Meet Emma Lorenzin
Emma Lorenzin, paediatric speech pathologist and expert in early intervention.
Box Hill Speech Pathology is a trusted name in speech therapy in Melbourne. We’re pleased to announce that we now offer the services of Emma Lorenzin, a paediatric speech pathologist with a keen interest in preschool aged child development.
Emma understands that it’s a huge challenge for families, educators and health professionals to decide whether a child who shows signs of delayed development is just hitting milestones at their own pace, or whether specialist intervention may be beneficial. The easiest answer to that is it’s ‘better to be safe than sorry’.
Emma assists children with language, fluency and communication challenges using fun, family-centred techniques. She ensures every child feels comfortable and engaged at their initial assessment and throughout the therapy process.
If you have any concerns about the speech and language development of a child in your care, Emma can put your mind at ease, or recommend the appropriate course of action.
Emma Lorenzin is a qualified speech pathologist who has worked with children experiencing a wide range of communication challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Global Developmental Delay. If there is no need for therapy at this stage, she’ll happily let you know. If she does believe a treatment program will be beneficial, you can congratulate yourself for intervening at the crucial early stages of communication learning.
How Do You Know When To Seek Help?
Peak speech pathology advocacy organisation The Hanen Centre suggests the following guidelines for typical speech development.
At 12 months, a child should:·
- babble with changes in tone – e.g. dadadadadadadadada·
- use gestures like waving “bye bye” or shaking head for “no”
- respond to her/his name
- communicate in some way when s/he needs help with something.
At 15 months, a child should:
- understand and respond to words like “no” and “up”
- point to objects or pictures when asked “Where’s the…?
- point to things of interest as if to say “Look at that!”
At 18 months, a child should:
- understand simple commands like “Don’t touch”
- use at least 20 single words like “Mommy” or “up”
- respond with a word or gesture to a question such as “What’s that? or “Where’s your shoe?”
- point to two or three major body parts such as head, nose, eyes, feet.
At 24 months, a child should:
- say 100 or more words
- consistently join two words together like “Daddy go” or “ shoes on”
- imitate actions or words
- play pretend with toys, such as feeding a doll.
At 30 months, a child should:
- say 300 or more words
- use action words like “run”, “eat” and “fall”
- use some adult grammar, such as “two babies” and “doggie sleeping”.
At 3-4 years, a child should:
- ask questions
- use sentences (e.g., “I don’t want that” or “My truck is broken”)
- tell a simple story.
If you have noticed a delay in any of these key areas in the children you care for, don’t delay. Contact Emma today on (03) 9899 5494 to discuss your concerns and learn more about the tell-tale signs of speech development delays.
Choose an experienced paediatric speech pathologist who works with you.
Emma’s next stage in professional development is to begin offering the Hanen Centre’s lauded It Takes Two To Talk program here at Box Hill Speech Pathology.
This teaching methodology provides a framework for speech pathologists to engage parents of children under 5 in the language therapy journey. Rather than simply being sent away from the clinic with ‘homework’, families who work with this program will learn how to recognise challenges, set their own goals and adjust daily routines for the benefit of their child. It can be hugely empowering for parents and carers, and evidence shows there are significant benefits to the child.
Learn more about the It Takes Two To Talk program here:
http://www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents/It-Takes-Two-to-Talk.aspx
At Box Hill Speech Pathology, we provide assessment and evidence-based treatment to people of all ages, in a friendly, welcoming environment. We have a special interest in young children, as we see time and time again the ways in which early intervention really can make a difference. When it comes to speech, social skills and learning difficulties, it’s never too early to seek support from a qualified speech pathologist.
Early Intervention Is Key
It takes a village to raise a child, they say. But our fast paced, high tech lives can leave us a long way from that all-knowing community of supporters. It’s never been more important for families to surround themselves with educators, carers and health professionals who understand the tell-tale signs of developmental delays, and can communicate their observations to worried families.
All too often, childhood speech delays and communication challenges are not picked up until a child is struggling at school. Left untreated, speech and language problems can seriously affect a child’s social confidence, learning abilities and temperament. Nothing is more frustrating for a young person than not being properly understood!
