Speech pathology

Being able to communicate effectively with others and have the ability to swallow food and liquids safely are fundamental to experiencing a good quality of life.

Speech Pathologists are university-trained allied health professionals who work to improve the quality of life of anyone who has difficulties with communicating or swallowing.

At Ability Action Australia, our Speech Pathologists work within a multidisciplinary team with other health professionals to support children and adults who have difficulties with:

• Speech — correct production of the sounds in words
• Language — speaking and understanding others in a functional manner
• Voice — using the vocal cords to produce speech effectively
• Fluency — stuttering and cluttering
• Literacy — reading and writing
• Swallowing- safely consuming food and drinks

Who do Speech Pathologists support?

Speech Pathologists support people of all ages, from children living with disability to adults who have acquired a communication problem or who have had a disability from birth.

At Ability Action Australia, our Speech Pathologists can work with you or your child to assess your ability to speak and understand others before creating a customised therapy session based on your specific speech and language needs.

We work with people living with a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability.
• Degenerative neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease
• Developmental delays
• Brain injuries due to accident or illness
• Stroke
• Learning disability
• Dementia
• Hearing loss

What are the benefits?

Ongoing or intensive Speech therapy sessions can be very beneficial for people living with complex disabilities or communication difficulties.

Our Speech Pathologists can help:

• Children to learn to communicate more effectively by supporting them in asking for wants and needs independently, supporting them with using functional words and or phrases/sentences verbally or implementing a suitable Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system to supplement their expressive language,
• Adults to better participate in life by supporting them in expressing their ideas, improving their confidence in social settings, improving their fluency or managing a safeswallow.

NDIS Speech Pathology

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a way of supporting people with permanent and significant disability. The NDIS is designed to give individuals greater choice and control over when, where and how their funded supports are provided. The specific support and funding available is based on each individual’s specific needs. You can find out more about what therapeutic supports are funded by referring to the NDIS website.