You may have heard the term “speech pathologist” through a recommendation from a friend, a referral by your GP, or during a search for speech therapy. But what exactly is a speech pathologist, and what do they do?

A speech pathologist is a trained health professional who specialises in assessing and treating communication and speech disorders. They work with both children and adults to address a wide range of challenges, including:

– Articulation disorders

– Stuttering

– Voice disorders

– Receptive (understanding) language disorders

– Expressive (use) language disorders

– Early language development

– Feeding and swallowing difficulties

– Literacy skills

In addition to these areas, speech pathologists also support adults with conditions such as cognitive-communication disorders, aphasia, and dysarthria.

Our Approach at WA Speech

At WA Speech, our speech pathologists use individualised assessments tailored to each child’s unique needs. These assessments can include formal, standardised tests, play-based evaluations for early intervention, and observations in various environments such as home and school. We also engage in discussions with parents to understand the child’s needs, set functional goals, and identify any difficulties faced at home or in the community.

Developing a Personalised Plan

After the assessment, our speech pathologists develop a customised intervention plan. This plan considers the child’s strengths and challenges, the family’s primary goals, and the child’s responsiveness to different therapies. Our goal is to create a plan that is both functional and effective for the child and their family.

Key Elements of Our Therapy Plans

– Involve the family and key individuals in the child’s life to create and implement the therapy plan.

– Clearly explain the therapy process and discuss progress and challenges with the family.

– Collaborate with teachers, other allied health professionals, and key individuals in the child’s care team to ensure alignment of goals and strategies.

– Support the family in implementing strategies and scaffolding at home.

– Include the child’s interests and motivators to keep them engaged in the therapy process.

At WA Speech, we are dedicated to helping children become confident communicators by providing high-quality, evidence-based speech pathology services. Our compassionate and collaborative approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive.