LITERACY - READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Sometimes when children start school and begin to learn to read, write and tell their own stories it becomes clear that they require extra support. Speech Pathologists work with children to identify areas of difficulty and provide intervention. Sometimes children with delayed speech or language skills will also go on to experience difficulties with learning to read and spell. Using all research informed / evidence-based methods, we can support your child to solidify the foundational skills needed to progress and keep up at school. For children with more significant difficulties, we work with other professionals to ensure your child is fully supported at school. Every child deserves to reach their potential. 

Before training as a Speech Pathologist, Claire qualified and worked as a High School Teacher, often supporting children with significantly delayed literacy skills as well as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse children for whom English is a Second or Additional Language. 

Some children in upper primary and even high school continue to experience difficulties keeping up with the reading and writing demands of the curriculum. Speech Pathologists work as part of a team to identify and support people with significant reading and spelling difficulties, like in Dyslexia.  

Speech Pathologists also work with adults with literacy difficulties. Whether the goal is to figure out suitable compensations for not being able to read and spell easily or to learn these skills from scratch, Claire can support you. 

Unfortunately in Australia, there is an adult literacy crisis, with up to 44% of the adult population with literacy skills at level 1-2.  This means that basic day to day reading and writing is hard. https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4228.0main+features992011-2012.

Poor literacy skills in adulthood comes with huge social stigma and increased rates of social isolation, unemployment and mental health problems. 

Adults with literacy struggles can contact the Reading and Writing Hotline on 1300 655 506 . https://www.readingwritinghotline.edu.au/declaration-statement-in-support-of-literacy-and-numeracy-for-all-adult-australians/ or reach out to Claire for a confidential chat about your options, including Speech Pathology support. 

Claire combines her skills and knowledge as a Teacher and Speech Pathologist to design engaging and effective literacy support interventions. Using science-backed approaches, Claire confidently steps you through the process of learning to read and spell. Claire creates fun, energising sessions for very young learners and those who find literacy work, well... a bit dry!