Ability Action Australia Speech Therapy is an evidence-based service that delivers tailored small group capacity building Speech Therapy supports within the ECEC settings.

Our focus is on promoting:

• early language, communication and interaction skills through small group sessions and
• educator and parent coaching and embedded practice strategies aligned with play-based approaches.

Our approach emphasises prevention and early intervention by:

• supporting educators to create inclusive, language rich environments
• promoting school readiness and
• assisting in developing communication skills that will help children in the transition to school.

These include language and vocabulary relevant to the school setting, early literacy skills, knowledge and use of basic concepts, following instructions and early social communication.

It provides parents with practical strategies to promote language development at home and in everyday interactions.

Expected outcomes for children:

• improved expressive and receptive language skills
• improved functional communication during play and routines and
• improved peer interaction, school readiness.

For educators:

• confident using language-supportive strategies
• identification and response to communication needs
• support in transition to school.

For parents:

• supporting communication in everyday routines at home
• identify milestones and indications for additional support and
• replicate strategies and learning across environments.

This support is delivered through a series of structured on-site sessions including:

1. Classroom environment observations (2 x 60 minutes sessions): to develop understanding of environment and the developmental status of the group participants.

2. Targeted small group intervention: volume and frequency to be determined with the centre following observation sessions, however proposed 8 - 10 weekly sessions, 30 minutes in length.

Focus on tailored to the centre need and initial observation sessions. Could include:

• Pre-literacy skills: interest in print awareness, letter knowledge, vocabulary, phonological awareness, narrative skills, number awareness.
• Play based sessions: songs, games, books about syllables and letters.
• Communication skills for greetings, sharing information, requests, adapting to different listeners, taking turns, joint attention, multi-step instructions and using non-verbal communication.
• Specific communication skills for identified need: hearing loss, speech sounds, reduced language use.

3. Family and parent upskilling sessions (6 x 60-minute sessions, fortnightly)

• Strategies to use in everyday routines.
• Play based learning approaches.
• Consistency of communication support across settings.
• Education on language and speech developmental milestones.
• Provision of video and print resources for future reference.

Ongoing support can be provided through follow-up sessions, educator and parent resources and consultation to embed into practices across the service.

Ability Action Australia will provide detailed written quotations, including number of sessions, based on $210 per hour including for travel. Quotations will not include development time where service is tailored from standard or existing sessions previously delivered. For a bespoke service a quotation will be provided to develop the content and materials for that service. Regional and remote locations will be at hourly rate plus flights, accommodation and car hire as required.