Long before children speak their first words, they are already communicating. Every smile, glance, coo, and gesture is part of what we call “pre-language” or talking-readiness skills, the building blocks that set children up to talk and connect. What Is Talking Readiness? Talking readiness refers to all the ways children communicate without using words, things like: Looking and listening Imitating facial expressions or actions Taking turns in back-and-forth interactions Using

At SMART Spot, we see all behaviour as communication, a child’s way of showing us what they need, how they feel, or what might be too hard right now. Instead of focusing on “managing” behaviour, we focus on understanding and supporting it. When children show big feelings or tricky behaviours, it’s not about defiance or control it’s often about overwhelm, communication differences, unmet sensory needs, or skills still developing. When we pause to ask why  rather than how to st

Emotional regulation is a skill and just like walking, talking, or riding a bike, it takes time and practice to master. Between the ages of 3 and 8, children are still learning how to manage big feelings like frustration, anger, disappointment, or even overwhelming excitement. Some kids need a little extra support during these moments and that’s completely okay. Why do children need help calming down? Young children are still developing the brain pathways that help them manag

Phonological awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the sounds that make up spoken words. This might look like: Picking out rhyming words (“cat, hat, bat”) Clapping out the syllables in a word (e.g., “spi-der” has two syllables) Noticing when words start with the same sound (“big, blue, balloon”) Tuning in to the individual  sounds in words like hearing that “dog” is made up of /d/ /o/ /g/ That last skill is called phonemic awareness, and it's one of t

School readiness isn’t just about knowing letters or numbers, it’s about feeling safe, confident, and connected as your child steps into a new learning environment. Children thrive in school when they’ve had time to build early foundations across communication, social interaction, emotional awareness, and independence . The great news? Many of these skills are built in everyday moments at home, in play, and during routines, no worksheets required! Key Areas of School Readines

You’ve probably heard of autism and dyslexia but have you heard of Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD? It’s more common than you think. In fact, around 1 in 14 people have DLD, yet it often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood. That’s because it isn’t visible. You can’t “see” DLD the way you might notice a physical disability and many people with DLD develop clever ways to cope or mask their challenges. So, What Is DLD? DLD is a lifelong brain-based difference that makes it

At SMART Spot, one of our go-to tools for supporting neurodivergent children is visual supports and for good reason. Visuals aren’t just pretty pictures or charts. They’re powerful, practical tools that can turn confusion into clarity, help children feel safe and confident, and make everyday life just a little bit easier. Whether your child is autistic, has sensory differences, or communication differences, visual supports are often a game changer. What Are Visual Supports? V

As parents, it's only natural to wonder whether your child's unclear speech is just a phase or something they’ll grow out of with time. You might hear advice like “Give it time” or “They’ll catch up,” especially if your child is still young. And while that might  be true for some children, it’s not always the case. The truth is: speech development varies widely from child to child, and early support can make a significant difference especially when communication is becoming f

At SMART Spot, we know that seeking an autism assessment can feel like a big step. Our goal is to make this process respectful, validating, and genuinely helpful for your child and family. That’s why we’re so proud to have Kristyn Hibberson, our Senior Speech Pathologist, leading our autism assessment work. With extensive experience and a calm, compassionate approach, Kristyn helps families feel safe, seen, and supported every step of the way. What sets our assessments apart?

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...