Word Stars Professional Development Workshop
Toddler Speech: Advances in assessment, analysis, target selection, and therapy planning

workshop overview

This one-day, highly practical workshop is designed for speech pathologists who support young children with emerging speech and language development.

You’ll gain evidence-based insights into toddlers’ speech acquisition, the complex relationship between emerging speech and vocabulary, and what to expect in toddlers’ emerging speech profiles. You’ll learn how to strategically assess, analyse, and select therapy targets for toddlers with emerging speech and vocabulary development. Walk away with practical tools and renewed confidence in your clinical decision-making.

workshop format and learning experience

This workshop will be capped at 50 attendees to protect the quality of the learning experience. With two experienced presenters facilitating the day, there will be substantial time for guided analysis, case discussion and supported clinical reasoning, not just passive listening.

We have intentionally designed this workshop for speech pathologists who value depth over volume. If you are looking for space to think critically, refine your decision-making and engage in meaningful professional dialogue about toddler speech profiles and target selection, this workshop is for you.

who should attend?

Speech pathologists working with toddlers (18-month-olds – 36-month-olds).

This workshop is suitable for early career and experienced clinicians.

what you'll learn

Overview of early speech and lexical development (typical vs clinical populations)
Why assessing emerging speech matters—and how to do it
Review of existing speech production assessment tools for toddlers
Introduction to the Toddler Emerging Speech Assessment (TESA; Baker & Hodges, 2025), including the TESA-Mini, TESA-Extended and TESA-Pre-lexical
How to analyse toddlers’ emerging speech skills such as word shapes and consonant sequences, in addition to their response types
Evidence-informed principles for selecting early speech and lexical targets
Integrating speech goals into therapy plans for toddlers aged 18-36 months-old
Tracking progress: outcome measures that reflect change in speech and lexical skills, and how to communicate these parents/carers.

meet the presenters

Dr. Elise Baker

Elise is a leading speech-language pathologist and Associate Professor at Western Sydney University. She is internationally recognised for her research in speech sound disorders in children. Her work focuses on developing practical tools and interventions that empower clinicians to support young children with speech and language difficulties.

Elise brings a wealth of academic and clinical expertise, and is passionate about making research findings accessible and useful in everyday practice. Her collaboration with Rosie on the TESA reflects their shared mission to equip clinicians with evidence-based, real-world tools for late talkers.

Dr. rosemary (rosie) hodges

Rosie is an experienced speech-language pathologist, researcher, and clinic director with a special interest in supporting late talking toddlers. She completed her PhD on the speech and language development of late talkers and continues to contribute to the field through research, clinical innovation, and professional education.

As Clinical Director of Word Stars Speech Pathology, Rosie leads a team known for its evidence-based, results-oriented care. She is passionate about bridging research and clinical practice to create practical systems for assessment, planning, and meaningful outcomes.

workshop details

Friday, 29th May, 2026
9:30am-4:30pm
$559 per person
Cost is inclusive of GST and card payment fee
Includes: Full-day in-person workshop with workshop materials, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea
Questions or enquiries? Please email Rosie at rosie@wssp.com.au
or call Word Stars on 9622 1616

Refunds policy – refunds are not available. However, you can transfer your ticket to a friend or colleague.

declaration of interest

Elise Baker and Rosie Hodges are co-developers of the Toddler Emerging Speech Assessment (TESA) that includes assessment and analysis forms in addition to picture book/card stimuli. The TESA assessment and analysis forms are freely available. Elise and Rosie may benefit financially from the sale of the TESA Picture Stimuli book/cards. The workshop will include discussion of TESA alongside broader assessment approaches, and workshop participants will be encouraged to critically evaluate all tools within their clinical context.

Word Stars Professional Development Workshop Toddler Speech: Advances in assessment, analysis, target selection, and therapy planning