Affirm Speech, Language and Learning

09/12/2025

Well, what a year it has been.
There have been so many changes for my family and my services this year.
I know many of you have been needing to look at your options for getting what you need. I very much respect this and very often have felt that prioritising my health, and the needs of my family has impacted the people I love working with.
In big news, I have moved to Wodonga now. I currently don't have a dedicated clinic space from which to work, but will be considering my options after I have some time for rest, recovery and recouperation to settle into my new 'normal'.
I will be working on rebuilding my energy levels, and work-life balance over the course of 2026. I hope that you all find precisely the services you need, and if that includes something from Affirm Speech, that is an honour. It's very much a priority for you to do what is best for you and your family, as I have had to do. Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and new year season.
I will get back to people as soon as I can if you are still seeking to be engaged in services for 2026. Thankyou for your patience as I navigage my own burnout and changes, and don't feel you need to 'wait' for me, proceed as you need to for you/your child.
Season's greetings! Beck- Affirm Speech

24/08/2025

Good morning everyone. To my existing clients please do reach out if you’d like a session. My capacity and availability is limited but my private practice is still operating on Mondays regularly and on by special appointments only on Fridays (need to get in touch with me to discuss as only working some Fridays now. Occasional appointments available Wednesday and Thursday mornings between 8:30-10:30. Hopefully something there will suit your needs. As the transition to a more permanent clinic location evolves I will provide further updates. There is scope for new clients requiring assessments only in school holidays or occasional Saturday sessions by special arrangement with me. Many thanks. Beck.

21/08/2025

Just a post to say…I’m still here! My hours have reduced at the moment because I am in the process of prepping my house (and therefore my clinic location) to be put on the market to sell. As you can imagine this is a huge undertaking, particularly while continuing to work and be a mum. I am still planning to remain in the Albury/Wodonga area though and have been working with clients who have continued their appointments with me. There have been changes to NDIS travel charges and so I am no longer doing school or home visits on a regular basis- but on an ‘as needed’ occasional basis. I have an online booking system which can be used by existing clients to schedule a session. If nothing can be found and you need a spot, reach out and I can see what I can do. I’ll create another post soon which will show my current days/availability. I apologise for any inconvenience of this temporary disruption in service, which is likely to impact the remainder of this year. Thankyou for your patience and understanding.

26/05/2025

This is an important article.... and yes, while headphones are great, and sometimes necessary, when there are mixed sensory needs within an environment, they do signal that the environment as it stands, is not suitable for someone in it. There needs to be compromise, and understanding, but it shouldn't be that the person with the sensory difference is always the one to do the compromising, e.g. there may be times when that person wears the headphones, and other times when everyone else adjusts their sounds/noise/environmental stimuli to accomodate their needs. I see this often in my own family, I am one who is highly sensitive to chewing sounds, and packages crinkling, and the little 'ching' of cuttlery on plates, or lots of overlapping talking in one place, such as a mealtable or staffroom, so.... I will wear my headphones, at the table, or I will eat somewhere else. Or go to the staffroom, not to eat but to socialise for a time, and then when I have interacted as I have needed to, will move on. At home, at the dining table, if I am sitting, not eating, but someone needs to sit there at eat their crunchy cornflakes, I will get up and walk away, because the purpose of that space if to eat.... so I can accomodate my own needs..... it's a balance, and it's about being considerate of each other. It's just people can't accomodate you if they don't know.... so make room for varied views of how someone experiences environments, and no two neurodivergent folk are the same.... just as no two neurotypical people are the same.... but there are common and frequently occurring patterns in each. So if you can identify that someone may be neurodivergent, you don't need to ask them if they are... but it's a nice human thing to do, to ensure the comfort of others... let's just broaden our scope of what 'checking on someone's comfort' looks like.... not just the nuanced 'hospitality' that is much more neuronormative in nature.

21/03/2025

13/03/2025

Next week is not only Cultural Diversity Week but is also Neurodiversity Celebration Week!

02/02/2025

Today is a prepare, plan and report day for me. January is over, people are merging back into their routines, getting themselves mentally and physically prepared for getting back to see their peers, work mates and aqcuaintaces. It's sometimes hard to get back up and going again after a break, but I am really looking forward to see what this year holds for my partcipants and those I support in my new role as a School Speech Patholgist, 2 days a week.
I will still be working in my private practice the other 3 days, and am in the process of planning out things and booking in appointments, so if you are one of those waiting for this.... think about what you would like to focus on this this term (short term) and over the year (long term).

27/01/2025

I love seeing genuine neuroaffirming supports for kids in our local area.

For parents of children with disabilities, finding a physio who is gentle, neuro-affirming, a great listener, and takes the time to really understand their child’s needs is like finding the Holy Grail!! ✨

That’s exactly what Jayde from Tots2Teens Physiotherapy offers.

With years of experience in private practice and early intervention models, Jayde has combined her expertise to create a clinic in the heart of Albury CBD providing gentle, family centred care.

Specialising in supporting children aged 0–18 and adults with disabilities, Jayde works across Albury, Wodonga, and Wangaratta.

Whether it’s in the clinic, at home, in the community, or hydrotherapy, she meets kids where they are; both literally and emotionally.

Her neuro-affirming approach focuses on creating tailored care plans that empower families and help children achieve their goals at their own pace.

By offering longer appointments, Jayde ensures she can truly listen, build trust, and provide the safe, supportive environment your child deserves.

🤩 One recent win? Jayde was particularly beaming when she told me about a toddler with turned-in feet who started walking confidently after just one week on their treatment plan! 🤩

Jayde is excited this year to introduce a basketball club and bike riding club for kids aged 5–9 to help them build skills, confidence, and friendships. Plus, a larger clinic space is on the way this year!

💙 AW&S, please show your support by liking, sharing, and helping us spread the word about this important service in our community!

Let’s make sure families who need this care know it’s here for them.

📍 Shop 18, City Walk Arcade, Albury CBD - I’ll pop the link in the comments.

23/01/2025

Image description: Grey/purple background.

Banner reads flexible thinking. Subtitle reads: adapting or responding to change by revising thoughts or plans. List on left reads dysfunction = difficulty adjusting plan when there is an unexpected change, inability to shift attention when needed, poor problem solving. Thought bubbles read: practice imagining fully accepting the situation and what the outcome would be and talk through the situation with someone for another perspective.

Credit:

13/01/2025

Grab yourself some amazing resources, or download and send on to your teacher's child, supports/therapists.

💛 We absolutely love AuDHD Speech Pathologist Emily Hammond of NeuroWild 's amazing FREE neuro-affirming education resources on the Teachers Pay Teachers website, which consistently get ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings. With the start of the school year fast approaching, we recommend checking them out, as well as her affordable and valuable paid resources.

Neurowild's free resources include:
🔶 Neurodiversity-Affirming IEP Accommodations for Autistic and ADHD Students
🔶 Helping Neurodivergent Students Find Success in the Classroom
🔶 Regulation and Executive Function Handout
🔶 Check in for Neurodivergent Wellbeing
🔶 Self Advocacy Support
🔶 And many more ...

🔗 Go to: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/emily-hammond-neurowild/free for the full list.



[ID: Against a green background with the Reframing Autism logo in the top left and knotwork detail in the bottom right, white text reads: 'Community Spotlight. Highlighting others' work in our community. This week: NeuroWild's Free Resources for Neurodivergent Students'. Beneath is a screenshot of one of her free resources, titled 'Helping Neurodivergent Students Find Success in the Classroom' which gets a 4.9 star rating.]

24/12/2024

It's been a really busy year. Thankyou to everyone who has supported my business this year, and been a part of this journey.
I look forward to continuing to work with many of you again in 2025. I have some availability in the week of the 6th to 10th January if anyone requires support. Affirm Speech will be closed again from the 11th- 19th January. Merry Christmas and happy and safe new year to you all.