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Shaun’s Dream Getaway
When Rocky Bay customer Shaun set his sights on a...
Aden
For most parents, hearing their child say “I love you” is a moment they will never forget. For five-year-old Aden’s mum, Murayad, those three little words carried even more weight as they marked the beginning of a new chapter in her son’s life.
When Aden, who has autism, first began regular speech and occupational therapy with Rocky Bay in October 2024, he was using a handful of words and relied on gestures to communicate. Like any mum, Murayad dreamed of her little boy being able to share his thoughts, make friends and join in with other children his age.
“With speech and occupational therapy working collaboratively with Aden’s mum and teachers, we knew Aden would build on his vocabulary and confidence with his peers”, says the Rocky Bay Clinical Operations Manager.
The story continues...
During a home therapy session, Aden used his device and said ‘I love you’ for the very first time. This moment was incredibly special, and his mum Murayad was thrilled to hear those words from him for the first time.
Aden’s progress shows what is possible when children and families are supported with the right tools, strategies and therapies. It’s not just about learning words, it is about opening up a whole world of relationships, opportunities and self-expression.
For Aden and his family, those first words of love were just the beginning. With the support of his Rocky Bay therapy team, his voice, in every sense, is growing stronger every day.
How we helped
After an initial assessment, Aden’s therapists introduced a variety of supports to encourage his language development. These included using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Aided Language Stimulation (ALS), a way of modelling language by labelling and requesting Aden’s favourite things, using both speech and icons on a communication device. Murayad embraced these at home, not expecting just how powerful they would be.
A two-week trial of the communication device was conducted in Aden’s classroom. Aden engaged well with the device, frequently using it to request animal toys, identify shapes and name colours during sessions. During this period, he used the device over 2,000 times. Teachers reported that Aden used the device to request items and engage with peers during class activities, supporting both his learning and social interaction. A word cloud was created from his most-used words, highlighting his favourite toys and colours.
Stories like Aden’s highlight the importance of Speech Pathology Week, which raises awareness of how speech pathologists change lives by helping people of all ages find their voice, connect with others and share what matters most.
A few words
“With speech and occupational therapy working collaboratively with Aden’s mum and teachers, we knew Aden would build on his vocabulary and confidence with his peers”
- Rocky Bay Clinical Operations Manager
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