Speech therapy opens many doors
By KRISTINA RAPLEY - East And Bays Courier
LET'S TALK: Four-year-old Jack Cutler and his speech therapist Libby Tapley from Therapy for Children in Bucklands Beach.
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Blowing bubbles might look like just a bit of fun, but it can be a sign of a speech language therapist hard at work.
Parents concerned about their child’s speech and language and not sure what’s normal at their age, can go along to Therapy for Children’s open day next Friday.
The Bucklands Beach practice is holding the day for parents as part of New Zealand Speech Therapy Association’s Awareness Day.
Speech language therapy department head Libby Tapley says the free open day can give some support to parents concerned about the speech development of their child.
The day will include a one-hour presentation on early speech and language development, a question and answer session with speech therapists, and games, ideas and activities parents can try at home.
"Sometimes I feel that people think therapists are going to charge them lots of money and not do too much," says Mrs Tapley.
"But the open day is a chance to say here we are, this is what we do, and we are approachable and friendly, and we want the best for the children. We are all in this job because we love working with children and making a difference."
Marie Cutler and her four-year-old son Jack have been going to speech therapy for two years and Mrs Cutler says it has helped him immensely.
Jack went on the public system waiting list but he faced a two-year wait.
"His language and sounds were not right for his age, and when he talked he made no sense, which isolated him from others because he couldn’t communicate properly, and it made his behaviour quite bad," the Howick resident says.
Mrs Cutler says since receiving therapy, Jack’s behaviour has completely changed and he can communicate better and learn more because he is able to ask questions.
To book a place at the open day, phone 535-1690 or email t4c@ihug.co.nz. The set time slots are at 9.30am, 11am and 1.30pm at Therapy for Children, 11 Casuarina Rd, Bucklands Beach.
