Hannah is the mother of Raph, aged 8. She was so glad to find SPELD SA and so pleased with the significant gains her son has made in a short time.
Raph has weekly sessions online in our Literacy Clinic to help him build skills and confidence with reading with effective and tailored support.
"I would lie awake at night, wondering if he would ever learn to read. Now, those fears are gone!"
When did you first notice concerns with your child’s learning?
Around the age of six, our son had shown very little interest in reading or writing—even compared to peers who were less inclined academically. Midway through Year 1, his teacher raised concerns about his difficulty grasping letter sounds. At that moment, I knew this was more than just a slow start—he would need extra support. He had already completed six months of the Read3 program with his speech therapist, so it was clear we needed to dig deeper.
"Be proactive. Early intervention makes a huge difference. If you have concerns, don’t wait—reach out to professionals, get assessments, and start the support process early."
Can you describe the journey from those early concerns to now?
It’s been quite a journey. Once the school flagged the issue, our paediatrician recommended we pursue testing. We were advised to seek an educational psychology assessment to better understand how our son learns, and to determine whether he had a learning difficulty. Unfortunately, this kind of assessment wasn’t available in Alice Springs, so I started looking interstate. Our paediatrician and I created a shortlist of criteria to help me find the right organisation: we needed someone who could provide a comprehensive assessment, offer ongoing support, deliver online services, and collaborate with his school. When I found SPELD SA, I immediately felt we’d found the right place. When I called and they welcomed us—even though we were based in the NT—I was so relieved, I had to hold back tears.
Once in Adelaide, we completed the educational assessment, and within a few weeks we had a detailed report outlining our son's needs and recommended support. That report became our blueprint—it helped his school and support team coordinate their efforts, and it gave us a strong foundation to advocate for him. Discovering SPELD SA’s Literacy Clinic was a turning point. We knew our son would benefit from that level of specialised, intensive support—and he has. Progress is steady, and meaningful. We’re incredibly grateful to be working with our teacher, and we hope to meet her in person one day.
What impact has SPELD SA had on your child’s learning?
It’s hard to put into words how much of a difference SPELD SA has made. We were deeply concerned about our son’s emotional wellbeing at school—he was aware that he was struggling. But now, he’s learning to read. He’s gaining confidence. Not long ago, I was lying awake at night, researching assistive technology, and wondering if he would ever learn to read. Now, those fears are gone. SPELD SA has had a positive impact on our family’s well-being. SPELD SA has not only supported our son but has also positively influenced his school. They’ve adopted the Sounds-Write program into their intervention efforts, having seen the difference it’s made for him.
How important is it for you to have sessions delivered online?
Living in regional Australia, we simply don’t have access to the kind of expertise available at SPELD SA. Online sessions have been critical. We were able to schedule sessions at times that suited both the school and our family, which meant minimal disruption to his school day. Our son quickly adapted to using the computer and genuinely enjoys his time with his practitioner.
What support or interventions have been most valuable?
The Literacy Clinic, without a doubt—particularly the use of a structured, evidence-based program like Sounds-Write. We knew group tutoring wasn’t going to work for our son, and unfortunately, that was the only local option. SPELD's approach is exactly what he needs—our practitioner knows when to challenge him and when to slow down. She’s incredibly thoughtful and careful not to overwhelm him. Her support is tailored and effective.
"It’s been wonderful to watch his confidence grow."
What has been the biggest challenge?
I think it was in the beginning when I was trying to figure out the roadmap to getting help and support for my son, but after we found SPELD SA, honestly, we haven’t faced many challenges—we have an incredible team behind our son. Our approach is centred on support, not pressure. He’s making steady progress, and we’re incredibly proud of him.
Has anything surprised you?
Yes—how effective the Sounds-Write program has been. Our son has made significant gains in a short time with his practitioner. I’ve learned that less is more. In my eagerness to help, I had been overwhelming our son with educational apps and programs. The Sounds-Write program’s structured and straightforward approach works. This experience has also made me a more engaged parent—I now apply what I’ve learned to support all my children in their learning to read. The benefits have extended to our entire family.
What advice would you give to other parents who suspect their child has learning difficulties?
Be proactive. Early intervention makes a huge difference. If you have concerns, don’t wait—reach out to professionals, get assessments, and start the support process early. The sooner you act, the better the outcome will be for your child.
What outcomes do you hope for your child?
I hope our son becomes a confident reader and writer, and that he develops a genuine love of learning. I also hope he grows up knowing that when he needs help, there are kind, knowledgeable people who will support him.
Our son really looks forward to his sessions in the Literacy Clinic program. The structure and predictability of this program has helped ease his anxiety, and the lessons are engaging without being overwhelming. The homework is manageable—it takes about ten minutes. Being able to observe his sessions and help with homework means I understand exactly what he’s learning and how he’s progressing. It’s been wonderful to watch his confidence grow.
Thanks to Hannah and her family for sharing their story, and experience in our Literacy Clinic. Hannah is the recipient of a Bursary- find out more about financial support.
