Our Services
At Raina Griffin Speech Pathology, therapy is tailored to each child's unique strengths, communication style, and goals. Below you'll find the areas we support. If you're unsure whether your child may benefit, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Speech Sounds
Speech sound development relates to how children produce and organise sounds within words. Difficulties may include articulation challenges (how sounds are physically made), phonological patterns (sound rule errors), or motor planning difficulties such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
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Speech that is difficult for others to understand
Sounds appearing unclear, slushy, or "mumbled"
Swapping sounds in words (e.g. "tat" for "cat")
Producing sounds differently to peers of the same age
Difficulty saying longer or more complex words
Frustration when trying to communicate
Being understood more easily by familiar people than unfamiliar listeners
Expressive Language
Expressive language refers to how children communicate their thoughts, ideas, and needs using words, sentences, gestures, and storytelling. This includes vocabulary development, grammar, sentence structure, and conversational skills.
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Using fewer words than expected for their age
Difficulty combining words into sentences
Short or simplified sentences
Challenges using grammar correctly
Difficulty explaining ideas or retelling events
Struggling to find the right words
Difficulty participating in conversations with others
Becoming frustrated when trying to express themselves
Receptive Language
Receptive language involves understanding spoken language, instructions, questions, and stories. Children with receptive language difficulties may find it harder to process and interpret what they hear.
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Difficulty following instructions
Frequently misunderstanding questions
Needing repetition or extra support to understand language
Challenges understanding stories or classroom discussions
Difficulty answering "wh" questions (who, what, where, why)
Appearing distracted or disengaged during verbal tasks
Becoming overwhelmed in busy listening environments
Stuttering & Fluency
Stuttering is a difference in the smooth flow of speech. Children who stutter may experience interruptions when speaking, which can vary depending on the situation, environment, or communication demands.
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Repeating sounds, words, or phrases
Stretching out sounds when speaking
Getting "stuck" on words or sounds
Tension or visible effort during speech
Avoiding certain words or speaking situations
Frustration, embarrassment, or reduced confidence when communicating
Early Communication
Early communication support focuses on helping young children build foundational interaction and communication skills through play, connection, and responsive interactions.
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Limited use of words, gestures, or pointing
Reduced response to their name
Difficulty engaging in back-and-forth interaction
Limited imitation or pretend play skills
Frustration when trying to communicate wants or needs
Difficulty engaging with peers or adults during play
Delays in developing early language milestones
Literacy & Phonological Awareness
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognise and work with the sounds within words. These foundational skills support the development of reading, spelling, and early literacy. This includes skills such as recognising rhyme, identifying beginning and ending sounds, blending sounds together, and breaking words into syllables.
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Difficulty recognising or producing rhyming words
Challenges identifying sounds at the beginning or end of words
Confusing similar sounding words or sounds
Difficulty sounding out or blending words when reading
Guessing words rather than decoding them
Trouble breaking words into syllables or individual sounds
Challenges with early spelling and writing tasks
Avoiding reading or becoming frustrated during literacy activities
Social Communication & Interaction
Social communication is the way we connect, interact, share ideas, and build relationships with others. Every child has their own unique communication style, interests, sensory preferences, and ways of engaging with the world. Therapy focuses on supporting authentic communication, confidence, self-advocacy, and meaningful connection while respecting and valuing neurodivergent communication styles.
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Find conversations or group interactions overwhelming or unpredictable
Prefer different styles of communication or interaction
Experience challenges understanding hidden social rules or expectations
Find it difficult to interpret body language, humour, tone, or figurative language
Benefit from support with conversational turn-taking or topic flexibility
Feel more comfortable engaging through interests, scripting, visuals, or movement
Experience social anxiety, shutdown, or fatigue in some situations
Find it difficult to build or maintain peer connections in certain environments
Prefer solitary play at times or need support navigating friendships and group play
Feel unsure in new, busy, or socially demanding environments
Augmentative & Alternative Communication
AAC includes a range of tools and strategies that support communication. AAC can be used alongside spoken language or as a child's primary communication method. The goal of AAC is to support meaningful, functional communication in a way that feels accessible and empowering for each child. AAC support is always individualised and may involve low-tech or high-tech communication systems depending on your child's strengths and needs.
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Visual communication boards
Key word sign and gesture
Core vocabulary systems
Speech-generating devices
AAC apps on tablets or iPads
Parent and educator support to encourage AAC use across environments