Speech Pathology Groups
These are short term, targeted communication programs for children and their families. These groups can support any area of speech and language development.
A speech pathologist sets all goals and supervises all activities.
Individualised goals
Each child has individualised communication goals for listening, understanding and talking so that the group meets their current needs.
If you and your child are seeing other therapists the goals you are working on with them can be incorporated into your group goals.
It so much easier on a child and their parents if everyone is consistent and on the same page.
Parents and families make the most difference
Research evidence tells us that parents, carers and families have the greatest impact on a child’s learning.
Our speech pathology group program reflects this by supporting parents and carers to know how to support their child’s communication development. This group will help you apply these ideas at home and help your child learn more quickly.
Advantages of group programs that support a child’s communication development.
These groups take advantage of the great social and conversational learning opportunities that can only occur when children play beside each other and do things together. We only need communicate when we need to say something to someone. Play creates these opportunities. Children need to learn to communicate with different children as well as adults and in different ways.
The sessions create more communication opportunities through the planned group activities.
Families will also learn how to take advantage of play at home and daily routines. They can learn how to support their own child by seeing how other children learn. Families will also learn by sharing ideas with other families.
The program
Most groups start and finish each term but children can join the group again the next term if there is space available.
This program involve a mixture of:
- Before group: individual goal setting and planning sessions
We need to find out how your child is managing now, what they like or don’t like to do and what each family’s goals and priorities are. We also need to make sure the group is going to offer the right supports for your child.
- Weekly group sessions (the number offered depends on the term dates).
- Additional assessment and individual support can be offered if required e.g. home, childcare/ pre-school
- Post group: follow-up and adjustments to goals can be offered after the full program.
This is currently running at these times and locations for term 1. Inquire regarding spaces for current and future groups:
- North Sydney: Thursdays 10:00 am – 11:30 am, 3 Cunningham St, North Sydney
- Pendle Hill: Tuesdays 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Playtime Hall, Pendle Hill Baptist Church, 52 Pendle Way, Pendle Hill