Services

Assessment

Our first meeting is likely to be a ‘get to know you’ session. This may be at home, school/work or at the SBSP Lismore space.  Are we a good fit? Can we meet your needs and goals? What is ‘doable’ for you in your world?

 

Each program comes with a comprehensive and purpose designed assessment protocol. That being said the target of the assessment (funding, therapy planning, determining level for groups), the profiles of the individual and the input of the family members attending will all play a part in the assessments final design.

 

At SBSP we will not engage in assessment protocols  which are distressing for our clients. We have spent many years building a repertoire of ‘scoreable’ assessments (often needed by the NDIS or Education) which provide baseline information and therapy planning without meltdowns.

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An assessment may take one or two sessions.  An assessment may require formal assessment tools such as the CELF-5 language assessment or informal tools such as observation, video analysis or checklist completion.

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An assessment may be stand alone or lead to therapy, with or without a report.

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The information from an assessment will be discussed with a family and when they have granted permission will that information be shared with relevant people such as GP, paediatrician, other allied therapists or teacher.

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Post- Assessment

Following the initial session and assessment, the family and speech pathologist will decide what is advisable and also ‘doable’.

 

Sessions which are billed for one hour run for 45 minutes and allow 15 mins for set-up/pack away & notes.

 

Some programs such as most stuttering treatment protocol require a significant level of direct home practice, with the parent/carer as a co-therapist, needing 5 – 7 home practice sessions of around 10-15 minutes depending on the age of the child.

 

Neurodiversity-Affirming approaches may be less direct and see us experimenting with different ways of communicating or subtle changes within the environment to support the client’s communication growth. Where an Alternative & Augmentative (AAC) approach is adopted, ‘on-line’ modelling throughout the day is essential, as is learning the ‘tools’ e.g. signs or how a device is programmed.

 

Our lives are busy and truthfully many things can stand in the way of regular home practice. Here honesty is essential, so that if a family is struggling to meet the program commitments, we can have a juicy brainstorm to see how we can fluidly come up with a ‘doable’ solution.

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Coaching

Nicole has a broad and extensive background in coaching & advocating for SABSP clients. SBSP loves empowering others (parents, teachers, support workers..) to really take the lead  with therapy through building up knowledge, skills & practice.

 

Put simply coaching is when the skills that used at Step Boldly Speech Pathology are handed-over, like a baton in a relay to another participant to run with. 

 

Coaching is an active not passive process. It is not ‘telling you what to do’.

 

Coaching usually starts with explanation, then demonstration & modelling, then online-practice by the new baton holder whilst the speech pathologist adjusts or modifies practice and finally practice without the speech pathologist in the child’s environment. 

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Mentoring

Mentoring is an essential component to maintain curiosity and relevance as a professional.
 

Like a chain we all fall between those who have a greater wealth of experience and those with less. These links create strength of practice. A broken chain has limited strength. At Step Boldly Speech Pathology Nicole actively pursues mentoring relationships, being both a mentor and a mentee.

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Research

Step Boldly Speech Pathology is more than happy to provide you with links or hard copies to my own or relevant research upon request.

 

Innovation

• New solutions to old problems

• Reimagining in partnerships with families and professionals

• Remaining curious & open to new approaches

 

Funding

• Fees upon application

• Medicare – Chronic Disease Management Plan

• Private Health Care

• NDIS

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Where do you find SBSP?

New! We are so excited to open the new SBSP Neurodiversity-Affirming therapy space in downtown Lismore.  SBSP will be operating there over 4 days. SBSP now has a minimal mobile service which means we often work in your home or educational setting.  Visits to home or an educational setting for observations during the assessment period or later for coaching are also a priority.

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Monday : 8.00 - 4 00 (SBSP@ClubLane)

Tuesday:  8.00 - 4.00 (SBSP@ClubLane)

Wednesday: 8.00 - 4.00 (SBSP@ClubLane)

Thursday: 8.00 - 4.00 (Mobile)

Friday: 8.00 - 12.00 (SBSP@ClubLane)