What happens when you take therapy out of the clinic and into the paddock?

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins is joined by Nadine Delaney from Hunter Valley Children’s Therapy to explore how creative, collaborative programs are opening up new ways to support communication, connection, and self-expression - outdoors and in nature.

Lauren and Nadine share the story behind our new group program, Trail Talk: An Equine Experience, and how it brings together the expertise of both teams to create a neurodiversity-affirming space where young people can connect with animals, learn through experience, and practise communication skills in organic, real-world ways.

Nadine reflects on her own journey into Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and how working alongside horses in a natural setting offers participants unique opportunities to connect with themselves, with others, and with the animals around them.

The conversation also touches on how understanding the communication style of horses can help young people better understand their own, and how partnerships like this one allow professionals to learn from each other while extending the impact of therapy beyond the walls of a clinic.

If you're curious about how nature-based, strengths-focused group programs can support meaningful growth for young people, this episode is one to tune into.

What do dice rolls, fantasy characters, and magical quests have to do with speech pathology? A lot more than you might think.

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins is joined by Speech Pathologist Zoe McCauley and Dungeon Master Hayden Moore to explore how Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is being used to help tweens and teens develop social communication skills in a creative, safe, and fun setting.

Together, they unpack the thinking behind AGU’s new interest-based group program, designed for young people who love imaginative play, storytelling, or gaming, and who might benefit from support with flexible thinking, collaboration, and self-expression.

More than just a tabletop game, D&D creates space for character development, problem-solving, teamwork, and real-world communication practice through the DOTS model: Desire, Obstacle, Tactics, and “So, what happens now?” Zoe and Hayden share how the program supports diverse needs and personalities, offering structure and flexibility in equal measure.

Whether a participant is diving deep into a character or just quietly observing, the goal is a sense of achievement, belonging, and connection. And yes, there’s a little courage involved in stepping into something new, but the reward can be a truly magical experience.

If your young person is curious about the program, or if you’re wondering how fantasy storytelling can support real-life growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Communication is about so much more than words. From gestures and facial expressions to tone, timing, and connection - it’s how we relate to each other, especially in the early years of a child’s development.

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 explore the many ways communication shows up in our lives and how understanding different communication styles can help families better support their child’s development.

Lauren and Jamie discuss how each person’s communication style is shaped by preferences, environments, and emotional states, and how being aware of your own communication style can help you connect more meaningfully with your child.

They talk about the value of flexibility, the impact of fluctuating communication capacity in different situations, and why it’s important to create space for families to explore how they communicate as individuals and as a unit.

This conversation is a reminder that communication is dynamic and deeply personal. Whether it’s shaped by sensory input, emotions, energy, language skills, or who we’re speaking to, our communication style matters. And parents are often the ones who know their child’s communication best.

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.

There’s a reason speech pathologists talk so much about play. It’s not just fun, it’s foundational.

In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins sits down with Speech Pathologist Marlowe Patch to explore the powerful role play has in helping children develop communication skills. From building relationships to working toward individual therapy goals, play is often where the magic happens.

Lauren and Marlowe unpack how play-based activities are used in speech therapy sessions to build trust, increase engagement, and help children practise new skills in a way that feels natural and joyful. They talk about the importance of incorporating each child’s interests, the connection between enjoyment and progress, and the idea of “connection before correction” when supporting early communication.

This episode also explores how speech therapy creates safe, family-led spaces where children feel confident to learn and grow, and how using games and everyday routines can be a powerful way for families to support therapy goals at home.

Marlowe shares practical examples of play-based strategies families can try, and how speech pathologists tailor sessions to a child’s strengths, interests, and relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered why play is such a big part of speech therapy, or how to support your child’s communication in a fun, connected way at home, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

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.

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.

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.