AK Speech Therapy

20/10/2026

Join this informative webinar to learn more about optimising your speech and swallowing with Parkinson's disease.

Kia ora

Register now for our upcoming webinar on 22nd October from 1-2pm

We are delighted to host Anna Wivell-Childs whose webinar will include the following information:

🌷Speech, communication and swallow difficulties that can affect people with Parkinson's
🌷How to maintain and improve your communication
🌷Your swallow and what to do about it if it's not right
🌷Exercise and recommendations overwhelm - how your team can help, and what you can do.

Register here!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6417914225920/WN_ZoPzUEPWTp6ZNas-Zs_hzg

20/10/2026

International Aphasia Day- 20th October

This International Aphasia Day, let’s raise awareness of aphasia and champion everyone’s right to communicate, connect and be heard.

🗣️ International Aphasia Day | 20 October

Let’s recognise people with aphasia and celebrate the amazing things they do!

Aphasia is a language impairment most commonly caused by stroke, but it can also result from brain injury or a progressive neurological condition. It can affect speaking, understanding, reading and writing, including words and numbers.

🧠 Around one-third of people who experience a stroke develop aphasia. While communication can be challenging, aphasia does not affect a person’s intelligence.

This year’s International Aphasia Day message is: “We lose our words, not our intelligence.”

People with aphasia achieve amazing things every day — from having conversations and ordering a coffee to pursuing hobbies, participating in their communities and finding new ways to express themselves.

💙 How can we support people with aphasia?
* Give them time to communicate.
* Be patient and allow conversations to happen at their own pace.
* Don’t assume their intelligence or understanding is impaired.
* Recognise and support different ways of communicating, including gestures, drawing and writing.

Speech-language therapists play an important role in supporting communication and participation for people living with aphasia, alongside their whānau and communities.

Let’s continue to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and recognise the person beyond their words.

🔗 Find out more: http://www.aphasia.org.nz/

12/06/2026

If you want to learn more about swallowing rehabilitation using BiSSkApp tune in to this free webinar!

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

12/06/2026

Read more about BiSSkApp in the NZ Herald or visit the website www.swaltech.com to learn about how this exciting technology could help you to improve your swallowing and regain your love of mealtimes!

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/former-firefighter-helps-develop-tech-to-aid-stroke-recovery-in-christchurch/DSIRPXEG5REB5M6KKOIY5MNGFI/?utm_campaign=161543626-Lead%20generation&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--x4HUv6nAugS9eq-gd0yjNK8AtcHg2nL3dn5egruCuFEfnnpyuOHj14GMKsjjFcS7eaRNCmGtk-q8_LukFuO5VYn7f0Q&_hsmi=28368355&utm_content=28368355&utm_source=hs_email

After a stroke at 32, Eric UfiPoa Taule’ale’ausumai relearned to swallow.

03/06/2026

Exciting times at AK Speech Therapy. My new speech exercise group helping people with slurred, quiet or monotonous speech (dysarthria) is launching online. It will be at 04.30 on Wednesdays on Microsoft Teams! Come along to exercise your voice and improve your confidence in communicating every day.

Visit www.akspeechtherapy.co.nz for more information. If you are ready to take the first step, go for it, and follow the link below to register your interest.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeALu49N0PzKXF5yNuH0Kb247ZMGqpxlx7EeLbbAfOjfvb0uA/viewform?usp=header

17/03/2026

Learn more about SPEAK OUT! and dysphagia rehab using BiSSkApp!

📣 INSIGHT into Parkinson’s Online Conference 2026
Join thousands from around the world for three powerful days of education, connection and inspiration at the world’s largest online Parkinson’s conference.

Held 11–13 April 2026 (World Parkinson’s Day weekend), this year’s program covers a wide range of practical and evidence-based topics, including; the latest Parkinson’s research, speech and swallowing, clinical trial updates, allied health access, balance and gait, lifestyle strategies, supportive care and more.
Designed for people living with Parkinson’s, carers and health professionals, you can sign up for free live access to the conference, or purchase a Premium Ticket for extended on-demand viewing.

Get your FREE ticket here;
https://pdwarrior.com/insight/

16/03/2026

🗣️✨ World Speech Day

Today we celebrate the power of communication — to connect, to inspire, and to create change.

Communication shapes how we learn, build relationships, share ideas, and participate in our communities. Speech-language therapists work alongside individuals and whānau to support meaningful, accessible communication across the lifespan — including spoken, signed, written, and alternative forms of communication.

World Speech Day is a reminder of the impact communication can have — and the importance of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to express themselves and be understood.

16/03/2026

I am pleased to announce AK Speech Therapy is now offering the SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program.

The SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program, developed by the nonprofit organization, PARKINSON VOICE PROJECT®, helps people with Parkinson's and related disorders REGAIN and RE TAIN their speech and swallowing. The program, if followed according to the exercises set out in the SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program, can improve volume, articulation, breath support for speech, vocal quality, intonation, and facial expression. Patients and families also report reduced drooling and improved swallowing. This highly effective, research-based treatment combines education, individual SPEAK OUT! Therapy, SPEAK OUT! Classes, daily home practice, and continuous follow-ups.

"Up to 90% of people with Parkinson's are at risk of losing their ability to speak. In addition, swallowing complications account for 70% of the mortality rate in this patient population. Our vision at Parkinson Voice Project is to make quality speech therapy accessible to people with Parkinson's worldwide." said Samantha Elandary, Parkinson Voice Project's Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

About Parkinson Voice Project Parkinson Voice Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization solely dedicated to helping people with Parkinson's and related disorders REGAIN and RETAIN their speech and swallowing. The organization provides SPEAK OUT! Booklets, online SPEAK OUT! Home Practice Sessions, and a weekly Parkinson's Sing-Along to complement the speech therapy they will receive at AK Speech Therapy. The organisation is headquartered in Richardson, Texas, and has trained over 11,500 SLPs and 16,600 students in more than 50 countries.

For information, visit

SPEAK OUT!® Therapy, developed by Parkinson Voice Project, helps people with Parkinson's regain and retain their speech and swallowing.

24/02/2026

As a speech and language therapist, I’m often asked:
"How do we make texture-modified meals look and taste better?"

I’ve recently come across a fantastic resource — Beyond the Blender — a cookbook designed specifically for people who require modified texture diets.

What I love about it:
✔️ Focus on dignity and presentation
✔️ Practical recipes for soft and bite size diet, minced and moist diet, puree diet and liquidised diet matched to IDDSI levels
✔️ Helps move beyond “beige bowls” of food
✔️ Supports safer swallowing without sacrificing enjoyment

For families supporting someone at home, or care facilities wanting to improve mealtime experience, this is well worth exploring.

Swallowing difficulties don’t mean giving up on beautiful, enjoyable food.

https://beyondtheblender.com.au/

A collection of dysphagia-friendly recipes for anyone with or cooking for someone with swallowing difficulties. Developed by Griffith University Master of Speech Pathology students and staff.