Australia’s First CAS Mentorship Program for Speech Pathologists - 6 Month Program

This is more than a course — it’s a structured mentorship program for speech pathologists who want to confidently and effectively treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Led by Olga Komadina, a speech pathologist with a full-time CAS caseload of 20+ sessions per week, this program is grounded in real therapy, not just theory.

Over the past year, Olga has supervised 12 speech pathologists across Australia and provided group supervision to entire clinics. She also facilitated a national CAS peer supervision group — which sparked the need for a deeper, more consistent mentoring option.

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What’s Included

• Monthly live Q&A sessions (Australian time zones)

• 6 structured learning modules released in sequence

• Private moderated Facebook group for discussion and peer support

• Short-form feedback between sessions — including the option to submit session videos for review and receive voice or video replies from Olga

• Support with NDIS advocacy and report writing

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Optional Add-Ons

• Individual supervision sessions 

• Joint telehealth sessions with your clients

• Report review and feedback (Subject to availability)

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Why Six Months?

This model mirrors the Apraxia Kids Advanced Training Boot Camp in the U.S., which includes six months of mentorship following initial training. Research and clinical experience show that true confidence in CAS therapy builds through guided observation, feedback, and real-world practice — not just one-off webinars.

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🧠 Learning Modules - 6 Modules for 6 Months

Each module connects research to real-life application, with real therapy walkthroughs and clinical reflection.

You’ll learn how to:

• Engage a reluctant child in the first session

• Have a successful first session almost every time

• Confidently choose and adapt your therapy target words

• Confidently move up and down the CAS cueing hierarchy in-session

• Deliver engaging, play-based CAS sessions that remain flexible and responsive to each child’s needs

• Use neuroaffirming strategies that keep the child engaged and regulated

• Learn how to support children with suspected CAS to become ready for therapy

• Work with later-stage CAS and teens

• Deliver standout sessions with techniques most therapists haven’t been taught

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Module 1: Syllable Shapes & Target Selection

• Flagship, on-demand lesson available before the first meeting.

• Learn how to identify a child’s phonemic repertoire, shape early syllable patterns, and select meaningful first targets.

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Module 2: Assessment & Diagnosis

• Live teaching with interactive Q&A.

• How to assess CAS in young or hard-to-test children, adapt formal tools, build rapport, and differentiate CAS from other speech disorders.

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Module 3: Treatment of CAS

• Understand the principles of motor learning and how they apply to CAS therapy.

• Master the cueing hierarchy and know when to adjust support.

• Explore practical tips and strategies to address common characteristics of CAS in therapy.

• Shape natural stress, rhythm, and intonation.

• Keep therapy motivating, playful, and engaging.

• Learn how to apply and adapt evidence-based approaches (DTTC, ReST, Kaufman, Nuffield, and more) to meet each child’s unique needs.

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Module 4: Real Therapy in Action – Mild, Moderate & Severe CAS

• Gain access to live therapy sessions across a range of severity levels.

• Observe how different techniques look in real time with real children.

• Discuss therapy decision-making in action — pacing, cueing, scaffolding, and co-regulation.

• Reflect on what worked, why, and how to adjust strategies in the moment.

• Translate clinical principles from Module 3 into practical, real-life applications.

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Module 5: Tracking Progress & Advocacy

• How to document therapy goals and track progress effectively.

• Learn to write reports that support planning and funding (NDIS, schools, and other systems).

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Module 6: Neuroaffirming Strategies & Making Therapy Fun

• Explore what it means to deliver CAS therapy in a neuroaffirming way.

• Learn strategies to support self-regulation, autonomy, and motivation.

• Adapt therapy activities to each child’s strengths, sensory profile, and interests.

• Use play, routines, and connection to keep practice meaningful and enjoyable.

• Balance clinical goals with a child-led, affirming approach that builds confidence as well as skills.

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📘 CAS Therapy Handbook

If you would like to purchase my eBook — The Apraxia CAS Therapy Handbook: Live Examples — it can serve as a valuable companion resource throughout the mentorship. Many of the strategies we cover are outlined in the book, with real therapy examples and visuals that may help reinforce your learning.

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About Olga

Olga Komadina is a speech pathologist with 20+ years’ experience and a specialist focus on Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

She:

• Runs a full-time CAS caseload

• Provides CAS Supervision individual speech pathologists and clinics in across Australia

• Co-founded the Facebook group Apraxia NDIS Support and Advocacy

• Has co-authored position statements submitted to the NDIS and government

• In 2025, Olga completed the 4-day CAS Bootcamp in Brisbane, presented by Dr Maryane Gomez, Professor Patricia McCabe, Dr Donna Thomas, and Evyenia (Nia) Michellis. 

• Olga received 1:1 mentorship from David Hammer, the former Director of Professional Development at Apraxia Kids, the leading U.S. nonprofit dedicated to Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). He helped establish and run the highly regarded Intensive CAS Bootcamp, designed for speech pathologists with expertise in CAS. He travelled from the U.S.A. to work with her at Max’s House. Olga’s supervision and mentorship from David Hammer included live observation of her therapy sessions, real-time coaching, demonstration of therapy techniques, and feedback tailored specifically to her caseload and clinical approach, over the course of a full week.

She also:

• Learned through observing CAS specialists at Max’s House early in her career

• Spent 15 years working at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) — gaining deep experience supporting children with autism and CAS

• Received training in Positive Behaviour Support

• Regularly presents to therapists, educators, GPs, and maternal child health nurses

• Her clients include both local face-to-face families and telehealth clients across Australia and overseas. Her aim is to lift the standard of CAS therapy nationally by sharing what she’s learned.

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Program Commitment & Payment Options 

The CAS Mentorship is a 6-month structured program built around six core modules. These modules form the curriculum of the mentorship — each month you’ll work through one module, combining live teaching, discussion, and practical application.

To ensure you gain the full benefit of the curriculum and progress step-by-step alongside your peers, a 6-month commitment is required.

Flexible payment options are available:

• Monthly instalments – convenient direct debit each month

• Upfront payment – one-time payment for the full program

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Payment Options

• Monthly: $106.70/month (GST included) – billed automatically each month via direct debit.

• Upfront (discounted): $599 total (GST included) for the full 6 months — save over $40 compared to paying monthly.

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Program Commitment

• The CAS Mentorship is a 6-month structured program with six core modules.

• By enrolling, you are committing to the full 6-month program.

• Refunds are not available once the program has commenced.

• If you stop attending, you are still responsible for completing your agreed 6-month payment plan.

• If you are unable to attend a live meeting, a recording will be provided so you can catch up in your own time.

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Optional Add-Ons

• Individual supervision sessions

• Joint telehealth sessions with your clients (may be eligible for NDIS funding)

• Report review and feedback (Subject to availability)

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Program Intake

The CAS Mentorship runs in 6-month cycles. Once a program begins, enrolments close and no new members are added.

This ensures that every participant progresses through the modules together, creating a supportive peer group and a structured learning journey.

If you miss the current intake, you’re welcome to join the next round. A waitlist will be available to hold your place.

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🚀 Ready to Join?

This program is ideal for speech pathologists who:

• Have at least one CAS client and want to build clinical confidence
• Want structure, feedback, and accountability over time
• Learn best through real examples and responsive support

Spots are limited.

👇 Register your interest or contact Olga to learn more.​​​​​​​​​​​​​