Behind each of your favourite stores are passionate, hardworking people who welcome you to take part in their story, every time you walk in. Today we say hello to the Directors of our local paediatric therapy centre Jo & Kylie from Chatter-boxes Therapy Centre, who joined the Baringa Shopping Centre last month. Learn about the history of their business, the products and services they offer and what they love about their local community.

1. Please tell us some background on Chatter-boxes and its history?

Originally known as Chatter-boxes Speech Pathology, the business was established here on the Sunshine Coast in 2002. Since then, Chatter-boxes has evolved into a multi-disciplinary therapy team offering services in not only Speech Pathology, but Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Play Therapy, Counselling and community-based Therapy Assistant support for kids across the coast. The staff at Chatter-boxes pride themselves on the provision of high quality, evidence-based care for children, adolescents and their families with the addition of community screening, kindy talks, home and kindy visits and mentoring and professional development to other professionals including teachers.

Chatter-boxes Speech Pathology Services was a finalist in the 2018 Australian Paediatric Allied Health Clinic of the Year and the Australian Speech Pathology Clinic of the Year.

We are a values-based clinic and strive with personal and corporate consistency to “do things properly with love”. All activity, be it clinical, administrative or community based is carried out with excellence, integrity and the relationships it pertains to. It is our heart to not only inspire children and adolescents to reach for their potential through provision of fun and innovative services but also to encourage families to live well and connect with the local community to bring hope.

Chatter-boxes Therapy Centre is a registered NDIS Provider.

2. What made you want to open a clinic at Stockland Baringa?

We wanted to open a clinic in Baringa purely because of the rapid growth. So many young families are moving to the area and we want to be here to support these families now and into the future.

3. What does paediatric therapy care involve?

Being a private practice, parents can refer their child, or they can obtain a referral from their GP or Paediatrician. An assessment specific to your child's needs will be chosen and administered during the first session. From there your therapist will discuss therapy goals with the parent and develop an individualized program for the child. We like to involve families in the decision-making process, factoring in what is important to them at this point in time in their child’s life. All our sessions are designed to be super fun and engaging and supportive of each child to work towards achieving their goals.