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NDIS Speech Pathology & Therapy

Being able to communicate effectively with others and having the ability to safely swallow food are fundamental to 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 NDIS speech pathologists work within a multidisciplinary healthcare team with other 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

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Female speech pathologist working with boy on pronunciation

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.

As a leading NDIS speech pathology provider, we work with people living with a variety of conditions, including:

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and 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

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. These sessions offer a structured and supportive environment for individuals to develop and improve their communication skills, which in turn can help to enhance their overall quality of life.

Our NDIS 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 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 safe swallow

Speech therapy sessions can also have a positive impact on the psychological health of both children and adults. For individuals living with communication difficulties, not being able to express oneself effectively or understand others can lead to frustration, anxiety, and social isolation. Speech therapy can help individuals to develop better communication skills, which in turn can lead to improved self-confidence, self-esteem, and a greater sense of belonging within the community.

Are you ready to get started? It’s easy!

You can fill out our easy online referral form

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You can talk to a person at our concierge service

PHONE 1800 238 958

You can email us with what you need or to find out more

EMAIL US

Why choose us?

Achieve your goals

We deliver a range of NDIS therapeutic supports and services to help you meet your NDIS goals. We will work with you to understand your needs and then deliver the outcomes you desire.

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Local allied health professionals

Our local clinicians will come to you. Or you can come to us. It’s easy. Check out our locations page to see if we have a clinician in your local area. Then call to make an appointment. It’s that simple.

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Multidisciplinary Care

Multidisciplinary care is when a team of health professionals with different skills collaborate to support as many of your needs as possible. Our multidisciplinary team can support you reach your goals!

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Speech Pathology Frequently Asked Questions

What is speech pathology?

Speech pathology is a healthcare field that helps people who have trouble with communication or swallowing. Speech pathologists, also known as speech therapists, work with people of all ages to diagnose and treat speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders.

As well as providing ongoing support, speech pathologists work closely with individuals, families, and caregivers to develop personalised treatment plans that aim to improve communication and swallowing abilities and enhance quality of life. These treatment plans may include a variety of techniques and strategies, such as exercises to strengthen the muscles used in speech and swallowing, modifications to the texture or consistency of foods and liquids to make swallowing easier and safer, and alternative communication methods such as assistive technology.

What types of disorders do speech pathologists treat?

Speech pathologists diagnose and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. They play a crucial role in helping individuals to manage these issues and improve their quality of life.

Disorders that speech pathologists treat may include:

Speech sound disorders, such as stuttering, lisps, or difficulty producing certain sounds.
Language disorders, which can impact a person’s ability to understand or express themselves verbally or in writing.
Voice disorders.
Fluency disorders.
Swallowing disorders, which can lead to difficulties with eating or drinking.

What is the process for receiving speech pathology services?

If you are interested in receiving NDIS speech pathology services with Ability Action Australia, contact our Concierge Team to get started. At your first consultation, a speech pathologist will conduct an assessment to evaluate your communication or swallowing abilities, identify any areas of concern, and discuss your goals for therapy. Based on this evaluation, the speech pathologist will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

NDIS speech therapy sessions may be conducted in-person, online, or a combination of both, depending on your location and preferences. Your progress will be regularly monitored, and your treatment plan may be adjusted as needed to ensure that you are making progress towards your goals. Ability Action Australia’s approach prioritises working with you every step of the way to provide support and guidance, and to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

How can speech pathology help individuals with swallowing disorders?

Speech pathology can be very helpful for individuals with swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia. An NDIS speech pathologist can evaluate the individual’s swallowing abilities, including identifying any physical or neurological issues that may be impacting their ability to swallow. Based on this evaluation, the speech pathologist can develop a personalised treatment plan that may include exercises to improve the strength and coordination of the muscles used in swallowing, modifications to the texture or consistency of foods and liquids, and other strategies to make swallowing safer and more comfortable.

Speech pathologists may also work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, to ensure that individuals with swallowing disorders are receiving adequate nutrition and hydration. With speech pathology intervention, individuals with swallowing disorders may be able to improve their swallowing abilities, reduce the risk of aspiration and other complications, and enjoy a better quality of life.