bright lights, sounds and constant touch.
Going home, while exciting, can be just as scary for parents:

“Is my baby eating enough?”
“Are they developing the way they should?”
“Am I doing this right?”

These questions are normal.

That’s why we created the Preemie Pathways Project - a 6 or 12-month support program to guide families after NICU discharge.

We offer:
✅ Developmental tracking
✅ Feeding support
✅ Parent emotional support
✅ Home stimulation programs
✅ Advocacy and early intervention

Premature babies are at higher risk for developmental delays - so starting early gives them the best chance to catch up and thrive.

For more information, email kaylins@gydientherapy.co.za

22/11/2025

Why is there a Speech Therapist in the NICU? 🌿

Because behind every monitor, every feeding tube, and every milestone…
there’s a parent holding their breath, hoping their baby is okay.

Our role goes far beyond swallowing and feeding.
It’s about helping parents understand their baby’s cues and reconnect with their instincts.

Sometimes we begin a session by simply saying:
✨ “Let’s watch your baby together.” ✨
And suddenly parents begin to see the communication already happening —
the flutter of fingers, the tiny change in breathing, the soft gaze.

That moment of confidence shifting back into a parent’s body?
That is therapy too.

NICU care is a partnership.
A journey.
A place where parents rediscover their power.

You are your baby’s calm.
Your voice, your touch, your presence — they matter more than you know. 💛

21/11/2025

Advocating for the Premature Infant 💛

Every premature baby has a story — long before their first coos, smiles, or words.
And in the NICU, their tiny bodies are working overtime to simply rest, breathe and feed.

As Speech Therapists, we meet these babies in their most fragile moments.
We also meet parents who are doing their best while carrying immense fear, love and hope.

Our work becomes more than therapy —
✨ It’s advocacy
✨ It’s attunement
✨ It’s early empowerment

A baby must feel safe before they can learn. When a premature infant is regulated and protected, their brain is ready to grow — every small experience helping shape future communication, feeding and emotional connection.

Common ways your preemie communicates discomfort:
• Hand splaying
• Grimacing
• Back arching
• Sudden fatigue
• Changes in breathing
• Extension of limbs

Ways to calm and support your baby:
• Breastfeeding or non-nutritive sucking
• Light pressure on the head
• Containment hold
• Bringing hands to face
• Foot bracing
• Using a nest

Early intervention is not about rushing milestones — it’s about protecting developmental potential, supporting families, and giving every baby a voice. 💛

20/11/2025

🌈 Reflecting on National Children’s Day 🌈
November reminded us of something we carry every single day in our work:
every child deserves to be heard, understood and supported - long before they have the words to speak for themselves.

In Speech Therapy, advocacy doesn’t start with talking.
It starts with noticing a child’s cues…
responding to their gestures…
and honouring every attempt at communication.

Early Intervention is advocacy.
It tells a child:
💛 “You matter today.”
💛 “Your struggles don’t define you.”
💛 “Your potential is worth investing in.”

As professionals, parents, and communities, let’s continue creating spaces where children feel safe, included and empowered - not just on National Children’s Day, but every day after.

Because every child’s voice, spoken or unspoken, deserves to be valued. 🌟

19/11/2025

💜 Reflecting on World Prematurity Day — Monday, 17 November 💜

On Monday, we honoured the tiniest fighters — the babies who arrived earlier than expected — and the incredible families who walked the NICU journey with courage, patience and hope.

Premature babies experience the world differently.
Their brains, bodies, and senses are still developing outside the womb — and every moment of safety, gentleness, and connection shapes their growth.

As Speech Therapists working in the neonatal space, our work continues every day. We:
✨ Advocate for sensory protection
✨ Support early feeding and oral development
✨ Help parents read and respond to their babies’ cues
✨ Promote bonding through touch, voice and presence
✨ Celebrate every small milestone, no matter how tiny

To every preemie parent — your strength is extraordinary.
To every premature baby — you are tiny, brave, and absolutely mighty. 💜

17/11/2025

💜 Practice Closed This Friday – 21 November 💜

As a woman-owned practice, run entirely by women, this cause is deeply personal to all of us. Every day, we see how women juggle work, care, and responsibilities, often without recognition or support. The ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and femicide affects our families, communities, and the people we care for.

This Friday, we are pausing our work to stand in solidarity, honour the women whose lives have been lost, and show that women’s voices, safety, and contributions truly matter.

Taking part in the Women’s Shutdown is our way of saying that women’s lives and work are invaluable. You can also support this cause by wearing black, participating in the 12pm standstill, raising awareness on social media, and engaging in conversations about gender-based violence.

We are grateful to our patients for your understanding and support as we take this important stand together. 💜

07/11/2025

Interactive Training for Teachers — Supporting Neurodiverse Learners

Teaching a neurodiverse classroom can feel overwhelming without the right tools — but with knowledge and practical strategies, teachers can create spaces where every child feels understood and can thrive.

Our interactive training is designed to equip teachers with confidence, understanding, and practical techniques to support neurodiverse children, including those with ADHD, autism, speech and language delays, and sensory differences.

💻 Flexible delivery:

In-person at your school or centre

Online for easy access anywhere

🎯 What teachers will learn:

Understanding neurodiversity and common classroom challenges

Practical strategies to adapt routines, instructions, and learning activities

Supporting attention, emotional regulation, and social connection

Building an inclusive, strength-focused classroom

Tools for early identification and when to refer for professional support

💡 Why it matters:
With the right knowledge, teachers can reduce frustration, prevent behavioural challenges, and empower every child to participate and succeed.

This is hands-on, practical training — not just theory. We use real examples, role-play, and case studies so teachers can confidently apply what they learn the very next day.

📞 Contact us to bring this training to your school or book an online session.

06/11/2025

When Talking Feels Hard

Sometimes talking isn’t easy for little ones — and when it’s hard, emotions can run high.
You might see tears, frustration, or even anger when your child tries to share something but can’t find the words. It’s heartbreaking to watch, and it’s normal to wonder how to help.

✨ Stay calm and patient — slow down your own speech and show them it’s okay to take their time.
✨ Validate their feelings — “I know it’s tricky to say that word. I’m listening.”
✨ Celebrate effort — even if the word isn’t perfect, notice the courage: “You tried so hard to tell me!”
✨ Reach out for support — if frustration is frequent or speech isn’t improving, a speech-language therapist can help guide both you and your child.

Children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and understood. By staying patient and encouraging, you’re already helping them build the confidence to keep trying — and that confidence is just as important as the words themselves. 💛

04/11/2025

Everyday Conversations Grow Language

You don’t need fancy toys or flashcards to build your child’s language — simple, natural talk is one of the most powerful tools you have.

💛 Narrate what you’re doing
Talk about what’s happening in the moment:

“We’re washing your hands — splash, splash!”
“Let’s put your shoes on. One shoe, two shoes!”

💛 Follow your child’s lead
If they’re looking at a bird, talk about the bird. If they’re playing with blocks, describe what they’re building. Join their world instead of redirecting it.

💛 Pause and wait
Give your child time to process and respond. Silence can feel uncomfortable for adults, but it’s a golden moment for a child to think and try new words.

💛 Use rich but simple language
You can model slightly longer phrases than your child uses — if they say “car,” you say “big red car.”

These small, everyday interactions help your child:
✨ Learn new words naturally
✨ Build understanding of conversation flow
✨ Develop confidence to speak up and share

Language isn’t just taught in therapy — it’s built moment by moment at home, in the car, in the bath, and at bedtime. Your everyday talk matters more than you know.

03/11/2025

Officially on maternity leave🐣

Don’t forget I’m still here, still involved, still doing case discussion with the team. I’m just a little way in the background for now 🌸

Please send queries to my amazing practice manager Kaylin at kaylins@gydientherapy.co.za or admin queries to Mea at admin@gydientherapy.co.za
📸:

29/10/2025

World Stroke Day — Act FAST, Save Lives

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Today, we highlight the importance of early recognition, treatment, and support for recovery.

⚠️ Know the signs — Act F.A.S.T.

✅ F – Face: One side droops when smiling
✅ A – Arms: One arm drifts downward
✅ S – Speech: Slurred, confused, or hard to understand
✅ T – Time: Call emergency services immediately — every second counts

Other warning signs: sudden dizziness, vision changes, confusion, numbness, or a severe headache that comes out of nowhere.

🩺 What happens after a stroke?

Depending on the area of the brain affected, survivors may experience:

Speech and language problems (aphasia, slurred speech, difficulty planning speech)

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia, choking, coughing when eating)

Memory or thinking changes

Weakness or paralysis on one side

Emotional changes, including frustration, low mood, or withdrawal

🗣️ How speech therapy supports recovery

Speech-language therapists play a crucial role in rehabilitation by helping survivors:

Rebuild communication and express themselves clearly

Improve speech clarity and confidence

Understand conversations more easily

Treat swallowing difficulties and support safe eating

Learn alternative communication methods (gestures, writing, communication boards)

Support families with practical strategies at home

Re-engage socially and regain independence

📌 When to seek speech therapy

Look out for:

Slurred or unclear speech

Difficulty finding words

Trouble understanding others

Changes in reading or writing

Choking, coughing, or wet/gurgly voice after eating

Avoiding conversations or social situations

💙 This World Stroke Day

Let’s raise awareness, act FAST in emergencies, and support stroke survivors on their journey. With therapy, patience, and family involvement, communication and quality of life can be rebuilt.

Thaaniyah Gydien Speech Therapy

26/11/2025

24/11/2025

22/11/2025

21/11/2025

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

17/11/2025

07/11/2025

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03/11/2025

29/10/2025

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Monday	09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 18:00
Saturday	08:00 - 14:00