Behind the scenes at SMART Spot, our team comes together fortnightly for Clinical Excellence meetings. These are deep-dive sessions where we share knowledge and reflect on what helps children thrive. Recently, we explored the Learning Hierarchy At SMART Spot, we’re often guided by the Learning Hierarchy, a framework that reminds us that children’s communication doesn’t develop in isolation. To support meaningful, lasting change, we need to look below the surface and consider

Choosing Christmas gifts for children can feel overwhelming, the wish lists get longer every year! But beyond the shiny wrapping paper, the best presents are often those that bring connection, imagination, and shared joy. As Speech Pathologists, we often get asked: “What toys can help my child’s communication?”  The truth is, the best toys aren’t always the flashiest or most expensive, they’re the ones that invite children to talk, imagine, create, and connect. Here are five

Have you heard about PDA? PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance or it is now more commonly known as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), this describes a strong, ongoing need to feel in control of one's actions and choices, often observed in children who feel safest when they are directing the pace, structure, or nature of their interactions. This is a profile seen in some autistic individuals. Children with a PDA profile can experience extreme anxiety in response to

As the year wraps up, many families start thinking about their child’s next big adventure, starting school. It’s an exciting milestone, but it can also bring a mix of pride, nerves, and questions about how to best prepare. School readiness isn’t about being able to read or write before the first day. It’s about having the foundational communication, play, emotional, and self-help skills that help a child feel confident, connected, and ready to learn. What is school readiness?

One of the most common questions we get from families is: “Should my child be saying that sound by now?” The truth is, children don’t learn all their speech sounds at once. There’s a natural, developmental order known as the Speech Sound Hierarchy that helps guide us in understanding what’s typical and what might need extra support. The Speech Sound Hierarchy – A Quick Guide Early sounds – These usually come first (around ages 1–3) and include sounds like: p, b, m, d, n, h, w

At SMART Spot, we’re constantly inspired by the dedication, growth, and passion our team brings to their work. As Term 4 moves full steam ahead, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the exciting things happening across our clinic. Every week looks a little different at SMART Spot, and that’s what makes our team so special. Here’s a glimpse into what everyone’s been up to lately: Kristyn  has been completing autism assessments and supporting families through the dia

Preparing Your Child for Success-Togetherness, Growth, Confidence At SMART Spot, our group-based programs are designed to cultivate...

When your child’s behaviour feels challenging, it can be easy to focus only on what’s happening in the moment, the meltdown, the...

As a speech pathologist, I understand the vital role that verbal phonological awareness plays in a child's language development....

A Key to unlocking language skills Hello, parents! As a speech pathologist, I understand the importance of building a strong foundation...

As parents, we play a crucial role in nurturing our children's language and pre-literacy skills. One essential skill that forms the...

What is communication? Communication is the foundation for how we share information and socialise with others. We use communication every...

One commonly posed question in our sessions is: "What methods can effectively enhance my child's communication skills?" The answer lies...