Speech Pathology Services Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

Speech Pathology Services in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

Neurodivergent-affirming, technology-informed speech pathology for children, adolescents and young adults

Supporting communication, AAC, language and participation across home, school and community.

👉 Now accepting new bookings

Speech Pathology Services

AAC Assessments & Reviews

I provide comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments and reviews for children and young people who benefit from communication supports.

Services include:

AAC system selection and trials
Device reviews and updates
Vocabulary and access method recommendations
School and team collaboration
NDIS reports and reviews

Experience with a wide range of AAC systems and communication technologies.

Neurodivergent-Affirming Language Assessments

I offer neurodivergent-affirming speech and language assessments for NDIS access, plan reviews and functional goal setting.

Assessments focus on:

Functional communication
Participation across environments
Strengths, interests and supports
Real-world communication needs (not just test scores)

Ideal for:

Autistic, ADHD, BPD and neurodivergent profiles
Complex communication needs
NDIS reviews and reporting

School-Based Speech Pathology

I currently support students through school visits across the Lake Macquarie & Newcastle region. I currently visit Newcastle Junior School, Newcastle High School (Support Unit) & Lakeside School.

Services may include:

In-class and small-group support
Teacher collaboration and strategy sharing
AAC and communication supports in the classroom
Functional communication goals linked to curriculum participation

Technology & AI-Informed Communication Supports

I have a strong interest in technology and AI-supported communication, particularly for children and young adults with disability or neurodivergent profiles.

This includes:

Supporting communication with technology
Digital accommodations and supports
Ethical and practical use of AI tools to reduce communication barriers
Building independence and confidence using everyday technology

Who I work with

I work best with:

Children, adolescents and young adults
Neurodivergent individuals
AAC users or emerging AAC users
Families open to collaborative, strengths-based approaches
Clients who benefit from technology-supported communication

I currently support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.

How I Work

My practice is:

Neurodivergent-affirming
Relationship-centred
Functional and goal-focused
Collaborative with families and schools

Communication with families is typically provided through clear post-session emails, resources, visuals or videos, rather than formal therapy notes.

About Shae Rodgers

I’m Shae Rodgers, a Speech Pathologist with over 18 years of experience working in the disability and complex communication space, with a strong clinical focus on AAC, neurodivergent-affirming practice, and functional communication.

Earlier in my career, I was the Director of Small TALK Speech Therapy, where I worked extensively with children, adolescents and young adults with complex communication needs. My clinical background includes long-term work with AAC users, autistic individuals, and people with disability who require highly individualised, practical communication supports across home, school and community environments.

Alongside my professional experience, I also bring lived experience into my work. I am neurodivergent myself and a parent to two boys aged 10 and 5, with my eldest being neurodivergent. This perspective strongly shapes how I practise and how I partner with families. It has reinforced the importance of approaches that are respectful, flexible, strengths-based and grounded in real life, rather than purely clinical or deficit-focused.

I understand both professionally and personally how complex systems, reports and recommendations can feel, especially when families are navigating education, funding and disability services at the same time. My focus is always on ensuring that communication supports are meaningful, achievable and sustainable, not just theoretically sound.

I have a particular interest in AAC assessments and reviews, supporting both emerging and established AAC users to access systems that align with their strengths, preferences and environments. I also work closely with families, educators and support teams to embed communication supports into everyday routines and settings.

In addition to my clinical work, I hold a number of volunteer and professional leadership roles. This includes being a local Private Practice Member Network Representative for Speech Pathology Australia, as well as sitting on advisory and working groups that contribute to discussions about the future of speech pathology practice, particularly in relation to ethics, technology and evolving service models.

In recent years, I’ve also developed a strong interest in technology-supported communication and the ethical use of digital tools, including AI, to support participation, autonomy and access for neurodivergent individuals and people with disability. This interest complements my strong clinical reasoning and relationship-based practice.

My approach is:

Neurodivergent-affirming
Relationship-centred
Functional and participation-focused
Collaborative with families and support teams

I am based in Lakelands (Warners Bay), providing services across schools, community settings and via telehealth where appropriate. I currently work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.

At the core of my work is a belief that communication is about connection, autonomy and participation, and that every individual deserves supports that reflect who they are and how they move through the world.

Ready to get started?

You can view availability and book online via Halaxy.

👉 Book an appointment

For general enquiries, please contact via email or SMS (0494365597)

shae@speechpathologyresources.com.au

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