From a young age, I was interested in helping children. My Mum and Dad played a huge role in my career choice as they both worked in education as passionate primary school teachers. When I was little, I loved going into school with Mum and Dad to meet the children in their class.

What did you study?

I studied a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honors) at the University of Newcastle. I was drawn to the degree in Newcastle because I was hoping to gain employment locally, and give back to the families that live in the my community.

Why speech pathology?

It is a career that allows me to work one on one with children and their families, and give them a 'voice'. I feel honoured to be able to build a child's confidence in their abilities, and support their participation and function in everyday life.

How vital was practical work during your studies?

It was significantly important for me. Having access to some of the best speech pathologists in the industry, I could use these experiences to gain a real understanding of the profession, and hone my skills and passion for helping children and their families.

You are now at A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology. What is the age range of your clients and what do they need assistance with?

At A Growing Understanding, we see clients from birth, until 18 years of age. We provide a wide range of services that support children with a variety of communication and feeding difficulties. More specifically, speech sounds, receptive language (ability to understand words), expressive language (ability to use words), fluency (stuttering), literacy (reading and writing), voice and feeding difficulties. In addition to these services, we also support parents by providing practice skills that enable them to continue therapy in every-day contexts.

What are the main causes of speech development problems in kids?

The main causes of speech development problems include: hearing difficulties, genetic predisposition (i.e. family history), siblings talking for them, language poor environment, psychological (e.g. trauma), intellectual or physical impairment, cultural factors (ie English as second language) and other unknown factors. Depending on the individual child and their age, a combination of formal and informal assessments can be completed to assess a client's abilities, and determine what ongoing intervention might be required.

Can speech pathologists "fix" a speech issue?

Speech therapy is multi-faceted, and there are many elements that determine the level of success of a client. The progress of each client depends on their level of need, how they respond to therapy with a particular clinician, and, most importantly, parent involvement in sessions as well as continued 'practice' at home.

How long is the average client treated?

There is no average client. Every child I see is unique, with individually tailored therapy services. Offering an average treatment period is difficult as many factors need to be considered, including if a certain therapy is effective for the child in question, if there is a need for additional professional support, and whether the family is completing regular home practice.

Why do families of clients need special support?

Having a child with a communication impairment can be difficult. The initial stages of diagnosis and establishing therapy requires a lot of time and nurturing to ensure that each family feels empowered and in control of their child's communication journey. This continues throughout intervention by providing parents and carers with current information and skills to support their child outside of therapy, and in everyday life. By taking a holistic approach to a child's development, our strong working relations with other external professionals and services ensure that our clients can access additional supports if required, and can achieve greater outcomes.

The best part of your job?

Helping children and their families achieve their communication goals. I love being a part of a child's journey, and watching them grow their self-confidence, because of improving their communication skills. Highlighting each child's achievements and strengths, and watching their progress is such a privilege.

And the toughest?

Talking through the initial diagnosis, especially if the family is not anticipating the severity. I strive to ensure my families feel empowered and supported, and know that they do not have to navigate their child's communication difficulties alone.

What does winning the outstanding young employee of 2019 at Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards mean to you?

It was not only a huge honour personally, but it reinforced the importance of speech pathology in the Lake Macquarie community. Speech pathologists are not typically seen as business achievers but as professionals who are dedicated to developing skills and building their passion. This award is representative of all my speech pathology colleagues, who work tirelessly to support our local families.