Opportunity through communication

As part of Speech Pathology Week 2025, we are shining a light on the incredible work of our speech pathologists who make a lasting impact every day. Today, we are proud to introduce Ramishka, a passionate and experienced clinician whose journey into speech pathology was as unexpected as it was life changing.

With a background influenced by her father, a social worker who recognised the potential of the profession, Ramishka took a leap into speech pathology over a decade ago and hasn’t looked back since.

A typical day for Ramishka is a dynamic mix of customer appointments, documentation, collaborative meetings with other therapists and stakeholders and plenty of opportunities for growth. She describes her work as “rewarding, evolving and fun” a reflection of both her passion and the diverse nature of the role.

One of her proudest achievements has been specialising in neurorehabilitation and dysphagia, and more recently, beginning a PhD in 2023. Her research focuses on developing a novel conversation therapy program for people with Parkinson’s disease, an exciting step forward in the field.

When asked about memorable moments, Ramishka finds it impossible to choose just one. “Each time a customer expresses a new word, communicates in a new way, or eats a new type of food, it makes every moment worth it,” she says.

She is also quick to bust the common myth that speech pathologists only help children pronounce sounds. “We do so much more than get kids to say a speech sound over and over again!” she says.

Ramishka is passionate about educating others on the scope of the profession. Speech pathologists support communication in all its forms, verbal, non-verbal and through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods. They also work with individuals who experience difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing, helping them rediscover the joy of mealtimes.

Her approach is simple but powerful: “We start where you’re at and work alongside you to reach your goal. It’s all about you and what you would like to achieve.”

She’s a strong advocate for early intervention, likening a young brain to a rubber ball, flexible, absorbent and ready to grow. “Why not feed this growing brain when it can consume all this information?” she says.

When it comes to therapy tools, Ramishka finds joy in the unexpected, like Play-Doh, and shares a favourite communication tip:

“You don’t always have to respond in words. Silence, a smile, or a frown is also a response.”

What inspires her most? “The customers I work with, the incredible team I work with, and the fact that I can contribute, even in a small way, to improving someone’s quality of life.”

We are grateful to Ramishka for sharing her story and for the passion, expertise and heart she brings to her work every day. Speech pathologists play a vital role in helping people find their voice, connect with others and live more fulfilling lives.