Jen Fraser is a paediatric speech pathologist with over 34 years' experience helping children and their families overcome communication, learning, literacy, and associated challenges. She is committed to empowering children so that they achieve their potential while building invaluable self-esteem and confidence.
Jen has a genuine desire to inspire and guide children (and their families) through their individual learning and communication challenges, evident by her energy, warmth, and authenticity. Her philosophy is that for a child to engage in learning, we must find out what works uniquely for them and use these strengths to build skills. This approach supports a child's self-esteem and allows them to embrace their strengths.
Her innovative, practical, and surprisingly simple strategies have been successfully used by parents, educators, and children across Australia. As a result, hundreds of children who previously “struggled” to learn are now enjoying the experience of effective and satisfying learning.
Prior to establishing Speech Pathology Solutions in Sydney, Jen ran a private practice on the Sunshine Coast and worked in health, education, assessment development, and research, both interstate and overseas. She has an extensive background in developing learning assessments and resources currently used throughout Australia and internationally, including the Dyslexia Screening Test, Adult Dyslexia Screening Test, Launch Into Reading Success, and other UK preschool programmes. Her work on the Eye Can Spell programme saw her named a finalist in the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network Businesswoman of the Year Awards (2013).
Jen maintains ongoing professional development through conferences and workshops. She is also currently undertaking the Master of Autism and Neurodivergent Studies at the University of Wollongong. This Masters programme is designed to equip professionals and parents with the skills to create and implement effective programs for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, emphasising a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on education, employment, and community support through evidence-based practices and social justice perspectives.
Speech pathology is often narrowly associated with articulation difficulties and stuttering. In practice, it encompasses the full range of skills a child needs to learn, connect, and communicate effectively:
This breadth means many childhood challenges, whether academic, social, or behavioural, can trace back to an underlying communication difficulty, and can benefit from speech pathology support.
To book an appointment, please email Jen
Communication is the foundation on which all later learning is built. The speech and language skills a child develops in their early years form the platform for learning, reading, writing, spelling, and social engagement once they reach school. It is well established in the research
that a child's early language ability is one of the strongest predictors of their later literacy and academic outcomes.
Difficulties that appear minor at three or four years of age (e.g. unclear sounds, trouble following instructions, a limited vocabulary), do not necessarily resolve on their own. Left unaddressed, they can compound over time, presenting later as literacy difficulties, learning delays, reduced classroom participation, social withdrawal, or anxiety around performance at school.
Early identification changes this trajectory. Assessing and supporting communication skills when concerns emerge allows difficulties to be addressed, thereby giving children the strongest possible foundation and reducing the need for extensive intervention and associated difficulties later. This is why early assessment and intervention sit at the core of Jen's clinical approach.
Jen operates her own practice, Speech Pathology Solutions, and provides care to every client personally, developing a genuine, ongoing understanding of each child and family throughout their time together. Sessions are conducted in a dedicated clinical setting, purpose-suited to
focused assessment and therapy, rather than a shared preschool or classroom space accommodated around a school day.
This model provides:
A speech pathologist is a health professional who assesses, diagnoses, and manages disorders of communication, feeding, and swallowing. Speech pathologists work with clients across the lifespan — from babies through to adults — supporting individuals with communication difficulties.
Speech pathologists frequently work alongside GPs, audiologists, and ENT specialists, to support the client's overall development and address areas of identified need.
A speech pathologist can assist with the assessment, management, and treatment of a wide range of communication difficulties, including:
During your first visit, Jen will gather relevant background information, including developmental history as well as relevant medical and family history. Following this, she will complete a comprehensive assessment and develop an individualised program to build the specific skills and abilities identified.
A referral is not required to see a speech pathologist and you are welcome to make an appointment directly by emailing Jen. Alternatively, if you would prefer to discuss your concerns with your GP first, they are able to provide a referral.
