Dedicated to helping
children Relate, Think
and Communicate.
- Ages 0-10 Years/Early Intervention
- Autism
- Global Development Delays
- Verbal Dyspraxia/CAS
- Speech & Language
- Parent Training
- Feeding Difficulties/Fussy Eaters
- Down Syndrome
Our Services
DIR®/Floortime™
Model S Greenspan & S WiederThis relationship and play-based approach involves parent training and observations in our practice to implement specific strategies for the home/school environment.
Please visit www.icdl.com/dir for more.
PROMPT Approach
This approach is very effective in supporting a child with severe speech difficulties, verbal dyspraxia and for a child that is non-verbal.
It is a tactile cueing method that is sound specific and is adapted to your child’s specific speech needs.
It is also integrated with sensory oral-motor therapy.
NDT (Neuro-Developmental Training)
Use of different types of equipment and strategies to improve and support the child who requires postural control during communication and feeding.
Sensory Stimulation Strategies
Use of different types of equipment to keep the child with sensory processing difficulties regulated and organized so that they are able to process information and learn through experiences.
Feeding Therapy
Use of different oral-motor tools, strategies, and individualized programs to improve the feeding process or the eating habits of “fussy” eaters.
These approaches (e.g. Food Chaining) are demonstrated and information is provided to address feeding difficulties on an oral, tactile and visual level.
Behavioural Management Strategies
Supporting children and their families to manage meltdowns and tantrums with a variety of strategies, our very practical 7-step Behaviour Plan and strategies uniquely matching the child and family in the home and school environment to develop shared-problemsolving, engagement, and repair.
Language & Speech Development Programs
Play-based and experience based therapy strategies to stimulate and develop different aspects of speech sound development or use of language structures such as sentence length, verbs, vocabulary etc.
Assisting the child to make meaning of concepts and to use these in meaningful communication not just "talking".
Social Skills
Joint sessions are offered at our practice to facilitate and develop the use of appropriate social language, joint symbolic play ideas, and shared problem solving.
These can be sibling sessions to assist the family as a whole as well as peer group sessions.
Therapeutic Listening Therapy
A comprehensive, multi-faceted sound-based approach that involves much more than just the ears.
It is a specific sound-based intervention that is embedded in a developmental and sensory integration perspective. The music gives the listener unique and precisely controlled sensory information.
Please visit www.vitallinks.com for videos, clinical studies, more information and benefits.
Theraplay®
Theraplay® is a child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun.
Theraplay® interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge.
Forbrain®
The purpose of Forbrain® technology is to amplify sound transmissions through bone conduction.
It is technology that supports little people presenting with severe speech disorders, memory difficulties or difficulties with fluent reading or attention difficulties.
To read more about its benefits, videos, clinical studies and more info please visit www.forbrain.com
About RTC Speech
RTC is a paediatric practice that values family empowerment, caregiver training & education to support the communication development of their child. RTC supports a team approach to enable the child to progress on all aspects of their development.
RTC is dedicated to empower all caregivers working with the child with the necessary strategies, reading material, coaching and observations that will support progress with this integrated and “bottom-up” approach.
The programs usually include all areas where support is required (eg. oral motor development, sensory, successful two way communication, social skills, friendship sessions, speech sound production, language development, reasoning and thinking skills).
Our training and extensive experience equips us to:
• Provide in-depth assessments
• Develop unique and individual treatment programs for the child and caregivers
• Compile summary/in-depth reports
• Consult with the team members or professionals involved
• Provide you with strategies and reading materials that will assist you in the home and school environment.
Meet Leana
Leana Matodes is an accredited DIR Model Floortime Provider and has received extensive training through ICDL (USA).
Sessions with Leana aim to be fun, stimulating and encouraging with a strong emphasis on play based therapy. We hope that your child will enjoy every therapy session and parents will leave feeling empowered and confident with strategies guided by Leana to help their child in their day-to-day life.
Leana enjoys attending many post-grad conferences, training and completing online studies to be able to offer a ‘unique and wholistic approach’ to all communication difficulties/disorders.
Leana is the mother of two fun-loving boys who have experienced difficulties that has provided Leana with understanding the professional side, but also the practical side of implementing a variety of strategies on a daily basis.
Leana is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with a passion and interest working with children aged up to 10 years to help them fulfill their potential to communicate.
Leana is trained in the PROMPT Approach, variety of Feeding Approaches (e.g. Food Chaining), Therapeutic Listening Therapy and Theraplay Informed Practice, and has received her NDT training and Advanced NDT Training. This enables RTC to provide a unique and holistic approach to all communication difficulties/disorders.
Leana has experience working with children that require a wide range of services including:
• Ages 0-10 Years
• Early Intervention (1 to 3 years)
• Autism
• Global Developmental Delays
• Verbal Dyspraxia/Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Speech/Language Delays & Disorders
• Parent Training
• Feeding Difficulties/"Fussy" Eaters
• Down Syndrome
• AAC (Alternative/Augmentative Communication
• Behaviour Difficulties
• Social Skills Difficulties.
Referrals
With the parent’s permission, a child can be referred directly to RTC Speech Pathology.
Please check with your health fund as a rebate may be provided for speech pathology. Clients may also be eligible for a rebate through Medicare if they obtain a referral from their General Practitioner. RTC is registered with NDIS, FaHCSIA and Better Start.
For information about determining eligibility to become a National Disability Insurance Scheme participant, please call the NDIS office on 1300 787 136. RTC Speech can provide assessments and written reports to support NDIS applications.