At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we're here to support your child's journey toward clear and confident speech. If your child is struggling with producing certain sounds or swapping one sound for another we’re ready to help! Our expert team will conduct thorough assessments and provide tailored therapy to address these challenges.

Common speech difficulties include:

• Phonological disorders: These are patterns of sound errors that affect how sounds are organized in the brain. For example, a child might use front sounds like /t/ and /d/ instead of back sounds like /k/ and /g/, changing "cat" to "tat".

• Articulation and motor speech difficulties: These involve difficulty producing specific sounds correctly. Common issues include difficulties with sounds like /s/, /r/, /l/, and "th". These errors are often treated with a focused approach, sometimes including orofacial myology programs to help with sound production. Our team are also highly trained to support children with childhood apraxia of speech.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we conduct detailed assessments to identify the underlying causes of the presenting speech difficulties and support your child to achieve clear speech. Early intervention can make a significant difference, boosting your child’s confidence in speaking with friends and family.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we’re excited to offer specialised care in orofacial myology to support your child’s oral and facial health. Orofacial myology focuses on the muscles of the face and mouth and how they affect speaking, eating, and overall oral function.

What is Orofacial Myology?

Orofacial myology involves the assessment and treatment of muscle patterns and habits that impact the mouth, face, and jaw. Our goal is to help your child achieve optimal oral function and address any difficulties that may be affecting their speech, eating, or overall functioning.

Goals of Orofacial Myology:

• Improve Muscle Function: Enhance the coordination and strength of oral and facial muscles for better speech and swallowing.

• Correct Habits: Address habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing that can interfere with proper muscle function.

• Support Healthy Development: Ensure the correct development of oral structures to promote healthy growth and function.

Symptoms of Orofacial Myology Issues:

If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they might benefit from orofacial myology therapy:

• Difficulty with speech sounds or articulation

• Persistent mouth breathing

• Challenges with chewing or swallowing

• Dental alignment issues

• Frequent thumb sucking or other oral habits

What Can Lead to Orofacial Myology Difficulties?

Several factors can contribute to orofacial myology issues, including:

• Early Childhood Habits: Thumb sucking, pacifier use, or prolonged bottle feeding.

• Muscle Imbalances: Weak or overactive oral and facial muscles.

• Structural Issues: Misalignment of the teeth or jaw.

• Respiratory Issues: Chronic nasal congestion leading to habitual mouth breathing.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, our experienced team is dedicated to identifying and addressing orofacial myology concerns. We create personalised treatment plans to help your child develop healthy oral habits and improve their overall function.

If you’re noticing signs of orofacial myology difficulties in your child, contact us today.

Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where the lingual frenulum (the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) restricts the tongue's normal movement. This condition develops in utero and is present from birth.

A tongue tie is characterised by a frenulum that limits the tongue’s range of motion. However, it’s important to note that not all frenulums are considered problematic; a tongue tie is only identified as such if it significantly affects the ability to speak, eat, or breathe properly.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we provide thorough assessment for tongue tie, focusing on how the restriction impacts your child’s speech, eating habits, and overall breathing. Our team is dedicated to assessing these areas and developing a plan to address any functional issues related to tongue tie.

What’s Next?

If our assessment indicates that a tongue tie is affecting your child’s function, we may recommend consulting with an ENT specialist or a paediatric dentist. These professionals can provide further assessment and discuss potential treatment options, including surgical interventions if necessary.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we work closely with these specialists to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to your child’s care. Our goal is to support your child’s oral health and functional development every step of the way.

Language is more than just speech; it’s how we use words and sentences to express our needs and ideas. At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we focus on two key aspects of language:

• Expressive Language: This is how your child forms and speaks sentences to share their thoughts and needs.

• Receptive Language: This involves how well your child understands what others say and follows instructions.

If your child is having trouble being understood or struggles to follow directions, they might be experiencing challenges with expressive or receptive language.

Our expert team at Coastal Paediatric Therapy is here to help! We’ll assess your child’s language skills to pinpoint the issues and develop a tailored plan to support their growth and communication abilities. Let’s work together to help your child thrive!

Communication is essential for your child’s development and daily interactions, but some children might use different methods to express themselves. For those who face challenges with verbal communication, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems can be valuable tools. Here’s how these methods can support your child:

Alternative Communication: This approach replaces speech entirely. For children who are not yet speaking or have significant difficulties with speech, alternative communication methods, such as sign language or picture-based systems, provide effective ways to communicate their needs and ideas. These methods can provide quick support and enhance their ability to connect and engage with others.

Augmentative Communication: This method enhances or supports existing speech. If your child is already speaking but struggles with clarity or effectively expressing their needs, augmentative communication tools—such as speech-generating devices or communication boards—can provide additional support. These tools help bridge the gap between their current speech abilities and their communication goals.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we can assess whether an AAC system would benefit your child and tailor a solution to their unique needs. Our experienced team will guide you and your child in selecting the right communication method and teach you how to use it effectively. We’re here to ensure that your child reaches their communication goals and feels confident in expressing themselves.

Reach out to us to explore how alternative and augmentative communication options can enhance your child’s ability to connect and communicate.

Speech pathologists and Occupational Therapists at Coastal Paediatric Therapy are here to support not just your child's development but also their feeding challenges. If your child struggles with trying new foods, has strong food preferences, or experiences difficulties during mealtimes, feeding therapy could be a valuable solution.

Why Feeding Therapy Matters:

Feeding challenges can significantly impact your child's overall well-being and daily life. These issues might include picky eating, aversions to certain textures or tastes, or difficulties with chewing and swallowing. Addressing these challenges early can make mealtimes more enjoyable and less stressful for both your child and your family.

Our Approach to Feeding Therapy:

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we believe in a whole-family approach to feeding therapy. We understand that mealtime issues are often intertwined with daily routines and family dynamics. Our goal is to address all aspects of your child's eating habits and mealtime behaviors to create a supportive and effective plan.

One of the key methods we use is the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach. This evidence-based method helps children gradually increase their acceptance of new foods by focusing on the sensory experiences of eating, rather than simply encouraging them to try new foods. Through this approach, we work to build a positive relationship with food and reduce mealtime stress.

Our personalised care ensures that each therapy plan is tailored to your child's unique needs and preferences, fostering a more enjoyable and less challenging eating experience.

If you're concerned about your child's eating habits or mealtime behaviour, contact us today to learn how feeding therapy can help improve their relationship with food and support your family’s mealtime experience.

Fine motor skills are the small, precise movements that involve the muscles in the hands and fingers. These skills are important for everyday tasks that require control and coordination, like writing, buttoning a shirt, or using a spoon. They also help children develop the ability to use tools, play with toys, and even tie their shoes.

Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscles in the body, such as those in the core, arms, and legs, to help with balance, coordination, and overall movement. These skills are essential for activities like running, jumping, climbing, and playing sports.

We focus on fun, engaging ways to help your child build these important skills so they can thrive.

Emotional regulation is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage feelings. For children, it means learning to identify emotions, express them appropriately, and handle intense feelings in different situations.

Sensory processing skills allow children to take in and make sense of sensory information from their environment—such as sights, sounds, textures and smells—and respond appropriately. These skills help children navigate the world around them, ensuring they can react to everyday stimuli in a way that supports their learning and behaviour.

ISelf-care skills are the essential tasks children learn to do independently as they grow. These skills include activities like dressing, eating, toileting, brushing teeth, and grooming. Mastering these routines helps children build confidence, promotes independence, and sets them up for success in everyday life.

At Coastal Paediatric Therapy, we support children in developing these important skills through fun and practical activities, empowering them to care for themselves and feel more confident in their abilities.