Ph: 0488 444 177

Our Services

Talk About It Speech Pathology offers the following services:
  • Screening assessments:
    A brief 15-20 minute assessment of a child’s communication skills to determine if further in-depth assessment is required. A brief summary report will be provided.
  • Comprehensive assessments:
    The Speech Pathologist will gather information about your child’s developmental history, your concerns and your child’s communication skills through discussions, interactions, play, observation and formal and informal tests. A comprehensive written report will be provided with recommendations.
  • Intervention:
    The Speech Pathologist will work with you to develop an individualised therapy plan to support your child to build their communication.

 

These services are currently offered as a mobile service either as home visits or school visits (where approved by the school) or online via Telehealth.

See below for the communication areas we can help your child to develop.

SPEECH

Speech refers to the way we say sounds in words.

When children learn to talk, it is typical for them to mispronounce, mix up or miss sounds. For example, a child may say “I dot a wed tar” for “I got a red car”. As their speech develops, they become easier to understand and they gradually stop using any speech errors. By 4 years of age, children should be understood by almost all the people they talk with, including unfamiliar people.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss any concerns with your child’s speech development.

LANGUAGE

Language refers to the words that we understand (receptive language) and the words we use (expressive language) to communicate.

Receptive language

  • Following directions
  • Understanding questions
  • Understanding the meaning of words
  • Understanding a story

Expressive language

  • Using grammatically complete sentences
  • Telling a story
  • Expressing thoughts
  • Using specific words e.g. calling the ‘toaster’ a ‘bread cooker’

Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns with your child’s skills in any of the above language areas.

LITERACY

The ability to read and write is not a single skill but is a set of skills.

Research has shown that the five essential skills for reading success include:

  • Phonemic Awareness: The awareness that words are made up of individual sounds and that these sounds can be manipulated
  • Phonics: The knowledge of letter sound relationships e.g. the letter ‘A’ makes the sound ‘a’ as in ‘apple’
  • Fluency:  Reading with speed and accuracy (so that comprehension can be obtained and maintained when reading)
  • Vocabulary:  Knowing the meaning of a wide range of words
  • Comprehension:  Understanding the meaning and purpose of the text

Talk About It Speech Pathology is able to assess each of these areas to determine where a child is having difficulties in their literacy skills.

For more information: https://www.fivefromfive.org.au/parent-resources/

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas.

Augmentative suggests systems that are used to improve or enhance the effectiveness of communication

Alternative suggests systems that temporarily or permanently replace speech

Types of AAC can include the following; gestures, body language, sign language, writing, drawing, picture/visual systems, speech generating devices and communication boards/books.

At Talk About It Speech Pathology, we are able to discuss and trial various forms of AAC to best suit your child’s needs and abilities so that they always have access to effective communication.