Why Choose Cheeky Monkeys Speech Pathology?
Answers to Questions
At the end of an assessment Rachel aims to answer these questions for Parents/Carers:
- Are their child’s communication skills where they should be?
- How far behind are they?
- Are they likely to grow out of it on their own?
- Why did this happen?
- What is the biggest priority?
- What can we do to help?
Commitment to Best Practise
Rachel is qualified and completes ongoing professional development each year (eg. attending conferences & workshops, reading journal articles), which helps her keep up with current trends in research and implement best practice recommendations. Training also includes learning to support culturally responsive and safe practises when working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples.
Extensive Experience
Rachel has over 20 years experience assessing and providing therapy for children who: have unclear speech, have sound errors, do not use enough words, have difficulty using sentences, have difficulty understanding what is said to them, and stutter.
Child Focused
Rachel wants the children she works with to enjoy their therapy sessions and be motivated to participate. Fun is planned for each session and Rachel has a large range of toys and games to engage children and create positive memories. Most of the children who see Rachel look forward to their next session. Rachel has experience working with children who are anxious, shy, energetic, behaviourally challenging, and compliant. In 2019 Rachel completed a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care through TAFE Digital to increase her wholistic understanding of families, children and the preschool system. Rachel occasionally works at a local preschool as an educator because she enjoys working with children.
Values Parents & Carers
Rachel views Parents/Carers as experts in their children. Parents/Carers are given time to talk about their child, are provided with information about their child’s communication skills and how it compares with typically developing children, are involved in establishing therapy goals, have intervention activities explained and modelled to them, receive training, and are provided with specific homework activities tailored to their child.
Connections to Relevant Services
Communication difficulties do not always occur in isolation and often referrals on to other professionals are beneficial. Rachel is familiar with Central Coast Local Health District services and can provide you with contact details to appropriate and free local health services (eg. Speech Pathology, Audiology, Child and Family Health Nurses, developmental assessments, Dental services, behavior support services, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Paediatrician).
Ethical Behaviour
Rachel is honest and values integrity. She will tell you if your child requires intervention, if your child’s skills are age-appropriate and they do not require intervention, or if they require intervention but are not showing signs of therapy readiness. Rachel has professional liability insurance and adheres to the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics. Rachel has current Working With Children clearance. Rachel adheres to accepted infection control and occupational health practices to reduce the spread of diseases and minimize harm to the children.
Timely Communication
Rachel is committed to promptly completing paperwork and responding to parent-initiated communication. Rachel completes reports within 2 weeks of assessments, and returns phone calls and emails within 1-2 days.
Convenience
Appointments are offered in the clinic room in Springfield, conveniently located between Erina and East Gosford. Dedicated parking for clients is provided and there is easy bathroom access.
Registered with Medicare and Private Health Funds
This allows Parents/Carers to claim rebates if eligible.
