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 what’s underneath...

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 simple ideas to...

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 everyday demands,...