SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Speech Pathologists assess, diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders.

At Flow Speech Pathology we offer assessment and intervention for a range of communication and feeding disorders.

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Communication Differences

Speech Disorders

Speech disorders can occur when someone has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or being difficult to understand.
Speech disorders can be related to developmental differences, genetic conditions, neurological disorders, hearing loss or physical impairments. 
Our Speech Pathologists can assess your child’s speech sound development and provide evidence based intervention to support them to communicate their messages effectively.

Language Disorders

Involves difficulties using or understanding language and includes Receptive Language and Expressive Language differences.

    • Receptive Language includes skills such as understanding vocabulary, answering questions, following instructions, understanding concepts (i.e. size, colour, time, quantity etc) and making inferences.
    • Expressive Language includes skills such as expressing one’s thoughts and needs, asking questions, telling stories, using sentences with appropriate vocabulary and grammar.

    Stuttering

    Refers to the disruption of the flow of speech. An individual may repeat syllables or whole words, they may stretch or prolong a word, or they may not be able to elicit a word at all and pause mid-sentence.

      At Flow, we utilise evidence-based fluency interventions to support the individual in managing their fluency and communicating their messages effectively.

      Voice Disorders

      Includes voice related issues such as hoarseness, vocal nodules, vocal cord paralysis and other conditions affecting the voice.

        Pragmatic Language

        Pragmatic language refers to the social use of language including how language is used in different settings to communicate and interact with others effectively. At Flow, we aim to support the individual in communicating their messages in a way that is authentic to them.

          Augmentative and Alternative Communication

          AAC refers to a set of tools and strategies to supplement or replace communication for people who struggle to communicate with spoken language. Some types of AAC include:

            • Communication Apps which include a symbol library and text-to-speech features.
            • Picture Communication Systems (such as images, icons or symbols) to represent a word or message.
            • Gestures and Sign such as Kew Word Sign or Ausland when the individual communicate through hands gestures.

            Use and implementation of AAC is a highly personalized process and depends on the users’ abilities, communication needs and preferences.

            Literacy Development

            Speech Pathologists can assess and explore specific areas of difficulty a child may be experiencing within their literacy development. Included may be phonological awareness (sound awareness), vocabulary, comprehension, decoding and spelling skills.

              Our Speech Pathologists are trained in the Sounds Write Structured Synthetic Phonics program and work closely with the child’s teachers to ensure a holistic and collaborative approach to their literacy intervention.

               

              FUNDING

              We offer speech therapy and occupational therapy funded through:

              NDIS – We accept self-managed and plan managed participants.

              Medicare – We accept clients referred to Flow Speech Pathology by their GP under a Chronic Disease Management Plan. Please check your eligibility for this program with your GP.

              Private Health Insurance – Please check with your health insurance company to see if you’re eligible to claim speech therapy.