Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No. You do not need to have a referral to see a Speech Pathologist. You may want to see your GP prior to attending speech pathology to see if you/your child is eligible for a "chronic disease management plan" where they may receive five Medicare rebated sessions of speech therapy
This depends on the reason you are seeking Speech Pathology. Usually, your Speech Pathologist will gather relevant case history and build rapport with your child. We require a primary caregiver to be present at all assessments. Assessment will then be geared to your child's presentation and involve informal and formal assessment as indicated.
It is difficult for parents to know this. This is why we are here to help. It may be helpful to seek evidence-based milestones prior to attending speech pathology (see below). However, parents usually know their child the best and if you are concerned, seeking a professional opinion may put your mind at ease. If there is something that needs addressing, early intervention is always recommended.
Speech Pathology Australia Language milestones: Communication Milestones (speechpathologyaustralia.org.au)
Speech Sound development: Average age children learn to pronounce English consonants correctly (csu.edu.au)
This will happen from time to time with all children. We are highly skilled at reading children's needs and will aim to change our approach based on the child's personality, demeanour and interests. We can gain a lot of information from speaking to parents and carers and observing children with their parents. Don't worry - in time, your child will become more comfortable and open up.
This is a difficult question to answer but the length of time a child will be in speech pathology will depend on the following factors:
- the nature and complexity of their communication difficulty
- their resilience and willingness to participate in activities
- their motivation
- completion of home practice
- availability and regular attendance at planned sessions
While we want to ensure that speech therapy is fun, evidence shows that attendance at 1 session per week is not enough for children to generalise and implement their speech and communication skills into every day life. 45 minutes to 1 hour of therapy is a mere 1% of your child's talking week so, like any exercise regime or change in habit, it requires practice and consistency. At Foothills Speech Pathology, we aim to incorporate home practice into everyday routines and activities to decrease the burden.
All Speech Pathologists are communication experts however we are also all individuals. Rapport and connection between a clinician and a child is paramount to success. Alignment of skills, experience and child presentation is also highly important. To that effect, Foothills Speech Pathology endeavours to meet the needs of all children on our caseload, however it is a good idea to browse our areas of clinical interest and experience to review the appropriateness of our service to meet your child's needs. Alternatively, we are always happy to chat to determine suitability.
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