Services
Please find below a range of services offered by our speech pathologists. If there is something you are after that is missing, please feel free to contact us today!
Early Intervention
Every child learns to talk by playing with sounds and words, listening to people talk and by talking to others. Children begin their language journey from the moment they are born. Children first develop their receptive language skills (understanding what they hear), followed by the development of their expressive language skills (speaking). Some children might experience speech delays, requiring us to assist with their language development. Speech therapy for early intervention focuses on social interactions, early language skills and play skills.
Language Therapy
Language refers to a child’s listening and talking skills. While children develop their language skills at different rates, there is a general pattern which a child’s language develops. Language therapy can focus on many areas including; following instructions, grammar, sentence structure, social communication skills (pragmatics), high level language and reading comprehension.
Speech Therapy
Speech refers to the pronunciation of sounds. Even though children develop individually, there is a general pattern a child develops their sounds. Children’s speech becomes clearer gradually as they hear and learn new sounds. When a child is having difficulties producing some sounds that are expected for their age they may be difficult to understand. Some children require that extra support to be able to produce certain sounds. Some areas in speech therapy include: articulation disorders (such as a lisp), phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech and dysarthria.
Fluency (Stuttering)
Literacy
A crucial part of a child’s development is learning to read and write. The skill of being literate means the individual can understand and follow written instructions, search for information online or in books, write letters, emails and text messages. Being literate also means that a child is able to fully participate in their education and learning. Children with reading difficulties at school may have difficulties with academic performance, peer relations and self esteem. Speech pathologist are a useful part of any literacy team and can assist in the following areas: assessment and intervention in areas relevant to literacy such as phonological awareness and functional reading skills, work with preschools, schools and families providing strategies in order to support a child’s literacy development.
Multimodal Communication
Multimodal communication refers to communicating using a variety of methods including verbal language, key word sign and different types of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Everyone has the right to communicate their thoughts, ideas, wants and needs. Speech pathologist help individuals discover and develop the modes of communication to assist with finding their voice and developing effective communication.
Feeding
Feeding can be a wonderful and social experience from birth. However for some families, mealtimes may be complicated and stressful due to many factors, such as food aversions and refusals. Speech pathologist can assist through providing appropriate feeding therapy such as introducing new ways for a child to try new foods and textures.
Social Skills
Social communication involves a range of elements, including using language for different reasons (e.g. Greeting, request), changing language for the listener or situation (e.g. Giving more/less information, speaking louder when needed) and following common rules for conversations (e.g. Turn taking, staying on topic). Speech pathologist work with both children and adults who have difficulties with social communication by supporting their communication with listeners in different environments such as home, school or work. Therapy may target greetings, understanding sarcasm, making jokes, how to change topics and so much more.
