Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathology Services provide assessment and treatment for children aged 0-12 years, using approaches supported by current research.
At Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathology we appreciate that children are more confident in familiar environments and as a result we provide home based services. Our therapists come to work with your child within your home, which allows us to provide advice and suggestions that can be easily carried out within your daily routine. Sessions may also be provided at daycares and schools if this is appropriate for your child.
We can provide assessment and treatment for many areas including:
- Receptive and/or Expressive Language Delays
- Articulation and Speech Sound Delays
- Feeding and Oro-motor Difficulties
- Literacy Difficulties
- Assessment and advice for Alternative and Augmentative Communication Systems (e.g. Key Word Sign, books, boards, devices)
- Referrals for Language Development Centres
Referrals
GP referrals are not required. Parents can simply ring up and schedule the appointment for their child.
Cancellations
24 hours' notice is required for cancellations. If you do not provide enough notice or fail to attend a session without contacting the therapist you will be charged 50% of the session fee.
Payment of Fees
Payment for sessions must be given on the day of the service. The therapist will be able to accept cash, credit cards and EFT payments following sessions.
Rebates
- Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathology is a registered provider with Medicare and Private Health Insurers. Rebates may be available to private healthcare members.
- Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathology accepts Medicare GP Care Plans.
- Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathology is a Government approved provider for the DSS (formerly FaHCSIA) Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.
What to Expect
Initial Consultation
The first appointment is for one hour. This session allows the therapist to gain background information about your child and to screen their current speech and language skills. Information is gathered by discussing the child’s birth, developmental and medical history, as well as the parent’s observations of the child’s speech and language skills.
For children 3 years and younger the initial session will largely consist of play activities aimed to elicit particular speech and language targets. It will also include an observation of the child playing with his/her parent.
For older children (3 years and older) the clinician may administer a formal test alongside the targeted play activities.
A one hour (initial) consultation is usually sufficient for the assessment of:
- Stuttering
- Articulation (Speech)
- Straight forward expressive language delay
Assessment
In order to direct therapy we will need clear goals to work on. An assessment will allow the therapist to highlight your child’s strengths and also areas of difficulty that need support. The number of assessment sessions required will vary depending on the child’s age and the type of difficulty they are experiencing. Children who have more complex speech and language difficulties may require 2-3 sessions to complete an assessment.
Assessment report
Please advise the therapist if a report is required. This report will outline the areas of strength and difficulties your child is having, as well as recommendations to help support your child.
Additional documentation (e.g. letters to support application for an Education Assistant, letters for lawyers, applications for equipment etc.) can be requested for a fee. Please speak to your therapist for a quote.
Therapy
Children learn best when activities are fun and interactive. That’s why Skills 2 Talk Speech Pathologists ensure that speech and language goals are targeted through play based activities. Therapists will also work alongside the child’s family to embed strategies into the family’s routine, so that working on the child’s speech and language skills can be carried out easily every day!