📍 Thornlands, SE Brisbane

Ready to learn at your best?

Specialist Speech Pathology for reading, spelling, and written language difficulties. Evidence-based assessment and therapy, in a clinic that knows this space inside out.

Free 15-Min Call Online Inquiry Form

Meet Our Team

Thornlands, Brisbane · Est. 2020

Lachlan Heiner

Clinical Director

Monica Antolini

Speech Pathologist

Mackayla Paul

Speech Pathologist

Zara Limmer-Rhodes

Speech Pathologist

Sarah Brittain

Administrator

You're in the right place if…

Does any of this sound familiar?

These are the exact things people tell us on their first call. If they land, you're not alone — and there's a clear path forward.

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"They're clearly capable — but reading and writing don't show it"

The gap between what you know they can do and what ends up on the page is frustrating and confusing.

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Spelling practised, worked on — and still not sticking

The same words come out wrong no matter how much effort goes in. Drilling isn't working because something deeper isn't being addressed.

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Reading and writing take far longer than they should

What others do quickly takes real effort. It affects school, work, and everyday life in ways that are hard to explain.

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"They've been told to just try harder"

They've worked hard. They've tried harder. Your gut tells you there's something more going on — and you're probably right.

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Avoiding anything that involves reading or writing

Not laziness — the accumulated weight of things that feel hard and embarrassing. Avoidance is a signal, not a character flaw.

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You want real answers, not just a label

You need to understand what's actually happening — a specific picture of where the gaps are, and a clear path for what to do next.

We hear these every week. These aren't signs of laziness or low intelligence — they're the exact patterns we're trained to identify and treat. Most people feel relief just from having the right name for what they're experiencing.

📞 Free 15-Min Call Online Inquiry Form

What we offer

Support from assessment to real progress

Everyone is different. We start by understanding your needs, then build an approach that actually fits into your life.

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Comprehensive Literacy Assessment

A thorough evaluation of reading, spelling, and language skills — with a full written report and documentation you can actually use.

Standardised Testing · Full Report · Letters & Reports

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Reading & Decoding Therapy

Evidence-based structured literacy sessions addressing the root cause of reading difficulties. Systematic, phonics-informed, and adapted to each person's profile.

Spelling & Written Expression

Targeted support covering spelling rules, sentence structure, grammar, and written fluency — for anyone who struggles to get their ideas on paper.

Weekly or Fortnightly

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Liaison & Reporting

Communication with schools, workplaces, or other health professionals — translating assessment findings into practical strategies and support plans.

Included with assessment

How it works

What happens when you reach out

No pressure, no jargon. Just a clear path from your first message to real progress.

Free 15-Min Phone Chat

Tell us about your situation. We'll listen, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether we think we can help.

Initial Consult

Meet your clinician. Discuss your concerns, goals, and make a plan together. No commitment required yet — if you like your plan, go ahead. If not, it's just the one appointment.

Assessment

If you need it, complete a comprehensive assessment with the same clinician. We select the best tests for you based on what you told us in the initial consult.

Results

Get real answers to your questions and hear how to make things better. This is also where you collect your report if you'd like one.

Therapy That Fits Your Life

It's nice to know why things have been hard — but it feels even better to make real progress. Keep going with a personalised treatment plan based on your goals.

Free 15-Min Call Online Inquiry Form

Meet the Founder

Specialists who only work in this space

SPA Certified
Practising Member Speech Pathology Australia

Hi — I'm Lachlan, and I founded the clinic in 2020 after noticing there were almost no quality supports in SE Brisbane for people with learning difficulties — particularly those being left behind at school.

I hold a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) from the University of Queensland and am a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. I've worked across a wide variety of settings and clients, but I'm most passionate about helping people learn at their best.

My approach is to take a complex situation and break it into small, manageable steps. I guide families through the whole journey and apply the best evidence-based practices to get results that last.

✓ B.SpPath (Hons) · Uni of Queensland

✓ SPA Certified Practising

✓ NDIS Eligible Provider

✓ Structured Literacy Specialist

✓ Clinic founded 2020

✓ SE Brisbane Local

Google Reviews

What Brisbane families actually say

Reviews across our whole team — because trust isn't just about one person.

💡 Getting clarity

🤝 Long-term care

😊 Child engagement

⭐ Whole team

★★★★★

"We've had a truly exceptional experience working with Monica at the Learning and Literacy Clinic. From the very first session, it was clear that Monica is not only highly knowledgeable in her field, but also incredibly compassionate and attentive to my child's individual needs."

Chloe Rae

Google Review · Monica Antolini

Compassionate care

★★★★★

"I highly recommend Lachlan at the Learning and Literacy Clinic. He is highly skilled and knowledgeable in all learning and literacy programs. He is very professional, also very friendly, kind and funny. My son loves going to his sessions. 10/10 in all aspects."

Alison Shaw

Google Review · Lachlan Heiner

Child engagement

★★★★★

"We had been a bit lost with our son's reading and writing but we had him assessed with Zara and we are so impressed with her knowledge and advice for our son. Thank you Zara!"

Robyn Gauldie

Google Review · Zara Limmer-Rhodes

Getting clarity

★★★★★

"We have been going here for over a year now and they are very friendly and professional, my son loves attending his lessons here. Very relaxed feeling. Lachlan is very encouraging towards my son as he learns and this makes him feel comfortable. I can't recommend them enough."

Christina Brown

Google Review · Lachlan Heiner

Long-term care

★★★★★

"Mackayla is amazing. Helped my son so much with his confidence in reading. Sarah is so helpful with changing appointments! Cannot recommend enough."

Kym Howard-Clark

Google Review · Mackayla Paul & Sarah Brittain

Whole team

★★★★★

"Zara is amazing — this is the third speech clinic I have tried and will stick with them. It's the first time my son has stayed engaged through the whole appointment."

Sandy Drinan

Google Review · Zara Limmer-Rhodes

Child engagement

★★★★★

"The team really helped my son out with diagnosis and ongoing therapy — they really listen to you and explain everything from start to finish. Looking forward to future therapy."

Jessica Liseo

Google Review · The whole team

Getting clarity

📞 Free 15-Min Call Online Inquiry Form

Questions

Things parents always ask

Do I need a referral?

No referral needed to contact us directly. A GP referral can unlock Medicare rebates — we can walk you through this on the free call.

Does the person I'm inquiring for need an assessment first?

We work this out together in your initial consult. We'll tell you honestly whether a full assessment is the right first step, or whether we can begin therapy straight away.

How long will therapy take?

It depends on the person and what they want to achieve. We review regularly and report what we're seeing. Most people notice meaningful progress in just a few months.

What's the difference between a Speech Path vs. a tutor?

Speech Pathologists are university-qualified professionals. They can diagnose and treat the underlying issues that come with learning difficulties. On the other hand, there are no standard qualifications needed to become a tutor, so the same quality cannot be guaranteed.

Are NDIS-funded sessions available?

Yes — Speech Pathology is an NDIS eligible service. We support self-managed and plan-managed participants.

They already see a tutor. Is it worth doing this too?

Often yes. Many families find the additional guidance and structured programs we do will unlock more progress than before.

📞 Free 15-Min Call Online Inquiry Form

Get in touch

Online Inquiry Form

Prefer to reach out in writing? Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Your name *

Phone number *

Email address *

I'm inquiring for… *

What can we help you with? *

How did you find us?

✅

Thank you — we'll be in touch soon.

We aim to respond within one business day. If you need to speak with someone sooner, call us on (07) 3214 3651.

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Prefer to call?

(07) 3214 3651

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Email us directly

info@learningandliteracyclinic.com.au

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Visit us

Paradise Gardens Shopping Centre
T16/128–144 Boundary Road
Thornlands QLD 4164

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Response time

Usually within 15 minutes

Ready to learn at your best?

Does any of this sound familiar?

"They're clearly capable — but reading and writing don't show it"

Spelling practised, worked on — and still not sticking

Reading and writing take far longer than they should

"They've been told to just try harder"

Avoiding anything that involves reading or writing

You want real answers, not just a label

Support from assessment to real progress

Comprehensive Literacy Assessment

Reading & Decoding Therapy

Spelling & Written Expression

Liaison & Reporting

What happens when you reach out

Free 15-Min Phone Chat

Initial Consult

Assessment

Results

Therapy That Fits Your Life

Specialists who only work in this space

What Brisbane families actually say

Things parents always ask

The first step is just a conversation

Online Inquiry Form

Thank you — we'll be in touch soon.