When we think about communication, most of us immediately think of spoken words. But communication is so much more than verbal speech, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) plays a powerful role in helping children connect, express themselves, and participate in the world around them.

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins sits down with Speech Pathologist and Clinical Lead Jamie Cullen to unpack what AAC really is and why it’s not a “last resort,” but a practical, empowering tool for many children and families.

Jamie shares her journey into the world of AAC, how it’s shaped her speech pathology approach, and the ways AAC empowers children to advocate for themselves using the tools that best suit them. The conversation covers what AAC is, how speech pathologists support families to explore AAC through trial phases and parent training, and why using AAC alongside spoken communication can help children engage, connect, and participate more fully.

Lauren and Jamie also explore how AAC is used in different settings, how the right tools are matched to each child’s needs, and how the entire A Growing Understanding team integrates AAC into their everyday work with children and families.

Whether you're a parent, carer, educator, or professional, this episode is full of insight into how AAC can open doors to communication and connection - for every child.

What’s the difference between a new graduate and an experienced speech pathologist, and what does that actually mean for families seeking support?In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins chats with Speech Pathologist Paige Horton about her journey as a new graduate and the support she received through the Graduate and Grow program when she first started out. They explore why structured supervision, ongoing training, and meaningful career development are essential, not only for the growth of early career clinicians, but also for the families they support.Lauren and Paige also discuss how speech pathologists at all stages of their careers bring unique strengths to their work, and how cross-sector experience and a collaborative team culture lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.Whether you’re considering speech pathology as a profession or simply want to understand more about the people supporting your child’s development, this episode offers real insight into what makes a supportive and high-quality clinical environment.

What does it really mean to create an inclusive speech pathology service?

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins and Clinical Director Emma Hyde open up about what inclusive care looks like in action—and why it matters.You’ll hear how our team has worked alongside Pride in Health + Wellbeing to deepen our understanding, embed affirming practices, and become a Gold Tier service provider through the Equality Index.Lauren and Emma also share what it means to create safe spaces for all families, including those from LGBTQ+ communities, and how inclusion, advocacy, and respect are woven into everything we do.This is a conversation about Pride Month, about ongoing learning, and about why inclusive care makes for better outcomes for every child.

Speech pathologists often encounter misconceptions like “therapy is only for lisps or stutters,” “it won’t help with reading or writing,” “AAC devices prevent verbal speech,” or “they’ll grow out of it - just wait and see.”

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins and Speech Pathologist Paige Horton debunk these common myths and explore the true scope of speech and language support. You’ll hear how Paige’s journey into the profession shapes her inclusive, family-centred approach and learn why speech pathology covers much more than clarity, addressing language, literacy, social communication, and feeding.

Discover how AAC tools actually expand a child’s ability to communicate, why early intervention is so important, and simple strategies like modelling and recasting to reinforce learning at home. If you’ve ever wondered when and why to seek support, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

It’s a question we hear at every BBQ: “Should my child see a speech pathologist?” In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology podcast, Practice Director Lauren Haskins sits down with Clinical Lead and Speech Pathologist Holly Graham-Hayes to unpack exactly when and why you might reach out for support.

You’ll learn why trusting your parental instincts is often the best first step, and how adopting a “support and see” approach, rather than waiting to see if they 'grow out of it' can make all the difference. Holly and Lauren discuss the common signs that it’s time to connect with a speech pathologist, explain how family involvement in all settings fuels progress, and share practical tips for choosing a service that truly aligns with your family’s needs and values.

They also introduce two essential resources to guide your next move: Does My Child Need a Speech Pathologist? (Communication & Feeding Milestones) and How to Choose a Speech Pathology Service.

It’s been a while since we were behind the microphone, and while we’ve refreshed our format, our commitment to supporting families remains as strong as ever. In this first episode of the relaunched Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology podcast, Practice Director Lauren Haskins sits down with Clinical Director Emma Hyde to guide you through the very first steps of your speech pathology journey.Learn how we support families even before that first appointment through early assessment, hearing checks, and GP referrals, as well as how to navigate the choice between private and public services and make the most of funding options. Emma and Lauren also share practical home strategies like modelling and recasting to boost your child’s communication skills, plus introduce key resources: our Speech Pathology Funding Guide and How to Choose a Speech Pathology Service guide.Whether you’re preparing for your child’s initial consultation or looking for ways to get started with speech therapy right away, this episode sets the foundation for confident, effective support. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on all future episodes!

Did you know that speech pathologists can help children develop social skills? Many of us may take for granted that innate understanding of how to interact with others appropriately. But for some children, understanding conversational cues, facial expressions and pragmatics does not come as naturally.

Jo Nelson, an experienced Speech Pathologist, shares her thoughts and tips on how we can help children forge connections with others and adapt social thinking.

Jo and Lauren also discuss how we can embrace a child’s strengths and interests to help them develop their understanding of the world and encourage them to interact with others without changing who they are.

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Have you ever considered alternative ways to support the unique needs of your family? Michelle Ebbin understands all too well the search for that ‘perfect solution’ when it comes to supporting children with special needs.

In this podcast episode, Michelle shares her journey as a mum of children with additional needs, including Jett who was diagnosed with Autism at a young age, and how she created a product that was, in-fact, ‘Jett-proof’.

Michelle is a big believer in finding the support you need to get through the day – no matter what your day may look like, and offers advice on how families can embrace their differences and create a village of people who understand and support your choices.

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Have you ever considered the support of a psychologist when it comes to your child’s growth and development? For many parents, a psychologist maybe someone that is only considered if there is a specific problem or concern. But as Dr Rickie Elliot explains in this conversation, psychologists can play an important role in your child’s development, particularly when it comes to understanding their emotions.

With what Rickie describes as a cultural and generational shift related to seeking mental health support; many families are becoming more aware of when to seek assistance, particularly related to anxiety, and how therapy can be beneficial in supporting both children and parents.

Lauren and Rickie also discuss the important role of language when it comes to connecting with others and laying the groundwork to help children build awareness of how they are feeling and how to appropriately express these feelings.

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If you have a toddler in the house, chances are you know how tricky toilet training can be. But did you know that speech pathologists can help with this important milestone?

Melissa Roberts is a Speech Pathologist and after experiencing her own battle in the bathroom, wrote a book to help parents understand tricky topics like stool withholding and the fears children may experience when it comes to toileting.

In this podcast episode Melissa shares her tips on how to tackle toilet training, and how you can use language and visual prompts to help your child overcome fears associated with toileting.

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Alison Perry is a speech pathologist, and like many speech pathologists, she understands that helping children

develop their literacy skills is paramount to their future success.

As a trainer for the Sounds-Write Phonics Program, Alison shares her ideas on how we as parents and educators can

develop our understanding of how to teach children phonics successfully and help them build an ability to read and

spell.

With young children of her own, Alison is fond of shared story time and provides some tips in this discussion to help

you make this time with your child an enjoyable learning experience.

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Assistance dogs are making a big difference in the lives of many people, including Maree Bendeich, who shares her

experience with training an assistance dog for her daughter in this podcast episode.

Maree’s daughter was diagnosed with Autism and Generalised Anxiety Disorder at a young age. Maree believed that

an assistance dog would be a great way to help her daughter build confidence and even give her a reason to speak

and interact with others around her. When Atlas, an adorable Autism Assistance Dog in the making, became part of

the family, Maree knew she made the right decision.

The process for training an assistance dog can be challenging and costly, but Maree believes the benefits and

rewards far outweigh any of this. As a lover of dogs, Maree talks about the benefits of animal assisted therapy and

how you can start your journey with an assistance dog.

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Have you ever considered your experiences growing up and how much of this you may pass onto your children? As

parents, we often look to our own experiences to guide what we do and hopefully teach our children about culture,

heritage, and the lessons we have learnt.

Cherie Johnson, owner and operator of Speaking in Colour, believes that communication across the generations is

the key to effect change in our society. In this podcast episode, she shares her own experiences of growing up as an

Indigenous Australian and how we can start conversations with our children about culture and heritage.

As an educator and artist, Cherie also shares her thoughts on diversifying our exposure and broadening the media

we consume to build a better understanding of others and connect with our culture.

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Have you ever noticed that there is quite a bit of negativity surrounding parenting? This is particularly the case for

those with children who have a diagnosis. Many parents will find themselves embracing the negatives just to get the

support their family needs.

Kirsty Russell, positive and inclusive parenting advocate, challenges us in this episode to flip the negative parenting

idea on its head and start using the power of positivity to become confident parents and improve the family

experience.

Working with Allied Health professionals, Kirsty has discovered that positive conversations surrounding a family’s

circumstance can impact the way they approach parenting. Using this experience, she provides an insight into how

we can use empathy to tackle difficult conversations and help parents be the best versions of themselves.

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Lauren Haskins - Podcast Host, Speech Pathologist and Practice Director of A Growing Understanding Speech

Pathology

Every child is unique and will develop at their own pace. But as a parent, noticing differences between siblings and

peers can often cause you to worry about your child’s development, particularly when it comes to language and

communication skills.

Lauren Haskins, Director of A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology and Podcast Host, talks about the difference

between late talker and speech delay, and when you should see a speech pathologist.

Offering an insight into what to look out for when it comes to your child’s speech and language development, Lauren

provides information on the speech pathology process and how parents can access the support they may need.

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As adults, we understand the importance of training, preparation, and perseverance when it comes achieving our

goals. But how do we pass these important life skills onto our children?

Tony Wilson has found a way to impart these messages in his children’s books, namely The Cow Tripped Over the

Moon. In this podcast episode, he shares his idea of taking a popular nursery rhyme and asking; “What happened

before the cow jumped over the moon?” This helped him develop a story that looks at the importance of working

hard and building up to whatever it is we want to achieve.

With a love of books and rhyming words, Tony shares his thoughts on the important role books play when it comes

to teaching children valuable concepts and literacy skills and offers his tips on how to keep up with shared story time

in a busy household.

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Speech Pathologists love books, so it seems fitting to culminate this series of discussions with one that focuses on the beauty of books and how stories can connect us and shape our perceptions of the world.

Deborah Kelly writes stories for kids of all ages and shares her thoughts on how books can help you feel less alone and encourage children to imagine and follow their dreams. 

Her book “The Thing About Oliver” is a perfect example of how we can use stories to recognise all the components of a family, how we all might be feeling, and even the different ways love presents and guides us.  

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If your child has recently been diagnosed with hearing challenges, you may be wondering what sort of support is available and are looking to understand nonverbal and alternative communication. This could all seem very daunting, but as Kimberly Lewis shares in this conversation, communication for all is possible. Kimberly was born deaf in her right ear and during her teen years was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, a disorder that affects the inner ear. Using her own experiences, she discusses how families can access services to support their communication journey. Kimberly also explains the difference between Key Word Sign and Auslan, and provides an insight into how early intervention services can provide children with the confidence and encouragement they require to grow.

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Have you ever wanted additional support to help you juggle all the balls that come with family life, career, and everything else in between? In our busy world, it really can take a village to raise children. But what do you do if you don’t have that village or support network close by? In this discussion, Irene Becker from 99aupairs suggests a different approach and encourages families to step outside the ‘norm’ when it comes to the support you may require when raising children and consider outsourcing. She also offers an insight into how Au Pairs can support your idea of ‘balance’ and ensure you can ‘juggle’ all the important things in your life.

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As a parent to four children, Asher from The Family Psychology Clinic understands that parenting can be a tough gig. We aren’t given manuals to navigate our parenting journeys, and even if we were, we would need a different manual for each child. So how can we shape our family life and understand the needs of each of our children? In this discussion, Asher encourages you to ask the question: “What do you want family life to look like?” It is through this question that you will be able to break out of the pattern of ‘reactive’ parenting and start to connect with your children and build a family life that is enjoyable. Asher and Lauren also offer an insight into how Psychologists and Speech Pathologists work together to support children and help them develop essential skills.

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