Joanne Ravell is a South African Speech-Language Pathologist with nearly two decades of experience in early communication intervention, specialising in supporting infants, toddlers, and young children with communication delays, disabilities, and neurodivergent profiles, including minimally speaking and non-speaking children.

Joanne is the creator and author of the “Zippi and Zaza” educational story series, which were originally developed as a resource for the TopTots programme. The Zippi and Zaza books are proudly South African children’s resources, featuring high-quality read-along audio in English and isiZuluwith authentic South African music and sensory aspects, designed to create a multi-sensory communication and literacy experience for young learners, particularly those who benefit from visual and auditory supports. Joanne, being a vocalist from an early age; sings, narrates and illustrates the books herself, with the creative support of her guitarist husband and his recording studio. 

Joanne graduated as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in 2005 and has been working in the field since 2006. Her clinical approach is grounded in a nurturing, child-led, and neuroaffirming philosophy, with a strong focus on early intervention, functional communication, and family-centred practice. She is highly experienced in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), language development, early literacy foundations, and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Joanne runs a private practise with a team of 4 professionals, each with unique skill sets, passion and experience, to offerSLP health services to a wide range of individuals with a variety of challenges. 

Over the course of her career, Joanne has designed and implemented communication and AAC programmes for three educational centres, designed for children with individualised education needs and disabilities in KwaZulu-Natal, contributing to the dream of sustainable, inclusive communication practices within educational settings. She has also played a key role in the development and upgrading of the language components of the TopTots Parent & Child Workshop, supporting caregivers and practitioners to foster communication in everyday routines.

Joanne is registered with the HPCSA, BHF, and SASLHA, and is a valued member of the Harmony Child Assessment & Therapy Team, working within a transdisciplinary model to support children and families holistically.

In addition to her professional roles, Joanne is a mom and stepmom to four children, a perspective that deeply informs her compassionate, practical, and family-sensitive approach to therapy. She understands the realities of parenting, advocacy, and everyday life, and brings this understanding into her work with families, educators, and care teams.

Joanne remains passionate about empowering children to communicate in ways that are meaningful to them, and about equipping adults with the tools, confidence, and understanding to support each child’s unique communication journey.