Speech Pathology
Giving Children the Start in Life They Deserve
#COMMUNICATE
If you are looking for speech pathology support, then we can help you in the areas of:
Our Speech Therapy Approach
Team Approach
You will be supported by our experienced multidisciplinary team, working in a dedicated team approach, all under the one roof. All of our staff have a minimum of 10 years of experience and have developed specialist skills in working with children.
We follow a family centred approach, recognizing that the family is the most important part of a child’s life. It is the family who will direct the goals, recognize the strengths of the child, and navigate the path that suits their unique needs.
Play Based
Communicate @ My Therapy Space has purpose built, spacious therapy rooms, so that you are not just sitting at a table.
We love to work in a play based approach, making therapy fun all whilst learning and achieving your goals. You are the expert on your child, so you will be supported to set goals that are important to you and your family.
Flexible
We see children in our clinic in Burleigh Waters, as well as at home, daycare, kindy or in the school setting. Families are most welcome to contact us for advice, or information prior to making a speech pathology appointment.
Once you are booked in for an appointment, we offer an initial assessment where we assess and discuss with the family any concerns or issues that they may have. We will make a plan together, and then book in further therapy sessions as required.
Play Based Team Approach to Child’s Growth
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Interactive Approach
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Customised Learning
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Family Involvement
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Rebates Available
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10+ Years Experience
Parent Workshops
Trish Hull
Co-Founder, Speech Language Pathologist
Communicate GCBio
Trish graduated as a Speech Pathologist in 1999 from the University of Queensland. She has been fortunate to gain experience working in Canada, England, China and Malaysia. Trish has extensive experience working with children 0-18 years and adults with learning difficulties.
She has been in teams specializing in disability, education, and early intervention, as well as setting up her own private practice. Since having three children, Trish has a much better understanding of family life and how to plan with families to incorporate therapy goals into every day life.
She is passionate about empowering parents, carers, and teaching staff to help children reach their best potential. Trish’s areas of specialty are in disability, ASD and early intervention for children with speech and language delays. She is a Hanen certified, Key Word Sign instructor and has training in DIR Floortime, Social Thinking & PROMPT.
Lisa Holyman
Co-Founder, Speech Language Pathologist
Communicate GCBio
Lisa graduated as a Speech Pathologist from Latrobe University in 1994. Since then she has worked with children from birth to 18 years in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
Lisa has specialised in working with children with a disability, in particular children with a diagnosis of autism. Lisa is a Key Word Sign Instructor, and is passionate about supporting children with disabilities to develop functional communication.
Lisa also loves to work in paediatric speech pathology and has specialised in the use of AAC, early intervention, early language development, learning difficulties, and speech disorders. She is a Certified Hanen Therapist, and an advanced PROMPT therapist.
Lisa loves working in a multi disciplinary team supporting children in a family centred model, and feels privileged to be a part of your family’s life.
Rachael Fairhurst
Speech Language Pathologist
Communicate GCBio
Rachael graduated from the University of Queensland in 2009 with a Masters of Speech Pathology. She also holds a Bachelor of Children’s Services.
Rachael has worked as a paediatric Speech Language Pathologist across disability, hospital, community health and private practice settings. Rachael is passionate about providing evidence based speech pathology to young children (0-8 years), including those with significant communication difficulties as well as children with feeding and mealtime difficulties.
She has extensive experience in working as a member of a multi disciplinary team supporting children and their families to optimise communicate and mealtime outcomes. Rachael has expertise in the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) including signing, core vocabulary boards, speech generating devices and PODD books.
Rachael is a Key Concepts Sign Instructor, certified Hanen Instructor, PROMPT therapist and trained in a range of mealtime approaches including the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach.
Leticia Freire
Speech Language Pathologist
Communicate GCBio
Leticia graduated in 1994 as a Speech Language Pathologist. Throughout her career, Leticia has worked across hospital settings, schools, community health, intensive feeding programs and private practice. She has particular expertise and skills in helping clients improve their oral motor skills. She works with all areas of newborn and paediatric feeding as well as children who are limited in what they eat. Leticia has excellent success in treating lisps, those tricky /r/ sounds and a variety of speech disorders. She has had experience working with orthodontists in assisting to eliminate habits that affect oral motor movement for feeding and speech.
Leticia is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with parents, teachers and other professionals and she has presented many workshops.
As a native to Brazil, Leticia is also a fluent Portuguese speaker and this is a great resource for any Portuguese speaking families on the Gold Coast who are requiring speech, language or feeding support for their children.
Leticia truly believes children and their families can get a lot more out of a multidisciplinary team and is very happy to be part of an amazing supportive one.
“Our Speech Pathology team works closely with the following wonderful professionals”
Dominic Gunther
Physiotherapist
Communicate GCBio
Dominic graduated with a Doctor of Physiotherapy at Bond University in 2011. Since graduating she has worked in both public and private sectors where she established her skills and knowledge in the area of paediatrics.
Dominic has a special interest in working with babies and children with developmental delays and neurological impairments to reach their potential for physical function. Dominic has undertaken extensive professional development to provide the most up to date evidence-based practice intervention for her clients.
She has experience in providing hydrotherapy as an alternative to land based physiotherapy. She also has expertise in prescription of assistive technologies for all daily living needs. Dominic is passionate about working with children and enjoys working closely with families to empower and maximize their potential.
You can contact Dom on 0412 922 680 or by email.
Jacqui Sharp
Physiotherapist
Communicate GCBio
Jacqui graduated with a Physiotherapy degree in 1991. She has extensive clinical experience working with babies & children with a disability, especially in the area of Early Intervention. She has worked in both community and hospital paediatric settings alongside paediatricians, and in multidisciplinary teams in Australia & the UK. Jacqui has worked in child development services, orthopaedic & neurological rehabilitation clinics and education systems over her career. She is passionate about striving to achieve best outcomes for families, seeing your child in a holistic way, and finding the key to motivating them!
Jacqui has a special interest in working with babies and children with developmental delays, and children on the Hypermobility Spectrum to assist them in reaching their full functional potential with their motor skills. Jacqui likes to keep up to date with professional development in order to provide evidence-based practice intervention for her clients.
She is experienced in the assessment, prescription and training of Assistive Technology to enhance your child’s function in their home & community. Raising three boys, Jacqui has enthusiasm, energy , patience and knows the importance of realistic strategies incorporated into family life.
You can contact Jacqui on 0411775809 or by email jacquibubsandkidsphysio@gmail.com
Cathy Trace
Occupational Therapist
Communicate GCBio
Cathy graduated as an Occupational Therapist from the University of Queensland in 1992. Since then she has specialised in working with children and adults with a disability and global delays.
Cathy’s adventures have taken her to work roles in Australia, England and Ireland, supporting individuals, families and carers as a catalyst to increased participation in home, school and their community. This has included the development of interaction, learning, motor, regulation and sensory processing skills as well as the trial and prescription of equipment and assistive technology.
Cathy is enjoying her new adventure in private practice and working in a supportive multi disciplinary team.
You can contact Cath on 0409 759 548 or by email.
Shae Coughlin
Occupational Therapist
Communicate GCBio
Shae graduated from Bond University with a Masters of Occupational Therapy. She also holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Griffith University.
Shae has a special interest in working with young children experiencing learning difficulties, Sensory Processing Disorders, ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has worked in both private practice and not for profit organisations where she helped facilitate the development of social and classroom skills, improved fine motor skills and taught daily living skills such as toileting, dressing and self-feeding.
Shae’s love of her job and clients is evident in everything she does, she takes a true sense of joy from seeing them achieve their goals.
Dawn Lim
Psychologist
Communicate GCBio
Dawn obtained her Bachelor degree in Psychology in 2010 and then her Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology from Monash University, Melbourne. She is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Dawn’s work experience comprises conducting Psycho-educational assessments and facilitating social, behavioural and emotional regulation intervention programmes both individually, as well as in groups. She has received training in Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking and incorporates these concepts in her therapeutic interventions. Dawn works together with families to enable children to realise their potential and strives to apply multidisciplinary approaches in her practice. She believes that family supported intervention enhances all children’s success. Outside of work, Dawn enjoys watching movies, series and variety shows, bonding with family and friends over food and travelling whenever she can.
Rebates
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a nationally funded scheme that can provide life long support to children and adults with a disability who may need extra support.
Participants who have been assessed, and qualify for NDIS funding develop an individualized plan outlining the supports they need to achieve their goals.
If speech pathology support is identified in their plan, then participants may have the full cost of their speech pathology session covered.
Our therapists support individuals who are either self managed or plan managed through the NDIS. (See NDIS website for futher information – link to fact sheet on NDIS website).
Medicare Rebates – Chronic Disease Management
- Our clinic is approved to see children that qualify for Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan – formerly an Enhanced Care Plan.
- Children need to have a referral from their GP for this program.
- This program supports children who have chronic conditions, needing team care, and who have been deemed eligible by their GP.
- A rebate for 5 sessions per calendar year is offered. (only part of the full cost of a session is typically covered).
Medicare Rebates – Children with a disability
- Children under 15 years of age with a diagnosis of Autism or a disability included in the Better Start Initiative, may be eligible for up to 4 assessment sessions, and 20 therapy sessions. (per child per lifetime).
- To qualify for this program, children will need a referral letter from their paediatrician. This letter must be presented to the therapist at the time of the appointment. (only part of the full cost of a session is typically covered).
Better Start
- Children under 7 years of age who have a particular diagnosis may be eligible for better start funding.
- Disability diagnoses included in Better start funding are:cerebral palsy, fragile X syndrome, Down Syndrome, Moderate Hearing Impairment, Moderate Vision Impairment, Prader-Willi syndrome, Williams syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Kabuki syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, Rett’s Disorder, Cri du Chat syndrome, Microcephaly.
- Children registered with Better Start can access up to $12,000 (maximum of $6,000 per year) to pay for therapy services.
- Our clinic is a registered provider for Better Start for Children With Disabilities Initiative.
Helping Children with Autism Initiative (FaHCSIA)
- Children under 7 years of age, who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and who have a letter of introduction from the Autism Advisor are eligible for up to $12,000 of therapy services (with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per year).
- Our clinic is registered for Helping Children with Autism Initiative through the Autism Gold Coast Consortium.
Private Health Fund Rebates
Families with extras cover on their Private Health Insurance that includes Speech Pathology may be eligible for a rebate from their private health fund.
Work With Us
“Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Allied Health Professional looking for a new position? Our team is always on the look out for a great team members to join us. Please contact us with a cover letter saying why you think you would be a good fit and your CV with 2 professional referees.”.
