Lab Learning and Speech

07/10/2026

Often, children come to us feeling disengaged or with low confidence in their learning, and we get it, when learning has felt tricky for a long time, it can be hard to believe in yourself.

We monitor progress closely, so we know what’s working, what’s changing and where support needs to go next. But progress isn’t only measured on paper, it’s also seeing a child start to back themselves, have a go, feel capable and believe that learning can get easier. Because it can (and it will).

06/10/2026

Difficulties with number facts, place value, calculations, mathematical vocabulary or understanding how concepts relate to one another can make maths incredibly demanding.

For some learners, these difficulties may be associated with dyscalculia. The right support helps break mathematical concepts into manageable steps and gives learners opportunities to build both understanding and confidence. Call us today.

05/10/2026

A child can speak clearly and still need support with language.

Our speech pathologists are trained to support the language and literacy skills children use every day to understand, communicate and learn.

Contact us today, we have appointments available for Term 4.

04/10/2026

Thanks Bear Grylls for sharing this from a parent’s perspective. Sometimes it’s hard to sit there and watch your child not receive the award or recognition.

But as this short clip so beautifully points out, that resilience muscle is strong — built over years of navigating challenges that others may never see.

We see this in so many of our students at LAB Learning & Speech. For children with learning and communication difficulties, that resilience continues to serve them well beyond the school gates.

03/10/2026

01/10/2026

Welcome to the LAB Team Hannah!

We’re excited to welcome Hannah Willey (Moses), an experienced Speech Pathologist, to the LAB team.

Hannah is passionate about helping individuals build their communication skills and confidence through individualised, evidenced based, family-centred support.

✨ Appointments available for term 4
📍 East Maitland
📍 Raymond Terrace

📞 0401 231 522
🌐 Submit an enquiry here: https://lablearningandspeech.com.au/contact/

Welcome to team LAB, Hannah!

01/10/2026

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and we’re recognising the challenges, the strengths and the potential of every learner, because sure, Dyslexia can make reading and spelling more difficult, but it does not define a child’s intelligence, ideas or potential.

A child can struggle with written words and still be a creative thinker, a strong problem solver and full of great ideas.

At LAB Learning & Speech, we support the areas that are difficult while recognising the strengths already there, because dyslexia is only part of the learner, not the whole learner.

29/09/2026

The person sitting across from your child matters just as much as the program or resource being used.

LAB Learning & Speech is built around highly trained learning specialists and Speech Pathologists, with specialist expertise, one-to-one support and clinical leadership.

That depth of knowledge allows therapists to interpret what they are seeing, adapt intervention and work collaboratively when a child’s needs span different areas.

28/09/2026

One-size-fits-all support is rarely enough for complex learning and communication difficulties.

Our approach at LAB Learning & Speech is personal by design. We take the time to understand the whole child and tailor support around their individual strengths, needs and goals.

That means intervention can change as the learner changes. It also means the child is not simply moved through a standard program because that is what everyone else receives.

07/07/2026

Many children are told they’ll “catch up” —but a wait-and-see approach is not recommended, as it can allow the gap to grow over time.

In our latest blog, we discuss:

• why early reading difficulties should not be ignored
• how reading skills build step by step
• why small gaps can become larger over time
• the importance of phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge and decoding
• how early, evidence-based intervention can support confidence and learning

Read the full article here:
https://lablearningandspeech.com.au/why-waiting-can-make-reading-difficulties-harder-to-overcome/

LAB Learning and Speech offers comprehensive assessments to help identify your child’s strengths and areas that may require support, while guiding the right pathway forward.

0401 231 522
https://lablearningandspeech.com.au/contact/

Learn. Achieve. Believe.

References
Cunningham, A. E., & Stanovich, K. E. (1997). Early reading acquisition and its relation to reading experience and ability 10 years later. Developmental Psychology, 33(6), 934–945. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.33.6.934
National Early Literacy Panel. (2008). Developing early literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel. National Institute for Literacy.
National Reading Panel. (2000). Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Seidenberg, M. S. (2017). Language at the speed of sight: How we read, why so many can't, and what can be done about it. Basic Books.
Snow, C. E., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (1998). Preventing reading difficulties in young children. National Academy Press.
Stanovich, K. E. (1986). Matthew effects in reading: Some consequences of individual differences in the acquisition of literacy. Reading Research Quarterly, 21(4), 360–407. https://doi.org/10.1598/RRQ.21.4.1
Torgesen, J. K. (2004). Preventing early reading failure. American Educator, 28(3), 6–19.
Wolf, M. (2018). Reader, come home: The reading brain in a digital world. Harper.

Treatment for learning difficulties Australia. Therapy for difficulties with reading, writing, spelling & mathematics - Hunter, NSW or online