TANIA TEITZEL
Credentials: B.Sp.Thy (Hons), CPSP
Name of Practice: Therapy Matters
Office 1:
43 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Suites 3-6
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QLD 4220
Office 2:
12 Queen Street, Suite 1B
Murwillumbah NSW 2484
Treatment Locations: Clinic/Office, School, Client’s Home, Client’s Preschool/Daycare, Virtual Telepractice
Phone: 0755207860
Email: info@therapymatters.com.au
Website: https://therapymatters.com.au/
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Minimum Age Treated: 2 years
Maximum Age Treated: 18+ years
Percent of CAS cases: 26-50%
Overall Treatment Approach:
I use a range of intervention approaches in therapy for children with CAS, depending upon severity, age, client temperament, family preferences and recommendations from the research. I advocate for the importance of including AAC methods as soon as possible (e.g. such as key word sign, communication books or high tech communication apps) to provide a child with a way to have a say in life and build the foundations of their vocabulary and grammar while their speech skills develop. I am experienced at providing a range of intervention approaches for speech. These might include Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing, Nuffield Dyspraxia Program and Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST). I also integrate PROMPT as tactile cues and an intervention as needed. I deliver these therapies aligned with the intensity recommendations of the research so this might involve blocks of 2-4 sessions a week for 3-6 weeks followed by a break or period of weekly therapy to focus on other aspects of the child’s development such as their overall communication and language skills, literacy skills or functional communication skills. All of these motor speech treatments incorporate motor learning principles which means that I will work in a trusted, fun and diligent way to support your child with lots of opportunities to practice their speech movements at high intensity levels working towards 100-200+ repetitions of words each session.
Parent Involvement:
I firmly believe that while therapists might hold the textbooks about CAS, parents hold the story book of their child – they know their child best. This means that I seek a collaborative working relationship with parents where we work together to set and review goals. Parents are expected to attend each session with their child. I will work together with you on what home practice looks like for your family as every family is different on how they can incorporate the activities and strategies from speech therapy into their everyday routines.
AAC Use/Implementation Expertise:
AAC is most successful it there is an initial process of matching the child’s needs and preferences, with the parent’s preferences, the research evidence and the AAC method. I am an accredited key word sign presenter in Australia which means that I can help parents through in session modelling and formal training to learn how to incorporate key word sign into everyday routines. I also have experience with modelling and using aided language stimulation boards, communication books (like PODD books), AAC apps (e.g. Proloquo2go, LAMP, Snap + Core First) and dedicated AAC devices. My clinical experience over 30 years has shown that early introduction of AAC provides the strongest foundation for positive later language outcomes and makes a difference when it gives a child an ability to show others what is really in their head that they wish to communicate while speech is developing.
ALEISHA HAWLEY
Credentials: Master of Speech Pathology, Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
Name of Practice: Flow Talk
Address:
Mobile Speech Clinic
Perth, Western Australia
Treatment Locations: Mobile Speech Clinic providing therapy in School, Client’s Home, Client’s Preschool/Daycare, Virtual Telepractice
Phone: 0428477006
Email: aleisha@flowtalk.com.au
Website: https://www.flowtalk.com.au
Business Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Minimum Age Treated: 6 months
Maximum Age Treated: 18+ years
Percent of CAS cases: >76%
Overall Treatment Approach:
I use a range of evidence-based approaches that are designed to help children with motor speech difficulties learn to speak more clearly and confidently. My therapy is based on how the brain plans and practises speech movements, using well-researched methods such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST), Nuffield Dyspraxia Program (NDP3), and Integrated Phonological Awareness (IPA). Each child’s therapy plan is individualised and focused on what helps their speech system learn best while strongly adhering to evidence-informed practice.
I hold specialist credentialling in cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) and have extensive experience supporting children with a wide range of needs including those with complex genetic, neurological, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
My goal is always to make therapy meaningful, motivating, and effective.
Parent Involvement:
I see parents and caregivers as active partners in therapy. From the very beginning, families are involved in setting goals, shaping session activities, and identifying what matters most for their child’s communication in everyday life. Between sessions, I provide individualised home practice that’s practical and meaningful, helping families know exactly how to support carryover at home. This collaboration ensures that the skills learned in therapy are reinforced in natural, real-world settings where children communicate most.
AAC Use/Implementation Expertise:
I’m a strong advocate for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and believe that every child deserves a reliable way to communicate while developing their speech skills. I have extensive experience implementing AAC systems and devices within therapy sessions to help bridge communication gaps, reduce frustration, and support participation.
OLGA KOMADINA
Credentials: Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Treatment Locations: Clinic/Office, School, Client’s Home, Client’s Preschool/Daycare, Virtual Telepractice
Name of Practice: Olga Komadina Apraxia Therapy
Address:
Albury-Wodonga Region
NSW, Australia
Phone: 0414599745
Email: info@olgakomadinapraxiatherapy.com.au
Website: https://olgakomadinapraxiatherapy.com.au
Business Hours: Monday and Friday, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Minimum Age Treated: 1.5 years
Maximum Age Treated: 18+ years
Percent of CAS cases: >76%
Additional Languages Offered: Serbian Croatian
Overall Treatment Approach:
Olga employs an eclectic approach to treating children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), with a strong focus on Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing (DTTC). She has successfully helped many 2-3 year-olds with CAS, who initially could only say 4-5 words or approximations, progress to speaking in sentences after just 2-3 months of intensive therapy. Olga collaborates closely with other professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pediatricians, and teachers, to ensure the best possible outcomes for each child.
Community Involvement:
Olga is dedicated to raising awareness about Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) across Australia. She speaks at professional development events for allied health professionals and educators, and consults with speech pathologists nationwide. Her goal is to ensure that children with CAS receive timely, best-practice speech therapy.
Parent Involvement:
Parents and caregivers are required to attend and actively participate in therapy sessions with their children. This involvement ensures they can effectively carry over the strategies and techniques used in therapy into the home and community environment.
AAC Use/Implementation Expertise:
Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) can be vital in supporting a child with CAS. Providing an alternative means of expression helps reduce frustration and offers a break from the challenging work of learning to speak more clearly. Olga is experienced with a range of AAC tools, from low-tech options like picture cards to high-tech devices such as LAMP, Proloquo2Go, and Dynavox.
SIMAR DHALIWAL
Credentials: B.A.Sc, M.S.Path
Treatment Locations: Clinic/Office, Virtual Telepractice
Name of Practice: Building Blocks Speech Pathology
Address: 403 Dorset Road, Croydon South
Melbourne, VIC, 3136, Australia
Phone: +61450956431
Email: info@buildingblockssp.com
Minimum Age Treated: 3 years
Maximum Age Treated: 15 years
Percent of CAS cases: 51-75%
Additional Languages Offered: Punjabi
Overall Treatment Approach:
I use several methods depending on the severity of CAS. I use Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing, which involves picking various speech targets and practising these in a supported, structured way. I also use the Nuffield Dyspraxia Program and Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment. These treatments use the motor learning principles – meaning a high level of support, lots of practise and a high number of sessions are provided.
Parent Involvement:
Parents are generally expected to attend all sessions unless their personal circumstances do not allow for it. I give guidance for how parents can practise the target words at home, allowing them to practise during my sessions so that they feel capable of home practise outside of the session.
AAC Use/Implementation Expertise:
Choosing the right AAC is important. We trial a range of options, then choose the right one for your child. I coach parents on using AAC in all environments and have the most confidence using the LAMP system. I also teach Key Word Sign to assist the child in getting their message across while they trial other AAC options.
