Your child’s kinder teacher or child care worker expressed concern that your child may have a problem with certain speech or language skills. Or perhaps while talking to your child, you notice an occasional stutter. You’re not sure that your child has a problem -what should you do?

Whatever your particular circumstances, it’s wise to intervene quickly. A speech and language assessment conducted by a certified Speech Pathologist can help you determine the nature of your child’s difficulties.

What is Speech Therapy?

For children, speech therapy is the treatment of communication disorders such as speech sound disorders, language disorders, voice disorders or stuttering. Speech sound disorders refer to a problem with the actual pronunciation of sounds to the point where other people can't understand what is being said. Language disorders can be receptive and/or expressive. That is, your child may have difficulty understanding what others say and/or difficulty putting words together to use in a meaningful or socially appropriate way. Voice disorders refer to problems with the pitch, volume, nasality or the quality of your child’s voice. Stuttering or a fluency disorder affects the flow of your child’s speech. Their speech may be interrupted by abnormal stoppages, repetitions or prolonged sounds and syllables.

What are Speech Pathologists?

Speech Pathologists, who are often informally known as speech therapists, are professionals educated in the study of the development and disorders of communication. They hold at least a Bachelor degree and may be a Member of Speech Pathology Australia. Speech Pathologists assess and treat communication disorders.

What does speech therapy involve?

Speech therapy involves having a Speech Pathologist work with you and your child on a one-one basis or in a small group to treat the communication disorder that exists. Therapy may also include the provision of a home program. Speech Pathologists work best when parents, the Speech Pathologist and other involved agencies form a partnership to practice specific tasks both in the clinic setting and at home. A variety of therapeutic strategies are used when treating children including:

  • Play based therapy
  • Parent training strategies
  • Use of music, rhyme, song and book reading
  • Specific therapeutic techniques.

Parents are usually present in therapy sessions so that they can learn the skills required to assist their children at home.

Therapy may be offered weekly, fortnightly or on a review basis depending on the nature of the communication disorder.

Therapy needs and options are usually discussed with the family prior to its commencement.

When should therapy begin?

Therapy should begin as soon as possible. Children enrolled in therapy early in their development (younger than 3 years) tend to have better outcomes than older children who have developed problems that may have become a habit.

Speech Therapy for children in the City of Boroondara

Preschool children within the City of Boroondara can access speech therapy through the Inner East Community Health Service. However, children who have a diagnosis or who have global developmental delay are not eligible for this service as their needs are better met by Early Intervention programs. The Intake Worker for Early Intervention in the Eastern Region can be contacted on 1300 662 655 if this applies to your child. For older children, parents need to contact their primary school to ask for a Speech Pathology assessment or seek an assessment from a private Speech Pathologist. Refer to listings in the Yellow Pages, via the Speech Pathology Australia website www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au or contact our Intake worker for a list of local private Speech Pathologists.

To enquire about Speech Pathology at the Inner East Community Health Service please telephone our Intake worker on 9420 9118. Please note that a referral from a health professional is not required.

Some fees for service do apply, however clients will not be refused a service based on their inability to pay.