About Us
 Hello, my name is Michelle O'Brien. I am a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, an active member of Speech Pathology Australia and the owner of The Little Bookworm.
I have 20 years experience as a paediatric speech language pathologist, working with children and their families in early intervention (children 0-6) and with children in schools. My background includes working with children with underlying physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and also children with developmental speech and language delays and disorders. In addition I work at La Trobe University at as lecturer and researcher.
My specialist skills and interests are in the following areas:
- Speech development and disorders (delayed speech, disordered or distorted speech, dyspraxia (difficulty with coordinating oral muscles to form speech sounds), dysarthria (difficulties with muscle tone - low tone resulting in floppy muscles, or high tone resulting in very tight muscles and the impact of muscle tone on speech);
- Language development and disorders (children late to begin talking, difficulties with any aspect of spoken language development such as spoken grammar, vocabulary, narrative and conversation skills);
- Autism spectrum disorders including children from mild disorders, to children who have no speech;
- Pre-literacy skills (oral vocabulary, phonological awareness - the ability to identify words in sentences and part words (sounds and syllables) in words;
- Parent/child interaction and its impact on early speech, language development, pre-literacy and literacy development; and
- Assisting parents and carers choose books and use book sharing strategies that enhance their child's interest and skills in oral language, pre-literacy and literacy.
- In addition, because I am an active researcher as well as clinician, I have skills and interests in using up to date research evidence to inform my clinical practice.
In addition to my qualifications and experience as a speech pathologist, I also am a parent and aunty, and have the practical day to day experience of managing a household, family and career. As a consequence of this experience, I understand the importance of incorporating speech and language goals into everyday activities where possible rather than attempting to add them to an already busy day.
I also have a background in information technology and its application to health care, and a PhD in the area of clinical decision support (using information technology to assist making clinical decisions). I have a passion for research and have strong focus on using research evidence to inform clinical practice decisions when research evidence is available.
I look forward to meeting and/or working with you and your child or children. Please do not hessitate to contact me with any questions (follow the Contact Us tab).
Michelle.
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