Optimal Speech Pathology

31/05/2026

🎥 I'm excited to share our new YouTube Aphasia Treatment Series.

This series explores a range of evidence-based therapy approaches used in aphasia rehabilitation, with a focus on the principles behind treatment and how different approaches can be applied in clinical practice.

It's aimed at anyone interested in understanding different therapy approaches in aphasia.

Watch the first episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5QF_77TovY

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for future topics.

Director of Optimal Speech Pathology, Christina Samy, explains one of the most widely used approaches in Aphasia treatment - Semantic Feature Analysis.

19/05/2026

So wonderful to be working with our colleagues at Swallowing Technologies - check out the recent case study to see how well one of our clients progressed during their swallow rehab using BiSSkApp.

What do you do when a client with chronic dysphagia appears to have plateaued?

We’ve just published a new clinical case study exploring the implementation of skill-based swallowing training with biofeedback in a community TBI client living with chronic dysphagia.

After reaching a plateau in progress, but still having persistent swallowing difficulties resulting in aspiration on thin fluids and ongoing reliance on thickened fluids, the treating team trialled a different rehab approach using BiSSkApp.

The case study walks through:
• the clinical reasoning behind task selection
• programme setup and progression
• managing fatigue and cognitive factors in TBI
• the role of support workers and family
• VFSS, TWST and ToMaSS outcomes
• practical lessons learned during implementation

For clinicians working with chronic neurological dysphagia, it offers a detailed look at how a feedback-rich rehabilitation model was implemented in a real-world community setting.

Read the full case study here:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0SNHs0

A huge shout-out to Colleen, Christina, and the team at Optimal Speech Pathology for collaborating with us on this piece.

*Pseudonym used to protect client privacy. Individual results may vary. BiSSkApp is a prescription device. Consult your healthcare provider, and always follow the directions for use.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums!! Hope you are all having a wonderful day

10/05/2026

Just recently, we welcomed our newest clinician, Josephine Deng to the Optimal Speech Pathology team. Here is the lovely Advance Rehab Centre front desk team warmly welcoming the wonderful Josie - we are so excited!!

16/04/2026

03/04/2026

Most people think of tremor or walking changes when they think of Parkinson’s — but changes to speech and voice can actually be some of the earliest signs.

A softer voice, monotone speech, mumbling, talking too quickly, or feeling like it takes more effort to speak can all be early communication changes seen in Parkinson’s.

Often, family members notice these changes first.

Early support from a speech pathologist can help people maintain communication, confidence, and quality of life.

With our BEYOND VOICE launch at the end of 2025, we are proud to continue supporting PD patients across so many parts of Sydney. One of the programs we use to support our patients is the SPEAK OUT! therapy program from Parkinson Voice Project - 8 years and going strong!

03/04/2026

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month!! Thinking of all of our inspiring clients with Parkinson's Disease - you continue to inspire us with your ongoing commitment to Speech Therapy and your motivation to live well with PD. Parkinson's NSW

03/04/2026

We have some more exciting news at Optimal Speech Pathology - this month we welcome our newest clinician, Josie Deng!! 🙌🙌 and we can't wait for you to meet her!

Josie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science (Speech Pathology) from The University of Sydney in 2017. Over the past 8 years, she has had the pleasure of working in both metropolitan and rural Australia to provide care across acute, inpatient rehabilitation, chronic care, and palliative care settings. Josie has also gained extensive experience working in the field of lifelong disability to support adolescents and young adults in achieving meaningful goals.

She is certified in providing both LSVT-LOUD and SpeakOut! programs, with additional post graduate credentials from The University of Sydney in working with Functional Neurological Voice Disorders. As a multi-lingual therapist (fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin), Josie is passionate about enhancing healthcare access and health literacy for the multi-cultural population.

A very warm welcome to the lovely Josie - we can't for you to work with our beautiful clients!