Speech Pathology contributes to and assists children in all aspects of speech, language, communication and literacy and provides them with new skills, enhancing their ability to thrive in varied educational environments.
Speech Pathology services are provided for:
Receptive Language Delay:
When a child can’t understand what is being said, this could be Receptive Language Delay. However, there are other causes, e.g., poor hearing. Hearing can be tested by an audiologist and if found not to be the cause, then a speech pathologist can diagnose your child using tests to establish what particular problems exist. Read More (PDF file)
Central Auditory Processing:
This condition needs to be diagnosed by an audiologist. Resulting problems can then be treated by a speech pathologist. Your child’s hearing is okay, but he or she has trouble listening in the presence of background noise. Your child might have difficulty remembering a number of instructions or is having trouble learning sounds for reading and spelling…. Read More
Expressive Language Delay:
When a child is unable to communicate verbally or do so in a limited manner when compared to other children, this may be the result of an Expressive Language Delay. This can be diagnosed using tests to establish what areas of expressive delay require treatment. Read More (PDF file)
Phonological Speech Disorder:
Sometimes children develop their own sound patterns that you, as a parent, may or may not learn to understand. Others, however, definitely won’t be able to understand your child’s speech. Your child may therefore have a phonological speech disorder or delay. This can be mild where only a few sounds are affected. However, it is important for children to develop correct sound patterns to avoid literacy problems later. This can be easily diagnosed and treated. Read More (PDF file)
Apraxia of Speech:
Children who use a very limited number of sounds or none at all when they should be vocalising may have Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). This can be difficult to diagnose, as it is more involved than a phonological disorder of delay. Early intervention is essential to treat this problem effectively. Read More
Stuttering:
Early treatment is particularly affective in treating non-fluent speech. This speech problem presents itself as whole word repetition; single sound repetition; blocking and elongation of sounds and can be treated using techniques suitable for each type of non-fluency presentation. The earlier the intervention, the better the results. Read more
Tongue Tie, Tongue Thrust and Other Orofacial Conditions:
These conditions are often identified by dentists, pediatricians, lactation consultants and orthodontists. As restrictions can be further back in the mouth, they're not always immediately obvious, even to health practitioners. Indications of can include mild articulation conditions such as lisping, and more detrimental conditions such as mouth-breathing and chewing and sucking difficulties. Read More (PDF Download)
Childhood Voice Disorder:
Sometimes children can strain their voices, usually through over exuberance in yelling and screaming. This can result in a very husky and even loss of voice. Continuing strain can result in vocal nodules. Speech pathology can successfully treat this condition. Read More
Literacy:
Children who have a history of delayed speech and language can be at risk of developing difficulties with literacy. The ability to read, spell and write is essential for children to reach their full potential. Speech therapy addresses the area of phonological/ sound awareness helping children to develop skills in spelling and reading and ultimately written language proficiency. Read More (PDF file)
Speech Pathology services are provided for:
- Receptive Language Delay
- Central Auditory Processing
- Expressive Language Delay
- Phonological Speech Disorders
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
- Stuttering
- Tongue Thrust
- Child Voice Disorder
- Literacy
Receptive Language Delay:
When a child can’t understand what is being said, this could be Receptive Language Delay. However, there are other causes, e.g., poor hearing. Hearing can be tested by an audiologist and if found not to be the cause, then a speech pathologist can diagnose your child using tests to establish what particular problems exist. Read More (PDF file)
Central Auditory Processing:
This condition needs to be diagnosed by an audiologist. Resulting problems can then be treated by a speech pathologist. Your child’s hearing is okay, but he or she has trouble listening in the presence of background noise. Your child might have difficulty remembering a number of instructions or is having trouble learning sounds for reading and spelling…. Read More
Expressive Language Delay:
When a child is unable to communicate verbally or do so in a limited manner when compared to other children, this may be the result of an Expressive Language Delay. This can be diagnosed using tests to establish what areas of expressive delay require treatment. Read More (PDF file)
Phonological Speech Disorder:
Sometimes children develop their own sound patterns that you, as a parent, may or may not learn to understand. Others, however, definitely won’t be able to understand your child’s speech. Your child may therefore have a phonological speech disorder or delay. This can be mild where only a few sounds are affected. However, it is important for children to develop correct sound patterns to avoid literacy problems later. This can be easily diagnosed and treated. Read More (PDF file)
Apraxia of Speech:
Children who use a very limited number of sounds or none at all when they should be vocalising may have Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). This can be difficult to diagnose, as it is more involved than a phonological disorder of delay. Early intervention is essential to treat this problem effectively. Read More
Stuttering:
Early treatment is particularly affective in treating non-fluent speech. This speech problem presents itself as whole word repetition; single sound repetition; blocking and elongation of sounds and can be treated using techniques suitable for each type of non-fluency presentation. The earlier the intervention, the better the results. Read more
Tongue Tie, Tongue Thrust and Other Orofacial Conditions:
These conditions are often identified by dentists, pediatricians, lactation consultants and orthodontists. As restrictions can be further back in the mouth, they're not always immediately obvious, even to health practitioners. Indications of can include mild articulation conditions such as lisping, and more detrimental conditions such as mouth-breathing and chewing and sucking difficulties. Read More (PDF Download)
Childhood Voice Disorder:
Sometimes children can strain their voices, usually through over exuberance in yelling and screaming. This can result in a very husky and even loss of voice. Continuing strain can result in vocal nodules. Speech pathology can successfully treat this condition. Read More
Literacy:
Children who have a history of delayed speech and language can be at risk of developing difficulties with literacy. The ability to read, spell and write is essential for children to reach their full potential. Speech therapy addresses the area of phonological/ sound awareness helping children to develop skills in spelling and reading and ultimately written language proficiency. Read More (PDF file)