Speech Therapy – Gunawirra

Speech Therapy

The Speech Therapy program was developed as a result of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island mothers on what they could be doing to build their children’s confidence and self-esteem before going to school.

The program is designed to help the children feel like they have been understood and to strengthen communication and bonding between mothers and their children. Speech therapy activities are built into the entire Young Aboriginal Mothers Program using techniques like language stimulation, modelling communication and interaction work.

“Children who have experienced direct or indirect trauma may have difficulty communicating, socialising and connecting with others. At Gunawirra, we acknowledge the significant impact trauma can have on a child’s development. We believe secure mother-child bonding is key to improving a child’s ability to interact with the world around them, and support the growth of this connection within our programs. Through this approach, we are able to encourage our children to develop their speech, language and play skills, and enable them to feel connected, heard and understood”

Kizzy Searle | Speech Therapist for Young Aboriginal Mothers Program

Building Confidence

Speech Therapy is integrated across the Young Aboriginal Mothers Program to build confidence for mothers and children. Children are empowered to better express their emotions and thoughts, wants and needs. This expression builds self-respect and confidence at a young age. The mothers build confidence in knowledge on communication development and their abilities to help their child with speech development. They are guided to create rich language environments within everyday routines.

Mother-Child Bonding

Each week, the mothers are eager to learn strategies to facilitate communication development and play skills they can use at home. The program provides the mothers with a supportive space to share their thoughts and experiences on their child’s development. Our speech therapist teaches the mothers different ways to interpret and understand what their child may be expressing. Through these gentle introductions to the foundations of speech therapy, mothers are able to bond in a range of different ways with their children and each other.

School Readiness

The Speech Therapy program is important in preparing young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children for success at school. The emphasis is on giving children the means to communicate their thoughts, feelings, wants and needs by developing a range of communication strategies. In group sessions, the use of play is also beneficial for the assessment and treatment of particular language and communication difficulties. Our Speech Therapist provides guidance on language, play and social skills and treatment for any specific speech impairments.

Building Confidence

Mother-Child Bonding

School Readiness

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