Frequently asked questions

Engaging a speech pathologist for the first time may be confusing for you and your child. If it has been recommended that you seek speech pathology support and would like a little more information about how we can help you, please scroll down for further information.

Types of treatment

Understanding what your child is having difficulty communicating can be a challenge for some parents and therefore it can be hard to explain your concerns to your therapist. There are a number of different areas of communication that Jess can help support. Please read further for an explanation of some areas of communication. 

Speech Sound development:

Children can have difficulty with their speech whereby they communicate the wrong sound when saying different words (e.g ‘tat’ for ‘cat’ or ‘si’ for ‘sit’). These errors in using incorrect sounds or deleting sounds from words can make children very difficult to understand and contribute to frustration when talking. The speech sound delay could range in severity from mild errors that are not age appropriate to some instances where children have motor planning difficulties and have extreme difficulty producing accurate sounds in words. 

Language development:

Receptive language – Some children have difficulty understanding spoken information. This can look like errors in following instructions or answering different questions. This can remain a challenge as the child enters structured learning environments like school and may need extra support to remain on task. Therapy can support comprehension skills and understanding of knowledge concepts which help children when following directions.

Expressive language – Some children experience difficulties communicating their message verbally. This may be due to decreased vocabulary, difficulty building sentences with accurate word choice or immature grammatical knowledge. A thorough assessment across language skills can determine which areas of language development may require therapy support.

Fluency:

Some children can develop a fluency disorder (also known as stuttering). This can be alarming to some parents as it can develop abruptly and can be severe. Treatment for stuttering disorders are now recommended to occur as soon as possible and in Happy Chatters, are prioritised above some other communication disorders. If your child is stuttering, please contact Jess to determine if there is availability for an assessment. Therapy focusses on positive communication interactions with caregivers.

What is a speech pathologist?

Speech pathologists are health professionals who work with people who have communication disorders and swallowing/eating difficulties. Happy Chatters Director, Jessica, works solely with children’s communication disorders and does not work with adults requiring speech pathology services. These paediatric communication difficulties can include problems with speaking, understanding, reading/writing and stuttering. If you would like further information, you can read this fact sheet from Speech Pathology Australia’s website about what a Speech Pathologist can do: Fact Sheets speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Do I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?

No you don’t need a referral to access speech pathology services. Anyone can see a speech pathologist for an assessment. However, your child may be eligible for a rebate through Medicare for up to 5 sessions. It is recommended that you consult with your GP to determine if your child is eligible for this rebate. If you are eligible for this funding, you will require a written referral from your GP. 

How much does it cost to see a speech pathologist?

There is a range of fees for speech pathology services. Happy Chatters is registered with Medicare and can also provide services for children with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding. If you are due Medicare rebates, claims need to be made directly with Medicare and you will need to bring your GP referral with you to your appointment. Intervention for private paying clients and clients claiming benefits through their individual health fund are also accepted. It is best to contact your health fund directly for this information. Balance of payment is due on the day of your appointment and can be made via our EFTPOS terminal.

How long does my child need to see a speech pathologist?

It is important to complete a comprehensive assessment to determine your child’s individual needs. Once it is understood what therapy is appropriate for your child, you will be able to discuss your appointment frequency and the number of sessions recommended to commence intervention.

It can be difficult to estimate a timeframe for therapy, but outcomes may be influenced by the following factors:

  • the severity and complexity of your child’s difficulty
  • how willingly and effectively your child participates in therapy sessions
  • completion of home practice in between sessions
  • frequency and consistency of attendance

Usually therapy outcomes will vary based on the type and severity of your child’s communication disorder.

 

How do I book an assessment appointment?

Reach out to Happy Chatters Director, Jessica at jessica@happychatters.com.au to discuss your child’s needs and determine if we can offer you an appointment. Assessment appointments can take 1-3 hours, depending on each child and their overall needs. Some children may require assessment in multiple areas, which will take longer. Assessment appointments are scheduled for 90 minutes but if longer is needed, the assessment may be conducted over several sessions, so that your child’s best performance can be observed.

Do you have a waiting list?

It can be difficult to find a speech pathologist with availability in the Illawarra. If you are worried about your child waiting for services, please get in touch here to find out if there is availability to offer you an assessment appointment. If we can not provide a service at the time, we may suggest alternative speech pathology contacts.