Hi, I’m Oribell, speech pathologist and founder of Laugh Aloud Speech Co.
Certified in the US, UK and Australia, I offer evidence-based therapy for children from birth to adolescence on the Sunshine Coast and online Australia-wide, in English and Spanish.
13/05/2026
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and even enlarged turbinates, can impact a child’s learning.
This can impact speech, attention, behaviour, and even hearing.
If this sounds familiar, it’s worth looking into — and worth sharing with other parents who might not realise.
Many parents I work with have been told at least one of these:
👉 “They’ll grow out of it”
👉 “They understand everything, so they’re fine”
👉 “Drop a language—it’s confusing them”
Many of the families I work with have trusted their instinct and sought help… but it’s not always easy.
A lot of parents are told to “wait and see.” The truth is, the earlier you intervene, the easier it is to close the gap.
Communication involves connection, attention, play, expression, and understanding. Even if a child understands everything, they can still have difficulty communicating for a range of reasons.
If you’re a teacher or health professional, and a parent voices a concern—listen to them and ask more questions.
Bilingualism does not cause language delays. It does not confuse children. I’ve seen families follow advice to drop their home language, and it’s heartbreaking. It can affect connection, cultural identity, and the natural flow of communication between a carer and a child.
If you’ve heard any of these before… you’re not overthinking it.
Trust your gut.
Save this if you need it later, or send it to someone who might need to hear it.
Testing post from
Movement facilitates attention 👏
Wobble boards are one simple way to support:
✔️ Attention & regulation
✔️ Balance
✔️ Bilateral integration
✔️ Engagement during speech, language & learning tasks
In this video, movement is helping keep the body engaged while practising reading.
For some children, adding movement can support attention, improve engagement, and make learning feel more natural and playful ✨
The body supports the brain — and when children are regulated and engaged, learning is often easier.
24/04/2026
Most parents don’t know this exists 👇
💡 The M10 pathway could unlock up to 28 Medicare-funded speech therapy sessions
If your child has:
• Suspected autism or a neurodevelopmental difference
• Social communication challenges
• Language difficulties impacting learning
• A complex developmental profile
👉 You may be eligible — even without a formal diagnosis
Here’s what most families aren’t told:
CDM (Chronic Disease Management)
• Up to 5 sessions per year
• Short-term support
• Lower rebate
M10 (Neurodevelopmental Pathway)
• Up to 28 sessions (lifetime)
• Designed for developmental needs
• Higher rebate
• Ongoing, meaningful support
🚨 Important:
A referral is needed from a GP, paediatrician or specialist — and not all pathways are routinely discussed.
💬 If you’ve been spacing out therapy because of cost…
💬 If your child needs more consistent support…
This pathway is worth asking about.
📌 Save this for your next GP appointment
📌 Share with someone who needs this
If you’d like, I can help you with exactly what to say to your GP to access M10.
14/04/2026
Does your child snore at night? 🤔
Many parents notice snoring, but don’t always realise it can sometimes be linked to airway obstruction.
Children with airway obstruction may:
• Snore at night
• Keep their mouth open during the day
• Seem tired despite getting enough sleep
Airway issues can affect more than sleep. They may impact:
• Attention and learning
• Hearing
• Speech and language development
Airway obstruction can also be associated with middle ear issues that affect hearing, which may influence speech development.
Over time, open-mouth posture can affect how the lips and tongue work together to produce clear speech sounds.
If your child snores frequently, breathes through their mouth, or seems very tired during the day, it may be worth looking into.
📍 Speech therapy available via telehealth across Australia
📍 In-person sessions available on the Sunshine Coast
14/04/2026
Does your child snore at night? 🤔
Many parents notice snoring, but don’t always realise it can sometimes be linked to airway obstruction.
Children with airway obstruction may:
• Snore at night
• Keep their mouth open during the day
• Seem tired despite getting enough sleep
Airway issues can affect more than sleep.
They may impact:
• Attention and learning
• Hearing
• Speech and language development
Airway obstruction can also be associated with middle ear issues that affect hearing, which may influence speech development.
Over time, open-mouth posture can affect how the lips and tongue work together to produce clear speech sounds.
If your child snores frequently, breathes through their mouth, or seems very tired during the day, it may be worth looking into.
📍 Speech therapy available via telehealth across Australia
📍 In-person sessions available on the Sunshine Coast
13/04/2026
Versión en español 🌎👇
Si tu hijo/a no responde durante el juego…
puede que no sea lo que piensas.
A veces:
• Hablamos demasiado
• No damos suficiente tiempo
• Hacemos demasiadas preguntas
Prueba esto en su lugar 👇
Observa. Espera. Sigue su iniciativa.
Dale tiempo a tu hijo/a para responder.
La comunicación no siempre son palabras — también puede ser contacto visual, sonidos, gestos… incluso acciones divertidas.
Muestra interés en lo que está haciendo. Imítalo/a. Únete a su juego.
Estos pequeños cambios ayudan a construir conexión — y la conexión favorece la comunicación.
Si tienes dudas sobre el desarrollo de tu hijo/a, consulta con un fonoaudiólogo.
Guarda este post o compártelo con un papá o mamá que lo necesite 💛
07/04/2026
If your child isn’t responding during play…
It might not be what you think.
Sometimes, we:
• Talk too much
• Don’t give enough time
• Ask too many questions
Try this instead 👇
Observe. Wait.
Follow their lead.
Give your child time to respond.
Communication doesn’t always look like words — it can be eye contact, sounds, gestures, or even silly actions.
Show interest in what they’re doing. Copy them. Join their play.
These small shifts build connection — and connection supports communication.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak to a speech pathologist.
Save this or share it with a parent who needs it 💛
03/04/2026
Versión en español 🌎👇
“No siempre es mejor esperar y ver.”
A los 12 meses, la mayoría de los bebés comienzan a:
• Decir al menos una palabra
• Usar gestos como señalar o saludar
• Buscar objetos que están fuera de la vista
Si estas habilidades aún no están presentes, vale la pena observar más de cerca.
Confía en tu instinto — tú conoces mejor a tu hijo/a.
Si tienes dudas, consulta con un fonoaudiólogo.
La intervención temprana puede marcar una gran diferencia.
Guarda o comparte con un papá o mamá que lo necesite.