SERVICES
Speech Pathology services provided at home, school or in the community to suit your child and family
Assessment
We provide comprehensive, strength-based assessments for children from birth to 18 years. Assessments used are a combination of standardized tests and engaging tasks incorporating play, conversation and observation. Assessments can be a one-off session to determine how your child is going or as a starting point for therapy sessions.
Assessments may be used to diagnose communication difficulties, provide information about your child's communication development and indicate whether speech therapy sessions are recommended. Finding out about your main concerns and goals for your child, your child's strengths and interests and what motivates your child will be a key focus.
If necessary, other professionals involved with your child such as teachers, medical professionals and therapists may be consulted (with your permission) to provide additional information about your child and give a more complete picture.
Therapy
Therapy sessions can be conducted at home, school or in the community. Some children may require short blocks of therapy to achieve their goals, whilst others may require more long-term support. The frequency of sessions is flexible and may be weekly, fortnightly or less often depending on your child's goals.
Home practice is essential for generalizing skills learnt in therapy sessions and ensuring maximum progress. Depending on the child or young person's age, parents are encouraged to be actively involved in therapy (either by attending in person if possible or reviewing the information provided by the Speech Pathologist after each session).
Therapy sessions aim to be fun, engaging and incorporate your child's interests.
AREAS OF SUPPORT
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Language skills involve both receptive and expressive skills.
Receptive language is the ability to process and understand language. If your child has difficulty understanding words, questions, language concepts and instructions they may have difficulty in this area.
Expressive language is the ability to communicate with words, sentences and grammar, either through spoken language or other non-verbal means such as gesture, sign language or pictures.
Language therapy can help in many areas including helping your child to: understand questions, respond appropriately, follow instructions, understand and respond to language in conversations, express needs and wants, communicate ideas, describe and tell stories and participate appropriately in the school curriculum.
SPEECH/ARTICULATION SKILLS
Speech or articulation is the ability to articulate the speech sounds to form words and sentences. Some children have trouble with a few sounds such as 's' or 'r'. Others may have many sound errors and be very difficult to understand.
Therapy can improve your child's speech clarity so they can be better understood and have improved confidence in their communication.
STUTTERING
Stuttering is a disorder that affects the fluency and rhythm of speech. It can present in different ways such as repetitions of words, sounds or phrases (e.g. Can-can-can I have a drink? or 'C-c-c-c-can I have a drink?'), blocks or pauses where the child appears to be stuck and unable to get a word out (e.g. 'Can I------have a drink?) or prolongations where sounds are lengthened or stretched (eg. 'Caaaaaaan I have..'). Stuttering treatments are highly effective, particularly when commenced in the preschool years.
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NEURODIVERGENT SUPPORT
Many children and young people diagnosed with Autism and ADHD require support with developing language skills as well as navigating social situations and friendships.
Social skills supports could include: educating your child about their own unique communication style and that of others, learning about the strengths and weaknesses of different communication styles and how they interact, helping your child express themselves and learning skills to advocate for their needs. Social skills supports will be driven by your child's personal goals and will reaffirm that all neurotypes and communication styles are important and equally valid.
AAC
AAC refers to Augmentative and Alternative Communication. For some children, introducing additional communication options may be explored in consultation with the child and family. This could include use of Key Word Sign, communication boards, visuals or speech generating devices.
LITERACY
Refers to the skills needed to read, write and use written information in a variety of ways. Developing competence in reading, spelling and written language is crucial for academic progress and a child's confidence.
FEEDING
Feeding and swallowing problems can include difficulties with all aspects of eating and drinking including sucking, chewing, drinking from a cup, swallowing, food refusal, coughing and gagging. Therapy can support your child to manage food and drinks safely and work towards enjoyable mealtimes for your child and family.
VOICE
Vocal qualities such as hoarseness, loss of voice, breathiness and strained voice may indicate a possible voice disorder. Voice therapy can support your child to learn good vocal hygiene and safe and efficient use of their vocal cords.