Making Milestones are proud to be among the top providers of kids’ speech pathology Adelaide wide. We understand that clear and confident communication is essential for both children and adults. Our experienced speech therapists for kids offer expert speech therapy in Adelaide, working closely with schools, kindergartens, and other local therapy providers. This collaborative approach ensures our services are thorough and meet the needs of every child.
Our Services & Expertise
Our team has experience in supporting a variety of speech and language needs. We understand that each person is unique, and we are here to help children and adults communicate with confidence. Below is an overview of the range of speech therapy services we offer in Adelaide, all provided in a caring and supportive environment.
Speech Therapy
Speech is how we form sounds and words to communicate. At Making Milestones, we provide compassionate support for children and adults who experience challenges with speech. Our goal is to help individuals speak clearly and confidently.
Articulation and Pronunciation
Articulation is how we shape sounds using the mouth, lips, and tongue. Clear articulation allows us to speak in a way that others can easily understand. Pronunciation refers to how words are spoken and can vary between individuals or different dialects.
Some children (and adults) may struggle with articulation or pronunciation, making it difficult to form certain speech sounds consistently. For example, a child may say ‘wabbit’ instead of ‘rabbit’ or substitute sounds, such as saying ‘thun’ instead of ‘sun’. Lisps and other speech sound difficulties can affect confidence and communication with others.
Our speech therapists work gently and patiently to assess each person’s needs and develop a personalised plan to improve speech clarity. Therapy may include guided practice, exercises, and support strategies that can be continued at home.
With the right support, many children and adults experience significant improvements in their speech, allowing them to communicate more clearly and with greater ease.
Phonological Disorders
Phonology is the way sounds are organised to form words. Children with phonological disorders may be able to say certain sounds but use them in the wrong place or leave them out.
For example, a child might say ‘doh’ instead of ‘go’ or ‘lie’ instead of ‘like’. These difficulties can affect speech clarity and make it harder for others to understand them.
Phonological challenges are linked to language and literacy development, so early support is important. At Making Milestones, our speech therapy services help children improve their speech patterns. We also work with schools, kindergartens, and teachers to provide the right support in learning environments.
Voice
Our voice is essential for communication. It helps us express thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Some people may experience voice difficulties, making it hard to speak clearly or comfortably.
Voice problems can happen when the vocal cords in the voice box (larynx) are not working as they should. This can lead to changes in pitch, loudness, or overall voice quality, affecting daily communication.
We provide support for:
- Strained or tired voices
- Soft or weak speech
- Difficulty controlling pitch and loudness
- Rough, scratchy, or hoarse voices
- Voice changes due to neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy)
- Voice rehabilitation after illness or injury
- Gender-affirming voice training
Making Milestones take a supportive and caring approach. We also work with Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists and other professionals to ensure the best care for every individual.
Fluency
Fluency is how smoothly we speak, including the rhythm and flow of words. Sometimes, people may repeat sounds, pause often, or struggle to get words out. This can be called stuttering, stammering, or cluttering.
Fluency difficulties may cause:
- Frustration when words don’t come out easily
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or phrases often
- Hesitations, stops, or a lack of flow in speech
- Avoiding certain words or phrases due to difficulty saying them
- Avoiding speaking altogether due to communication struggles
- Physical behaviours like blinking or tapping while trying to speak
- Frequent use of filler words like ‘um’ or ‘ah’
Fluent speech helps with clear communication and social confidence. At Making Milestones, we provide personalised speech therapy for kids and adults, helping them improve fluency and feel more at ease when speaking. Our caring team offers assessments, therapy plans, and long-term support to build confidence and reduce frustration.
Language
Language is how we use words to communicate, whether spoken, signed, or written. It helps us express ideas, understand others, and interact effectively.
Language involves:
- Understanding what words mean
- Forming new words
- Structuring sentences correctly
- Knowing how to communicate in different situations
Expressive Language
Expressive language refers to how we use words to share our thoughts. Some individuals may have difficulty putting words together, have a limited vocabulary, or struggle to use language in a way that suits the situation.
At Making Milestones, we provide personalised support to help individuals develop their language skills, improving their ability to communicate clearly and confidently
Receptive Language
Receptive language refers to the ability to understand and process language. It includes recognising words, following instructions, and understanding the meaning behind what is said. For some, difficulties in this area can impact their ability to engage in conversations and comprehend what is being communicated.
We offer targeted support to help individuals with receptive language challenges. Our language therapy services aim to improve:
- Listening Skills: Helping clients better understand spoken language and follow directions with ease.
- Vocabulary Development: Enhancing word knowledge and the ability to understand and recall words when needed.
- Questioning Skills: Supporting clients in asking and answering questions, fostering the ability to communicate effectively in various situations.
- Social Language Skills: Assisting with using language appropriately in social interactions, ensuring clients can engage in conversations and follow the rules of communication and play.
- Literacy Skills: Building skills for reading and writing to support communication and academic development.
- Key Word Sign: Supporting those who require alternative methods of communication through non-verbal means.
We understand the vital role that communication plays in daily life and believe in finding the best approach for each individual. Our goal is to create personalised speech and language programs that foster communication skills in all areas of life.
Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects social, communication, and behavioural skills. As it is a spectrum, the characteristics and challenges associated with ASD can vary significantly from one individual to another.
Children with ASD may exhibit certain patterns of language and behaviour, including:
- Repetitive or rigid language
- Narrow interests or exceptional abilities
- Uneven language development
- Difficulty with non-verbal communication
We offer support for children with ASD, focusing on speech and language development as well as education and guidance for families. We understand that each child’s needs are unique, and our therapy and intervention programs are designed to support their individual challenges and goals.
Our approach to support includes:
Assessing the child’s language development through play, conversation, and other strategies. We observe interactions with others to gain a deeper understanding of communication patterns.
Standardised assessments to identify strengths and areas that need further support, enabling us to design personalised and inclusive programs.
We focus on the following key areas during assessment and therapy:
- Receptive language (understanding spoken language)
- Expressive language (sentence use and grammar)
- Pragmatic language (social communication and interactions)
- Literacy and phonological skills (reading, writing, and spelling)
- Articulation and pronunciation
- Fluency of speech
- Social and play skills
We also have experience working with teenagers and adults on the spectrum. Our aim is to break down communication barriers and help both children and adults connect more effectively with those around them.
We believe in a multidisciplinary approach, working alongside other professionals such as Occupational Therapists and Psychologists to provide holistic support for your child. We’re here to help every step of the way, ensuring your child has the best chance to thrive.
Developmental Delays
Children develop at their own pace, but some may experience delays in areas such as motor skills, emotional and social development, cognitive abilities, or speech and language.
Various factors can contribute to developmental delays in speech and language, including:
- Hearing loss or frequent ear infections
- Tongue-tie or issues with the palate
- Mild to moderate learning disabilities
- Intellectual disabilities due to birth injuries or genetic conditions
- Developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Physical illness or extended hospital stays
- Family stress or childhood trauma
Our therapy programs are designed to create safe and supportive learning environments that cater to each child’s unique needs. We believe that early intervention is crucial. By forming positive partnerships with Paediatricians, GPs, specialists, and other Allied Health professionals, we can help children reach their full potential and provide the necessary support for their development.
Feeding Assessments
Making Milestones are specialised in assessing, diagnosing, and treating feeding challenges in both adults and children. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, focusing on creating personalised strategies that support successful mealtimes. We conduct therapy assessments to better understand each individual’s needs, including evaluating oral motor skills, swallowing disorders, food preferences, and sensory challenges.
Oral Motor Examination and Food and Fluid Trials
What does a feeding assessment involve for children and adults?
A diagnostic feeding assessment at Making Milestones may include:
- Gathering your child’s medical and developmental history
- Evaluating their eating and drinking skills
- Using cervical auscultation (a stethoscope) to observe the timing of their suck/swallow function
- Conducting an aspiration and penetration examination, assessing muscle tone
- Observing their response to new and non-preferred foods
- Evaluating mealtime behaviours, including fussiness
- Assessing how your family interacts during mealtimes
Following the assessment, we provide a written report detailing key findings, recommended goals, and strategies to help overcome feeding challenges. Our goal is to create an effective, practical plan that makes mealtimes successful.
We adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to feeding success. If necessary, we may refer your child to other specialists, such as Occupational Therapists to help with sensory needs, or Dieticians to support nutritional needs and encourage healthier, stress-free mealtimes.
Swallowing Disorders
Swallowing difficulties, medically referred to as dysphagia, involve challenges in moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. This can include issues with sucking, swallowing, chewing, eating, or even experiencing choking episodes. Swallowing difficulties require careful assessment, as they can cause significant health concerns if not addressed promptly.
We conduct clinical evaluations to determine the severity of swallowing difficulties. If necessary, we may recommend a videofluoroscopic swallowing study, which is a non-invasive exam that evaluates the ability to swallow safely using fluoroscopy. This test helps identify the best food and fluid consistencies for an individual’s needs.
After completing assessments, we develop an oral management plan that includes strategies for safe eating and drinking, along with ongoing therapy to ensure continued support and success with swallowing.
Paediatric Feeding and Mealtime Support
We offer thorough assessments to support your child’s swallowing and mealtime management. Our experienced team provides tailored strategies for children experiencing feeding challenges such as dysphagia (swallowing disorders), eating difficulties, food aversions, and related behavioural concerns.
We understand the challenges some children face with swallowing or eating, and we are here to equip both children and parents with the right knowledge and practical tools to navigate any mealtime obstacles.
Feeding Assessments and Swallowing Disorder Services
Alongside our language and speech therapy services throughout Adelaide, Making Milestones also offers feeding assessments and examinations. We are committed to ensuring that your child has the necessary skills for safe and effective eating. Whether it’s difficulties with swallowing or other mealtime struggles, our team is ready to guide your child toward a positive eating experience.
We support families by offering solutions for issues like food aversions, dysphagia, and eating disorders. Our approach is personalised, ensuring that each child’s unique needs are met with the care and attention they deserve.
Get in Touch with Making Milestones
If you are looking for trusted speech pathology and feeding support in Adelaide, Making Milestones is here to help. Call or email us today to learn more about how our services, including NDIS speech pathology, can support your family every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to offering the best care and assistance through speech therapy and feeding support across Adelaide.
