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Bianca Tidey is an accreditied Speech Pathologist with specialised expertise in the complex cognitive-communication, speech, voice, and swallowing challenges that affect individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, connective tissue disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Understanding that EDS presents unique complications often overlooked in traditional speech pathology practice, she brings deep knowledge of how connective tissue laxity impacts oral motor function, vocal cord stability, and swallowing mechanics. She also applies her expertise to the management of cognitive-communication deficits associated with EDS, including impairments in attention, memory, and executive functioning, to facilitate effective communication and promote sustained participation in meaningful social interactions.
Her clinical practice addresses the intricate relationship between hypermobility, postural instability, and communication function, recognising that individuals with EDS often present with multifaceted challenges that require specialised assessment and intervention approaches tailored to their unique physiological needs.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Bianca has extensive experience working with individuals across the EDS spectrum, understanding how different subtypes present with varying degrees of oral motor, laryngeal, and pharyngeal involvement. Her approach recognises that traditional speech therapy techniques may need significant modification for individuals with connective tissue disorders.
She specialises in addressing the common but often unrecognised voice changes associated with EDS, including vocal instability, chronic hoarseness, and voice fatigue. Her understanding of how laryngeal hypermobility affects vocal fold function allows her to develop targeted interventions that support vocal cord stability and improve voice quality.
Complex Dysphagia in Connective Tissue Disorders
Understanding that swallowing difficulties in EDS often stem from pharyngeal and esophageal hypermobility, Bianca has developed expertise in assessing and managing dysphagia presentations that don't follow typical neurological patterns. Her approach considers how connective tissue laxity affects swallowing coordination, muscle tone, and the timing of swallowing phases. Her interventions focus on compensatory techniques and dietary modifications that support both swallowing safety, nutritional adequacy, and enjoyable mealtimes.
For Neurodiversity, ADHD & ASD
Bianca offers specialised support for neurodivergent individuals, with a focus on enhancing communication and social connection in those with Autism and ADHD. She works collaboratively with clients to build skills in identifying and expressing emotions, interpreting non-verbal cues, and engaging in meaningful, reciprocal conversations. Bianca’s approach is strengths-based and tailored to individual communication profiles, supporting clients to connect with others in ways that feel authentic, empowering, and sustainable across home, school, and community settings.
For Cognitive-Communication Difficulties/Fatigue Management
Bianca provides targeted support for individuals experiencing cognitive-communication difficulties in the context of chronic fatigue, including conditions such as ME/CFS and long COVID. She recognises the impact of cognitive fatigue, reduced processing speed, and limited energy reserves on a person’s ability to engage in conversation and maintain social relationships. Bianca’s approach prioritises energy-conserving communication strategies and adaptive techniques to support meaningful interaction without exacerbating symptoms. Her therapy is guided by the individual’s capacity on any given day, helping clients maintain connection and self-expression while managing the fluctuating demands of chronic illness.
Orofacial Function
Bianca's specialised training in orofacial myology provides valuable expertise for addressing the oral motor complications frequently seen in hypermobility disorders. She understands how oral structures dysfunction, common in EDS, affects speech articulation, voice production, and swallowing function.
Her treatment approaches address tongue posture abnormalities, jaw instability, and facial muscle weakness that commonly impact individuals with connective tissue disorders. She develops targeted exercises and techniques that support improved oral motor function while considering the unique limitations and precautions necessary for hypermobile individuals.
Patient Care Philosophy
Bianca believes in validating the complex and often dismissed symptoms experienced by individuals with connective tissue disorders. She understands that many clients have experienced years of undiagnosed or misunderstood symptoms, and she creates a supportive environment where their experiences are acknowledged and addressed with specialised expertise.
Her approach emphasises education about how EDS affects communication and swallowing function, helping clients understand their symptoms and develop effective self-management strategies. She recognises that individuals with EDS often need modified approaches to therapy that account for their unique physiological challenges and energy limitations. Through individually tailored interventions, she strives to optimise functional outcomes and enhance overall quality of life for her clients.