Judy Lockhart

I am a speech pathologist who enjoys working with babies, children and young people, and their families to support them with their communication. 

My work can include assessment and participation in diagnosis to build an understanding of the child's communication profile. This can include identifying their preferred ways to communicate, their unique pattern of strengths and weakness in speech and language skills, and how best to support them in learning communication skills. Therapy and support can include parent consultation and training, liaison with schools, and individualised therapy using the goals of the child and family. 

My work experience has included time in Australia, United Kingdom, and United States of America as a speech pathologist. With experience in working in education (private and government schools), health (early childhood, inpatient, outpatient), mental health services, and in private practice (NDIS, Medicare). This broad range of experiences has given me an understanding of communication from birth to young adulthood. 

My preference is to focus on communication confidence and competence using the preferred communication style and goals of each young person and their family. I support neuroaffirming principles in my work and follow a young person's lead. This has allowed me to learn many new and exciting things in my time as a speech pathologist. For example, in the past I have helped a child to achieve their goals to read a book, to complete an assignment at school, to have a conversation with a friend, to master a job interview, and many of the other activities in life that require speaking, listening, reading, or writing. 

I am a Hanen qualified therapist (It Takes Two To Talk, Learning  Language and Loving It, Teacher Talk, You Make the Difference, Talkability, Target Word, and More than Words [http://www.hanen.org]) . I have attended training in the following Circle of Security, DIR Floortime, SCERTS, Autism LevelUP!, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Non-directive play therapy, Training Parents as Partners, Socially Thinking and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 

Outside of work, I spend my time with my family and my two quirky cats. Finding new adventures in a book or travelling are also lovely ways to pass the time!