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Literacy Program
Helping Children Find Their Love of Reading
When reading is a struggle, it’s rarely about effort. Many children who find reading hard have a language barrier behind the difficulty — and identifying and addressing that barrier is an area our Speech Pathology team is specifically trained for.
Services for Flourishing
At Prosper Health Collective, we know that children who struggle with reading are often working incredibly hard — and still not getting there. For some children, reading difficulties have a language basis that sits underneath the surface, and targeted, structured intervention can address what practice alone may not reach.
Our Speech Pathologists use the UFLI Foundations program — a structured, step-by-step approach to literacy built on the science of reading. Sessions are warm, engaging, and tailored to your child’s individual profile. We start where your child is, and we build from there, methodically and with care.
What is UFLI Foundations?
UFLI Foundations is a structured literacy program developed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute. It teaches children to decode words using explicit, systematic phonics instruction — an approach strongly supported by reading research.
Rather than relying on guessing, picture cues, or whole-word memorisation, children learn to read by understanding how letters and sounds connect. Skills are taught in a careful sequence, with each new concept building on what’s already secure.
Australia has been steadily moving toward structured literacy approaches in schools, and UFLI is consistent with this shift — reflecting the same evidence base now informing curriculum reforms across Australian states, including Western Australia. We use it because we believe it is a well-designed, transparent, and clinically appropriate program for the children we work with.
What Our Literacy Program Addresses?
Reading difficulties look different in every child. Our Speech Pathologists assess and works with the full range of skills that underpin reading and spelling.
Phonological Awareness
The ability to hear, identify, and work with the sounds inside spoken words — one of the strongest early predictors of reading success.
Phonics and Decoding
Learning how letters and sounds connect, and using that knowledge to read and spell words accurately and with increasing fluency.
Reading Fluency
Moving from slow, effortful decoding to reading that flows — freeing up your child's brain to focus on understanding what they read.
Oral Language Foundations
Vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills that underpin reading. For children whose literacy difficulties are rooted in language.
Spelling and Writing
Reading and spelling develop together. UFLI addresses both — building more durable skills than programs that focus on reading alone.
Language-Based Learning Difficulties
Targeted support for children with dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or phonological disorders affecting literacy.
How sessions are delivered
We offer two formats for our literacy program, depending on your child’s needs and what works best for your family.
Oral Language Foundations
Fully individualised sessions tailored to your child’s specific literacy and language profile. The pace, focus, and content are built entirely around them.
Ideal for children with more complex profiles, or those who benefit from a quieter, one-on-one learning environment.
Small Group Sessions
Groups of up to 3 children, carefully matched by skill level. Children benefit from peer learning alongside still-very-individualised instruction.
💡 A more cost-accessible option for families
All sessions run weekly and are primarily designed for children from Pre-Primary through to Year 3, with individual exceptions considered for older children presenting with foundational literacy gaps. Before beginning, we take time to understand your child’s current literacy profile so we can identify exactly the right starting point.
This program may be a good fit if your child…
Is in Pre-Primary to Year 3 (or an older child with foundational literacy gaps) and reading below where you'd expect for their age
Finds it hard to hear sounds in words, rhyme, or blend letters together
Has been receiving phonics instruction at school but isn't making expected progress
Has worked with a tutor but progress has stalled and something still isn't clicking
Has a diagnosis of dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or a phonological disorder
Had delayed speech or language development in their early years
Not sure if your child fits this picture? Get in touch — we’re happy to have a conversation and help you work out the right next step.
How it works
We make it straightforward to get started, and we keep you informed at every step.
1
Get in touch
Contact us to discuss your child and ask any questions. We'll let you know if our program sounds like a good fit.
2
Initial assessment
We assess your child's current literacy and language skills to identify where the gaps are and where to begin.
3
Weekly sessions begin
Your child starts their structured literacy program in 1:1 or small group format, at the right starting point for them.
4
Progress and review
We share regular updates with you and liaise with your child's school so everyone is working toward the same goals.
Speech Pathologists who specialise in literacy
Our Speech Pathology Team
Members of Speech Pathology Australia
Our Speech Pathologists bring training in literacy and language-based learning difficulties. Clinicians delivering this program hold UFLI Foundations training and work with children from Pre-Primary through to Year 3 who are finding reading and spelling harder than expected.
Our team’s approach is warm, systematic, and grounded in the evidence. We communicate closely with families and schools throughout the program so that progress made in sessions carries over into everyday life.
Questions about our literacy program
What is structured literacy and why does it matter?
Structured literacy is an approach to teaching reading that is explicit, systematic, and sequential. It is based on a strong body of research about how the brain learns to decode written language. Rather than relying on context clues or whole-word memorisation, structured literacy teaches children the underlying code of reading — how sounds and letters connect — in a carefully designed order. It is strongly supported by research as an effective approach for children with reading difficulties, including dyslexia, and is increasingly reflected in Australian curriculum and educational policy.
Why see a Speech Pathologist for literacy support, rather than a tutor?
Reading is deeply rooted in oral language — the ability to hear and manipulate sounds, understand vocabulary, and process complex sentences. Speech Pathologists receive clinical training in these language skills and how they connect to literacy. When a child’s reading difficulties have a language basis, a Speech Pathologist can assess for potential contributing factors and deliver targeted intervention addressing those areas directly, rather than focusing on reading practice alone. That said, tutoring and Speech Pathology support can work well together — we’re happy to liaise with tutors who are already involved.
How is my child's starting point determined?
Before sessions begin, Your Speech Pathologist will assess your child’s current literacy and language skills. This allows us to identify exactly where their phonics knowledge is secure and where the gaps are — so we can start at precisely the right point in the UFLI sequence rather than guessing or starting from the very beginning unnecessarily.
How long will my child need to attend?
This varies depending on your child’s profile and where they start. Literacy development takes time and consistency, and we won’t promise a quick fix. What we can tell you is that we’ll be honest with you about your child’s progress, review goals regularly, and adjust the program as needed. We’ll work with you to set realistic expectations from the outset.
Can my child's school be involved?
Yes — and we encourage it. With your consent, your Speech Pathologist is happy to liaise with your child’s classroom teacher or learning support team to ensure that what’s being worked on in sessions is reinforced at school. Coordinated support is generally associated with stronger outcomes, and we find it helps families too.
What funding options are available?
Please contact us to discuss funding options relevant to your situation. We recommend getting in touch directly so we can give you accurate, up-to-date information.
Find us near you
Our literacy sessions are available at our clinic locations across Perth. We have three convenient locations north and south of the river.
Booragoon
Unit 107, 150 Riseley St, Booragoon — across from Garden City Shopping Centre.
Canning Vale
Unit 4, 259 Bannister Road, Canning Vale, inside Canning Healthcare.
Stirling
Unit 15, 51 Cedric St, Stirling, nestled amongst cafes and local businesses.