Michelle Boyall Speech Pathology

04/05/2025

❓What is dyslexia?

💬 Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that is neurological in origin and primarily affects reading and spelling.

📈 1 in every 10 Australians is estimated to have dyslexia.

🧠 Dyslexia makes it harder to:

Recognise and manipulate sounds in words (phonological awareness)

Connect sounds to letters (phonics)

Read fluently and accurately

Spell words consistently

🧬 Dyslexia often runs in families.

🚫 Dyslexia is a lifelong learning disability—but with the right support, children with dyslexia can learn to read and write. They often have strengths in oral language, problem-solving, and creativity.

✔️ Early identification and evidence-based, structured literacy approaches are critical.

Check out the free, downloadable book from AUSPELD - 'Understanding Learning Difficulties' for more information. It provides excellent information to help you understand learning difficulties, including assessment and evidence-based interventions, and practical advice to support and advocate for your child.

https://uldforparents.com/

31/03/2024

Speech therapy fun with some of my favourites!

Whether it's the adorable Pugalicous trying to eat treats as you balance them on his nose, the hilarious Gobble Monster trying to steal tiny toys, or the Pop Up Pirate keeping you on the edge of your seat, these games are more than just play. They are powerful tools for speech sound practice!

Kids of all ages love practising their target sounds and words to collect the pieces of the games. It's easy to get a high number of repetitions with these fun games in my therapy bag!

What's your favourite game to use in speech therapy practice with your kids?

10/11/2023

If you have a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Apraxia Kids has a wealth of information.

The Apraxia Kids National Conference is the only major conference on the speech, language, learning, and life needs of children with apraxia.

10/11/2023

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder that affects a child's ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech.

CAS is a neurological disorder and impacts the brain's ability to plan the precise movements necessary for speech sounds, syllables, and words. This results in speech that is often inconsistent, with errors in pronunciation and difficulty in producing sounds and words accurately. Children with CAS know what they want to say, but they struggle to coordinate the muscle movements needed to express themselves verbally.

Speech pathologists work with children with CAS to improve their speech coordination and clarity. Therapy techniques may include repetitive practice, speech drills, and other exercises designed to help the child develop accurate and coordinated speech movements. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in helping children with CAS improve their communication skills and develop more effective speech patterns.

All children with CAS are unique, but evidence-based treatments are available including:
✨ Dynamic, Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)
✨ Rapid Syllable Transition Timing (ReST)
✨ Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP)

Which treatment option is used, depends on the age and current abilities of the child, but all treatment options are based on the principles of motor learning.