Frequently Asked Questions

  • A speech pathologist or speech therapist is a university-trained allied health professional. They assess and treat individuals experiencing difficulties with:

    • Language production and comprehension

    • Speech sound production (articulation)

    • Social communication and play skills

    • Literacy (reading, spelling, writing)

    • Stuttering

    • Feeding and swallowing

    • Voice quality

  • Your child should see a speech pathologist if:

    • You or others (such as a health professional or teacher) are concerned about their feeding and/or communication skills

    • Your child is not reaching their feeding and communication milestones 

    • Your child is demonstrating difficulties with concentration and behavioural problems

    • Your child is not showing interest in communicating or interacting with others

    • Your child is having difficulty with learning at preschool or school

    A speech pathologist will be able to assess your child’s skills and determine whether these skills are age-appropriate or not, and can then recommend the next steps.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all approach as every child is different and each child’s feeding and or communication difficulties may be contributed by a number of factors. However, research shows early intervention is recommended and the support our children receive in the early years has a major effect on their health and social development through to adulthood.

  • In your first session with a speech pathologist, they may:

    • Ask about your child’s communication and/or feeding problems.

    • Take a comprehensive case history to find out more about your child’s strengths and needs.

    • Observe your child and perform some informal and formal assessment to gain a clearer understanding of what their communication and/or feeding needs are.

    • After the assessment, the speech pathologist may take some time to look over the assessment results. They will discuss the assessment results with you and collaborate with you, to develop specific therapy goals and a tailored plan for your child.

    • They may also obtain your consent to contact other services that your child may be engaged with (including educators, specialists, other allied health clinicians), to support all areas of your child’s development.

  • Speech therapy techniques are evidence based and may vary depending your child's age, needs and area/s of difficulty. Therapy is child and family centred and family members are encouraged to be involved in the sessions where possible, to ensure that practise can be embedded within daily routines. Therapists may use interactive games, exercises or specialised therapy tools to engage your child in learning and building their communication and feeding skills.

  • The duration of speech therapy depends on the child's individual needs. Some children show improvement within a few months, while others may need ongoing support for several years.

  • No, anyone can place a child’s name down for an assessment or therapy. No referral is required. However, if you would like to access a medicare rebate you can discuss this with your GP.

  • Yes, we accept NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) patients. To be eligible for services, you must be self-managed or plan-managed under the NDIS.

  • We accept NDIS Plan Managed and Self Managed patients.

    We also accept private paying patients.

    Ask your GP about your child’s eligibility for a CDM plan, whereby the cost of private therapy may be subsidized for HIC-registered allied health services.

    For more information, please click here.

  • If you would like to make an appointment or learn more about our services, please give us a call or send us an email.

  • NSW Government provides translated information in multiple languages about speech pathology services for people and carers.

  • Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate near you.