SPEECH PATHOLOGY
A Speech Pathologist is a highly trained professional who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and helping individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. ​
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Speech disorders
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Language disorders
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Fluency disorders
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Cognitive communication disorders
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Swallowing disorders
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​Early intervention
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Augmentative and alternative communication
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Collaboration
SPEECH DISORDERS Speech Pathologists work with individuals who have difficulty producing speech sounds correctly. They will assess and treat speech disorders such as articulations disorders (difficulty pronouncing sounds), phonological disorders (patterns of sound errors), and apraxia of speech (motor planning difficulties for speech).
LANGUAGE DISORDERS Speech Pathologists address challenges related to language comprehension and expression. They help individuals improve their vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and overall language skills. This includes working with children who have language delays or disorders, and adults who may have acquired language difficulties due to stroke or other conditions.
FLUENCEY DISORDERS Speech Pathologists assist individuals who struggle with fluency, such as stuttering. They provide strategies to manage and improve fluency and help individuals communicate more smoothly.
COGNITIVE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Speech Pathologists support individuals with cognitive-communication impairments resulting from conditions like traumatic brain injury, dementia, or stroke. They help improve memory, problem-solving skills, attention, and overall cognitive-communication abilities.
SWALLOWING DISORDERS (DYSPHAGIA) Speech Pathologists assess and treat difficulties related to swallowing, ensuring that individuals can eat and drink safely. They develop strategies to improve swallowing function and reduce the risk of aspiration.
EARLY INTERVENTION Speech Pathologists work with children who may be experiencing communication delays or disorders from a young age. Early intervention can significantly improve speech and language outcomes for children in future years.
AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC) Speech Pathologists assist individuals who have severe communication disorders in finding alternative ways to communicate, such as through communication devices, sign language, or other visual aids.
COLLABORATION Speech Pathologists often collaborate with other professionals such as Doctors, Teachers, Occupational Therapists, and Psychologists to provide comprehensive care to individuals with complex needs.
FEE SCHEDULE
Accepting NDIS participants, private, and Medicare​
NDIS
OT/SP: $193.99 per hour
PRIVATE SERVICES &
CLINICAL SUPERVISION RATES
$175 per hour
MEDICARE
$175.00 per hour and $56.00 rebate under Medicare
HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES
Your journey with us: If you are interested in any of the services Functional Therapy offer, see below steps on how to access services for your child.
1) FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION. Fill in the ‘contact us’ form to contact FUNctional Therapy if you have further questions, or to see if Functional Therapy are the right fit for your child and family. Depending on your child’s needs, a phone call or face-to-face meet & greet session may be offered by the clinician to determine clinician suitability to the child before the referral and service agreement is completed.
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2) REFERRAL. Complete the below relevant referral form and service agreement to begin accessing services. We will process your referral, add you to the waitlist, and be in contact regarding current wait times.
3) APPOINTMENT. Based on your preference for appointment days/times, we will try to find a suitable appointment slot with one of our clinicians and book in your child’s first appointment either at your home or your child's learning environment.
4) STAY IN THE LOOP. Your clinician will provide ongoing updates about your child’s progress and complete a review report at the end of the child’s plan ready for their review meeting.