Welcome to "Fun to Talk"

Our philosophy involves empowering parents to become confident leaders when helping their child to communicate. I provide paediatric speech pathology services and have a passion for early intervention (children aged 0-7 years), as this is when the most change can happen. I am based in Somerton Park. However, I also provide a mobile service if needed.

About Me

Originally from Canada, Sarah moved to Australia in 2009 after spending time travelling the world and teaching English in South Korea and Brazil. She graduated from Flinders University in 2011 with a Masters of Speech Pathology and began working in early intervention, specifically with deaf and hearing impaired children.

Being the mother of three beautiful children, Sarah understands the unique challenges and rewards of being a busy working parent.

Sarah Thurling

Speech & Language Pathologist

BA, MSpPth, MSPAA, LSLS Cert AVT®

Sarah has been working as a paediatric speech pathologist for over 10 years. She has a passion for early intervention (ages 0 to 7) and has has helped many parents to achieve their child's speech, language and hearing goals.

Sarah has extensive experience with children who are deaf and hard of hearing and has undertaken extra training to become a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with an Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) Certification. This method of therapy is evidence based (LOCHI study) and shows that children who are deaf or hard of hearing are able develop speech and language skills at the same rate as their hearing peers using their hearing technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants). AVT clinicians specialise in early intervention and help children to reach developmental speech and language milestones.

Sarah has recently completed specialist training in helping autistic children with social interaction and play skills (Hanen, It takes Two to Talk, Early Start Denver Model)

Services

Foundations of Therapy

Consultations in Everyday Environment

Consultations in the home or in clinic
Preschool / school visits
Observation of child's speech, language and social skills in a childcare/preschool settings
Education to teacher and staff about the child's communication needs
Coaching parents on how to achieve their speech and language goals in their daily routines. For example, if the language goal is to learn 'on' and 'off', highlighting 'on' and 'off' while getting dressed in the morning or putting food 'on' and 'off' your plate

Individualised Goals

Standardised assessments are used to determine your child's speech and language goals
Standard assessments are combined with informal assessment through play and interaction with care giver. This gives us an accurate picture of the child's current speech and language levels.
Goals are continually reviewed. New goals are given once previous ones are achieved
Autistic kids: Play based assessment to ascertain level of play and social interaction e.g. joint attention, engagement and interaction

Individualised goals may focus on:

Speech - targets the pronunciation of sounds e.g. child says 'wing' for 'ring'
Receptive Language - the understanding of language and vocabulary (spoken and written) e.g. understands 'Where is the green car?' when asked or if reading the question
Expressive language - the ability to express thoughts and feelings through talking (and writing) e.g. Able to say 'I want the green car' or write this sentence
Social Interaction - being able to share and engage with an autistic child for a social purpose e.g. an autistic child wanting to show you the tower they built

Evidence Based Therapy

Promote early diagnosis and intervention.
Evidence supports that early intervention promotes improved outcomes for children and families by taking advantage of neural plasticity in young children's development.
Follow developmental models of speech, language and communication.
AVT is an evidence-based therapy (LOCHI STUDY) that helps children who are deaf or heard of hearing develop speech and language skill using their hearing technology
Hanen Centre: It takes Two to talk and Early Start Denver Model are both evidence based programs that help autistic children learn how to develop social interaction skills, which is the foundation for language learning

Empowering Parents

Family centered practice - parents let us know what their hopes and dreams are for their child. Speech and language goals are driven by the parents.
Refer to other health care professionals if needed to achieve their holistic goals. E.g., Occupational therapist, Physiotherapist
Parents are able to make the biggest impact on their child as they are with them the most
Guiding and coaching parents on how to achieve speech and language goals in everyday life
Building the parent-child-clinician professional relationship .

Work with a Variety of Children

Deaf or children who are hard of hearing
- Training: Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with Auditory Verbal Therapy Certification
Autism spectrum disorder
- Training: Early Start Denver Model training, It takes 2 to Talk - Hanen Workshop
ADHD
Speech disorders and delays
Language disorders and delays