Craniofacial Australia presents Dr Jessica Boyce, a Speech Pathologist based in Melbourne, Victoria who hosted our Cleft Aware webinar series.
February - March 2025
Watch the recorded sessions below to gain valuable insights into speech development, therapy, and support for children with cleft conditions.
Did you know that around half of patients with a cleft palate will need some form of Speech and Language Therapy? There is a critically unmet need in Australia, with too many children slipping through the cracks.
Craniofacial Australia invites you to watch "Cleft Aware", a series of 4 videos, offering parents the perfect space to delve into the various stages of Speech and Language Therapy considerations for cleft lip and cleft palate affected children. You’ll learn about the latest information, gain confidence to advocate for your child and discover a community that understands you!
Dr Jessica Boyce will present current recommendations from birth to childhood. Dr Boyce has worked with children and families in private practice, community health, and at the Royal Children's Hospital. As well as being founder of Protea Therapy, Jess is a lecturer at the University of Melbourne's Master of Speech Pathology.
Topic 1: Feeding your baby before and after surgery
Topic 2: Speech and language development (0-6 years)
Topic 3: Speech and language stimulation in the first year
Topic 4: Strategies to support speech in children born with a Cleft Lip and / or Palate beyond the first year
Thank You
We thank and gratefully acknowledge the PKF Foundation, whose generous grant has contributed to developing and delivering the Cleft Aware program for the Cleft-affected community.
About our Host
DR JESSICA BOYCE
BA MSpPath PhD CPSP
Jess (she/her/hers) is a multilingual speech pathologist and provides services to families in English and Mandarin. She has a particular expertise working with children experiencing:
- Communication difficulties related to cleft lip and/or palate
- Speech sound disorders
- Difficulties learning to read
Jess has worked with children and families in private practice, community health, and at the Royal Children's Hospital. As well as working at Protea Therapy, Jess is a lecturer at The University of Melbourne's Master of Speech Pathology. Jess' PhD investigated the speech and language in children with cleft. She continues research in cleft, alongside speech, language and stuttering. Her research has led to publications in scientific journals and awards at international speaking engagements.
Outside work, Jess enjoys navigating the delightful chaos of two little ones, while trying to remember where she put her coffee.