In honour of Speech Pathology Week at the end of August, we’ve spotlighted one of the speech therapists who uses the Theratrak platform.
Kyleigh Garden started Garden Speech Therapy after studying in South Africa and transferring her qualifications to Australia.
Through her answers, Kyleigh shows how she’s a dedicated and passionate therapist supporting kids with disabilities, and using Theratrak to extend the reach of therapy.
Read more about Kyleigh and her experience as a speech pathologist:
Why did you want to become a speech pathologist?
I used to stutter when I was younger - I adored my speech therapist and I felt like going to see her was the best part of my week. I wanted to share the same joy with children.
Can you tell us a bit more about your speech pathologist journey?
I was born and raised in South Africa.
I was always a part of community work during my school years and I was driven to make a change when I volunteered in the orphanages, schools and local villages. My heart (cliche I know) took me to study a dual degree in speech pathology and audiology.
The year I graduated we were bound to do a year of community service. I was placed in a tiny little rural hospital (2 hours from home) and I was instructed to start the first speech pathology and audiology clinic in the area. Cue all the stress and tears, however it is one of my greatest accomplishments, and I look back at that time in awe (and let's be real - shock).
I worked with all ages and cultural backgrounds and have a million stories to tell, but my life changed in 2013. I had the opportunity to immigrate to Australia. I focused on converting my speech degree to Australian competency and followed my heart on a journey to support children and adults with a disability. Augmentative and Alternative Communication is my passion!
What’s your mission with your work?
Everyone has a right to communicate and can communicate in their own way.
I don't believe that there isn't a person in this world who cannot communicate.
What do you love about your job?
For me, It's all about changing family's lives.
It's all about those big moments for me... sometimes, they can be few and far between, but the light in a mum's/dad's/brother's/sister's eye will always be there if you listen to what will help make a change.
What’s the hardest thing about being a speech pathologist?
Probably a boring answer, but there's A LOT of paperwork.
Can you share a recent success with us?
A little boy I work with has Cerebral Palsy. We advocated for this little boy to receive an eye gaze device and it was approved. We set it up. AND then, after one session this little boy told his Mum he loved her. Tears all around.
What other tech tools have helped support you in your work?
I love all techy things: speech generating devices, switches, apps, online subscriptions, and little things I stumble across (special thanks to the Aldi magnifying glass with light).
I'm always up for a chat to find ways to modify toys and I love to find little treasures that will help children access their full potential.
What are some of the most common home exercises you prescribe in home programs and via Theratrak?
How to engage with a speech generating device
Key Word Signs
How to help your child begin to recognise symbols for symbolic communication
What do you think the future of speech pathology will be like?
Hopefully (and especially in my case), the future speech pathology will have some extra tech support/knowledge that can be taught during our studies.
I would love to coax some more speechies to join me on the ride to support children and adults with a disability, and show them that tech isn't scary.
I also recognise that tech is ever changing and you're never too old to learn.
What do you love about Theratrak and why should other speech therapists use it in their practice?
I scoured the internet looking for an app that was affordable that I could use to keep in touch with my clients/families.
Because I am a mobile therapist, I sometimes see children at kindergarten/school or with a carer, so I needed an app that could feedback my sessions (video preferably) and include next steps/carryover for skills taught during the session.
Enter Theratrak.
I know that other speech therapists will love Theratrak as it’s so easy and quick to use from your iPhone/iPad. I have some general preloaded activities which I send on, but other times I log on during my session and create carry over and feedback sessions then and there.
It’s a good summary for parents/carers/therapy aids/grandparents (the list goes on) of what we have achieved and what to work on next - we’re all on the same page.
This app has given me back the time needed to create feedback and next steps. It’s a tool every speechie should have in their pocket.
