Kate Ledingham

Kate is a supporter of and advocate for the different thinkers of the world. Kate completed her Bachelor of Business at the University of Tasmania (2008) and her Masters of Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland (2012) and is the Director of Speechcare. Kate is a strong advocate for community understanding of communication differences and disorders and developing greater community awareness. Kate works closely with workplaces, schools and early education settings supporting their skills and understanding of inclusion for students with disabilities and communication differences and disorders.

Kate spent three years in the UK working in the education sector in a training and clinical role where she provided assessment, intervention, group and individual therapy for school-aged neurodivergent children, and training for teaching staff and families in the areas of Autism and Social Communication and Social Language Development.

Kate provides individual and group therapy using affirming and child-led approaches that foster individual safety and develop assertiveness, problem solving and confidence in communication.

Kate provides training and support to schools, workplaces, families and organisations in the areas of disability inclusion, autism and social communication and neurodiversity and inclusion. Kate is trained to administer the MIGDAS-2 assessment and offers assessments to support autism diagnosis.
Kate provides supervision to clinicians and is trained in and delivers modified and non-ABA based interventions.

Previously, Kate has trained in Hanen More than Words, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, SOS Feeding, Social Stories, LAMP Words For Life, Non-ABA based SCERTS Assessments, Colourful Semantics, the Lidcombe Program and Sounds-Write, an evidence-based literacy program.

Though ongoing reflection and learning, seeking information about the lived experience of her clients and prioritising emotional safety, Kate has developed a responsive approach to assessment and therapy that values the client experience and builds their capacity.

Kate advocates for holistic and functional AAC use and supporting individuals to communicate confidently. Kate uses the SEA Bridges program in individual and peer group settings and supports team-based approaches to intervention across the lifespan.

Kate delivers family-centred, affirming and safe therapy and has specific interest, experience and training in the following areas:

• Speech, play and language disorders
• Paediatric fluency
• Early language and literacy skills
• Communication and social development in autistic children and young adults
• Communication development in children and young adults with developmental disabilities
• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Autism
• Assessment and treatment of sensory feeding disorders
• Inclusive education and employment practices

Kate is dedicated to collaborating with families to achieve their goals and to ensure that therapy recognises and builds on their unique strengths and interests.