Speech & Language Support Services

01/10/2026

I love this invention. Too often there is no ability for the person in the chair to easily communicate with the person pushing the wheelchair. Connection, social interaction and moments together. 🧡👩‍🦽‍➡️

10/09/2026

💛 R U OK? Day

Today, we especially want to check in with the parents and carers who have been holding everything together for years.

Many are living with relentless sleep deprivation because their child struggles to sleep, wakes throughout the night or is ready to play at an unholy hour and cannot resettle.

Every outing may require constant vigilance. When a child absconds, has little awareness of danger or responds unpredictably, even a simple trip to the shops or playground can feel terrifying.

Over time, families can begin to feel trapped in their own homes and increasingly isolated from their community, friends and even extended family.

There are appointments, paperwork, advocacy, difficult decisions and constant worry about the future. People often ask how the child is doing but rarely ask how the parent or carer is coping.

We know that asking “R U OK?” cannot replace the practical help, respite, understanding and ongoing support that long-term carers truly need.

But being genuinely seen and heard still matters.

So, to the parents and carers in our community:

R U OK?

And if the honest answer is “No, I’m exhausted,” “I’m isolated” or “I’m not coping,” you do not need to pretend otherwise.

We see how much you carry.
We see how fiercely you advocate.
We see the love behind everything you do.

You matter too. 💛

09/09/2026

So true. A tender heart is someone who will notice the child sitting alone. Love those big hearts. ♥️

06/09/2026

💙 Happy Father’s Day 💙

Today we celebrate the dads, grandads, stepdads, foster dads and all the wonderful father figures who encourage children to keep trying, find their own way and believe in themselves.

Thank you for every story shared, every word practised, every achievement celebrated and every reassuring hug along the way.

We’re thinking of those who are missing their dad, grieving a dad they have lost, or growing up without a dad in their lives. We hope today brings moments of comfort and connection with the people who love and support you.

Wishing everyone in our Speech & Language Support Services community a gentle and meaningful Father’s Day. 🧡

01/09/2026

When one of your favourite books becomes a rap. Book week continued.

25/08/2026

📚 BOOK WEEK | Giraffes Can’t Dance 🦒

“Sometimes when you’re different, you just need a different song.”

Gerald the giraffe wants to dance, but dancing doesn’t come easily to him.

And when everyone else seems able to do something that you can’t, it’s very easy to start believing “I can’t do it.”

We see this with children every day.

Talking.
Reading.
Spelling.
Making friends.
Joining in.

Sometimes a child doesn’t need to try harder.

They need someone to understand why it’s difficult, find the right starting point and teach the skill in a way that works for them.

With the right support, practice and encouragement, children can often do far more than they believed possible.

🦒 Different doesn’t mean less capable. Sometimes it just means finding a different way to learn.

Dance to your own tune. 🎶

07/08/2026

So how are you really feeling?

25/05/2026

Today I submitted a response to the proposed NDIS reforms.

Not as a politician.
Not as an economist.
But as a speech-language pathologist who has spent more than 30 years working alongside children, adults and families living with disability.

Much of disability is invisible.

Many families appear to be “coping” only because they have reorganised every aspect of their lives around support needs, safety, regulation, communication and survival.

One mother I work with finishes night shift, takes her child to school for the two hours the school can currently accommodate him, then sleeps in the school car park before needing to take him home again. Once home, rest is not possible because her son requires ongoing supervision and support.

This is what hidden disability can look like.

The success of the NDIS should not be measured solely by short-term budget reduction, but by long-term human, social and economic outcomes.

When supports are reduced, the costs do not disappear.
They are transferred:

onto families,
onto women,
onto siblings,
onto schools,
onto health systems,
and onto exhausted carers quietly trying to hold everything together.

I support sustainability and accountability within the NDIS.

But I also believe reforms must carefully consider the real-world consequences for participants, families, frontline clinicians and the broader community.

I encourage clinicians, carers, participants and families to make submissions and share their experiences.

17/05/2026

So the renovations continue and we are cutting it tight. Wet weather has slowed down drying. Are we going to make it?

24/04/2026

Update: oh no it’s cancelled for this weekend.

Exciting times this weekend with this ship in port. You and your kids can go on the ship. See this for more details.

***Due to weather this has been cancelled**^

⚓ Ahoy, Northside families!

A REAL tall ship is dropping anchor at Scarborough this weekend – and you can go aboard! 🏴‍☠️

The Caravelle Notorious has sailed over 26,000 nautical miles and she's here for TWO DAYS ONLY. Explore on deck AND below deck – no booking needed, just rock up! 🗓 Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 April ⏰ 9am – 3pm
📍 Scarborough Boat Harbour Public Jetty, Bird Passage Parade, Scarborough

All the details here> https://brisbanekids.com.au/event/notorious-ship/

📸 Photo credit: Jeff Ram – Notorious at Cabbage Tree Point, Southern Moreton Bay