FAQ & Resources

F.A.Q.

No, however, we would like to see any previous reports and important documents to make the assessment process run smoothly

Yes, we use evidence based programs to provide intervention and support for students with dyslexia. We can liaise with schools and provide home programs that work alongside our therapy.

Please feel free to contact one of our staff to arrange an assessment for your child. We are willing to help you find a time and availability that best suits your family’s needs.

Early intervention is recommended so as soon as you have any concerns that your child’s communication skills are not where they should be. We also suggest you attend all Maternal & Child Health Nurse developmental check ups as the nurses will also advise if an appointment is required.

Children would benefit from an assessment of their speech sounds if:

  • they are difficult for familiar people to understand by the age of two years
  • they are difficult for strangers to understand by the age of three years
  • they leave many sounds off the beginnings, middles or ends of words after two years of age
  • their speech sounds “slushy” or “nasally”
  • they have not developed use of the following sounds by these ages:
    • 3 years – m, n, h, p, w, d, g, y, k, f, b, t
    • 4 years – sh, ch, j, l
    • 5 years – r, v
    • 6 years – s, z
    • 7 years – th
Children develop communication skills in a predictable sequence and research has calculated the age at which most children develop different skills and the ages at which some children show signs that they need extra help. Talk to your local Maternal & Child Health Nurse if you are still unsure if your child should see a Speech Pathologist.
Yes it does matter because research has shown that children with delayed speech and language skills can go onto to have difficulty with literacy and learning. There has also been research to show that children with speech and language difficulties are more likely to have social and emotional problems and behaviour issues. Therapy to improve communication skills can reduce the risk of these issues later on.
If they are old enough for you to be concerned that they are not developing as expected they are probably not too young to benefit from support. Therapy for young children works around play based activities and supporting parents to help their child learn and can be effective for children from around 18 months. Some children who have an increased chance of having communication difficulties such as children with Down’s syndrome, autism, hearing loss and other disabilities may benefit from support even earlier.
They may or they may not. Some children do seem to “just catch up” but others have ongoing problems with learning and literacy as well as social interactions and self esteem. It is hard to tell which way a child will progress. Early intervention is recommended.

Parents often say this but it doesn’t really make sense. Many children who can’t talk go to all kinds of effort to get their point across, pointing and gesturing and making noises or working hard to try to do things all by themselves. Some also get very frustrated and maybe even have tantrums because no one understands what they want. Talking is a very useful way to get what you want and what child wouldn’t like that. It’s is also quicker and easier in most cases than communicating in other ways, so I think most kids would choose to talk if they could do so. A speech pathologist can help work out why your child is finding it hard to talk and can help them learn these skills. Some kids need alternative ways of communicating that work better than tantrums to help them express themselves and reduce their frustration while other skills are developing. A speech pathologist can help with that too.

 

My child doesn’t talk at all so how can a speech pathologist work with them? Speech pathologists work on communication which begins well before speech happens. Speech pathologists can help your child develop the skills needed to communicate and then move on to helping speech develop. Some kids also benefit from learning an alternative way of communicating such as signing or picture symbols. For most children this will be a temporary thing to reduce frustration and kick start the communication process.

 

Won’t sign language or picture communication stop my child from learning to talk? Parents often worry about this but research has shown that signing and alternative communication systems actually make children speak more quickly. It also helps a child to develop vital communication skills and confidence in their ability to express themselves and relate to others.

Yes stuttering is most effectively treated in children, though adults can benefit from therapy as well. Speech pathologists use techniques shown by research to be effective in reducing stuttering. There are techniques which work for preschool children and others that work for older children and teenagers as well.
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