Finding their voices
Mum-of-six Teagan knows all too well the difference that being able to communicate can make, whether it is spoken, signed, digital, or written.
Three of her children, Amelia, Caleb, and Charli, receive support from AnglicareSA speech pathologists within our Daphne Street ASELCC and OATS teams to assist with their speech, listening, and language skills. She said being able to contact AnglicareSA’s team of speech pathologists for help and support had been reassuring, particularly when she was first trying to navigate the system and find the right supports for her children.
Teagan said her children now felt more confident and capable in their communication, literacy, and social skills, thanks in part to their regular speech pathology sessions. “If it wasn’t for speech therapy and that early intervention, we wouldn’t be where we are now and see those changes.”
A team effort When two-year-old Tommy and his mother Erin first connected with AnglicareSA’s our Daphne Street ASELCC and OATS teams in 2022, the pair were navigating some significant life challenges.
Tommy had been diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and was awaiting an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, which he later received in 2024. Erin was also experiencing challenges of her own – as Tommy’s sole carer without the presence of a support network behind her, she was trying to navigate the system to find support for her son alone and was experiencing financial hardship. Recognising the complexity of Erin’s situation, the ASELCC and OATS teams connected her with internal AnglicareSA support services, as well as other external resources to help support not just Tommy, but herself in such difficult times.
AnglicareSA’s Emergency Assistance service provided Erin with groceries and essential supplies, and the ASELCC kitchen also provided her with meals to ensure she and Tommy were eating regular, nutritious meals. The AnglicareSA team also supported Erin with the correct paperwork to create an NDIS plan for Tommy, which allowed him to attend ASELCC three days a week and receive community-based supports through OATS. Erin was also referred to Carers SA so she could access respite care and caregiver support. The support AnglicareSA provided to Erin and Tommy did not stop after the service intake process. Over two and a half years, Tommy accessed a range of AnglicareSA services, including ASELCC and OATS services (such as developmental education, speech pathology, and occupational therapy), forming meaningful and trusting relationships with therapists, educators, and the wider AnglicareSA team. This early intervention has empowered Erin to better navigate home and community environments to meet Tommy’s needs. As Tommy transitions to a specialist school in 2025, AnglicareSA has ensured that he will still receive regular support, with weekly speech pathology through OATS, and he is on the waitlist for developmental education and occupational therapy in the future.
Tommy is now thriving after receiving support from AnglicareSA
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