At Speak 2 Me, therapy is about more than learning how to use a communication system. It is about helping each person communicate, participate and connect with others in the places that form part of their everyday life.
Speak 2 Me provides individual therapy and group training focused on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Support is personalised according to the individual’s communication needs, abilities, environments and goals.
Individual AAC Therapy
Every person communicates differently. Individual therapy begins by getting to know the person, how they currently communicate and where communication difficulties are affecting their daily life.
AAC may include communication boards, symbols, gestures, written communication, speech-generating devices, tablets or other supportive methods. The aim is to find a practical communication approach that works for the individual—not simply during therapy sessions, but throughout their day.
Therapy may focus on helping the individual to:
- Express choices, needs, thoughts and feelings
- Initiate and take part in conversations
- Build confidence using an AAC system
- Participate more fully at home, school, work or in the community
- Develop communication skills for social and everyday situations
- Help others recognise and respond to their communication attempts
- Use their communication system more consistently and independently
Therapy That Includes the Whole Support Team
Communication never happens in isolation. The success of an AAC system depends on the people surrounding the individual understanding how it works and creating opportunities for it to be used.
For this reason, therapy may include family members, carers, teachers, therapists and other important people in the individual’s life. Sonja helps the support team understand how the person communicates, how to respond meaningfully and how to encourage communication without creating unnecessary pressure.
This collaborative approach helps communication become part of natural routines rather than something practised only during a formal therapy session.
Support in Everyday Environments
Once an appropriate communication system and routine have been established, therapy can be extended into the environments where the individual spends their time.
With the individual and family’s guidance, Sonja may provide support in settings such as:
- The family home
- School or educational environments
- Sports and recreational activities
- Community spaces
- Social groups
- Other relevant everyday environments
For example, if the individual spends a significant amount of time at school, Speak 2 Me can work with teachers and support staff to help them understand and use the communication system. This may include identifying classroom communication opportunities, improving participation and helping staff respond more confidently.
If the individual participates in sport or other activities, support can be provided to coaches, trainers and peers. The goal is to make communication more accessible and help the individual participate as fully as possible.
Family, Carer and Educator Guidance
Families and support teams often have questions about how to encourage AAC use naturally. Speak 2 Me provides practical guidance that can be incorporated into daily routines, play, learning, mealtimes, outings and social interactions.
This may include:
- Demonstrating how to model communication
- Helping communication partners pause and allow enough response time
- Identifying opportunities for meaningful choices and interaction
- Supporting consistent AAC use across different environments
- Helping families and educators understand communication behaviour
- Adapting strategies as the individual’s needs develop
The purpose is not to make every interaction feel like therapy. It is to create an environment in which communication is recognised, respected and encouraged.
Group AAC Training
Speak 2 Me also offers customised AAC training for groups. Training can be arranged for families, carers, educators, support staff, community organisations or other groups wanting to improve their understanding of AAC.
Each session is adapted to the group’s needs, level of experience and working environment. Training may cover general AAC awareness, communication partner strategies, practical AAC use or a specific challenge experienced by the group.
Group training can help participants:
- Understand what AAC is and who may benefit from it
- Communicate more effectively with AAC users
- Recognise different forms of communication
- Create more inclusive environments
- Build confidence when supporting someone who uses AAC
- Apply practical communication strategies in everyday situations
A Practical, Person-Centred Approach
Speak 2 Me’s approach is built around the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all programme. Therapy is shaped by what matters to the person: their relationships, routines, interests, environments and goals.
The ultimate aim is meaningful communication—helping individuals be heard, understood and included in the moments and relationships that make up their lives.