Our speech pathology service builds educator and family capability to support children’s communication and participation by embedding evidence?based, autism?informed strategies into everyday early childhood routines. While approaches are designed with autistic children in mind, they align with typical developmental needs of children aged 3–5 years and benefit all learners.By strengthening educator knowledge, confidence and consistency, the service supports improvements across the AEDC domains of Social Competence, Emotional Maturity, Language & Cognitive Skills, and Communication & General Knowledge. Speech Pathologists work collaboratively with educators to support engagement in group routines, shared play and turn?taking, increased independence in daily activities, and reduced distress?based behaviours by strengthening children’s ability to understand and express their needs. Visual supports, structured play, predictable routines and consistent language are key features of support.Our Speech Pathologists are skilled in facilitating group programs and building the capacity of educators and parents to understand and implement communication strategies across settings. Support may include customised training, consultation and educator coaching, group?based sessions within the centre, and family workshops to promote skill generalisation and understanding of developmental differences.Speech pathology support is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

• Improved engagement and participation for children in group times, play and routines
• Enhanced social communication and emotional regulation, with increased shared play, turn?taking and reduced distress behaviours
• Greater independence and comprehension, as consistent language, visual schedules and scaffolded supports improve understanding of routines, transitions and expectations.

These supports will be co-designed with you and your centre to be delivered at a frequency that meets the needs of your service.

This support is charged at $193.99 per hour, with travel being charged in addition to this. Only time spent travelling to the ECEC service will be charged. Therapist schedules are designed to have minimal travel time between sites to represent value for money for the ECEC/client where possible. All costs listed are exclusive of GST.