Local speech pathology service, A Growing Understanding, is expanding into Newcastle as part of their ongoing plan to support families across the region.
The business recently signed a lease for space within the new Cooks Hill Medical Hub and are keen to work with Newcastle families to develop essential communication skills and build confidence.
Lauren Haskins, Practice Director of A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, believes Newcastle is its next best move when it comes to ensuring families have access to quality speech pathology services.
“We believe that communication access is vital in ensuring everyone can participate in social, educational and community activities. Our Newcastle clinic will help us to continue to provide quality services to support children with communication difficulties,” Lauren said.
“Our team of experienced speech pathologists will join other Allied Health providers in this new medical hub and are thrilled at the prospect of working with Newcastle families to break down communication barriers, build life-long skills and grow confidence.”
As the name suggests, A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology provides services that are centred around growing the confidence and understanding of both children and those who care for and support them.
With a keen focus on helping children grow to their full potential, Lauren has always believed that speech pathology services should be as unique as each child.
Just like a tree requires the right kind of support and nurturing to grow and bloom as it should; a child requires tailored services that respond to their needs, interests and challenges, and helps them grow to their full potential.
“I often like to compare our service offering to that of nurturing a tree. Every type of tree is different and how much they grow depends on the amount and type of nurturing they receive,” Lauren explained.
“Our role is not to grow a small tree to larger than what it should be or into a different type of tree. Our role is to help it grow into the best version of itself.”
It is this belief that drove Lauren to establish her first speech pathology practice where emphasis has always been placed on education, engagement and empowerment to ensure children learn life-long communication skills and build confidence at their own pace.
When the Lake Macquarie practice opened in 2016, Lauren was the sole clinician with minimal appointments each week.
In just three years the practice has grown significantly, offering eight clinicians and support staff who now work out of three locations; Gateshead, Williamtown and Cooks Hill.
The A Growing Understanding team are certified and committed to providing professional speech pathology assessments, interventions and therapy for children and families throughout the Hunter.
As a registered provider with Medicare, private health funds and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), A Growing Understanding can support children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), children who are not yet talking, as well as stuttering, speech sound difficulties and feeding difficulties.
“My team and I are honoured to work with children in aiding their ability to communicate, so they, regardless of their challenges, can participate in real-world activities and grow. We can’t wait to offer this same sort of support and access to the families we meet in Newcastle,” Lauren said.
The Newcastle clinic is set to open their doors on Monday 11 November 2019.
IMAGE | A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology team
