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How we can help
A speech pathologist will collaborate with you to:
- Determine how your child is currently communicating
- Support your child's communication development (using a total communication system)
- Establish supportive learning environments for communication development
How It Works
assessment
We use a range of informal and standardised assessments to better understand how your child is currently communicating and how we might be able to support their communication development.
What does an assessment involve?
- Reviewing any relevant documents provided, such as reports from professionals
- Discussing your observations regarding your child’s communication and learning
- Conducting a formal standardised assessment, if appropriate, to better understand your child’s current communication strengths and areas that may benefit from further support
- Using informal assessment, for example, observing the child’s interaction and communication in play
- The therapist may then write a summary report for you to share with your GP, teachers and other professionals who work with your child
Every child is a unique story waiting to be told, and speech therapy is the pen that helps them write their voices.
THERAPY
Orchard Therapy uses evidence-based practice to plan fun, individualised activities to support communication goals and moves at the pace of your child. Orchard Therapy currently sees pre-school and primary school aged children who need support with speech and language development:
Speech Therapy
If your speech pathologist says your child has an articulation delay, it means your child is having difficulty making the sound (i.e. there is difficulty with the positioning and movement of the tongue, jaw, and mouth to make the sound correctly). This is when a sound is distorted. For example, a child’s sound may sound ‘slushy’ or different to how their peers say them.
If your speech pathologist says your child has a phonological delay, it means your child is having difficulty learning and organising their speech sounds into patterns. It is common for children to simplify their speech using patterns, however, there are certain ages by when we expect children to stop using these immature patterns and use more adult patterns of speech. If a child has a phonological delay, sounds are often said correctly but used in the wrong place. For example, the child can say the ‘p’ sound but may then also say ‘p’ for ‘f’ in ‘fish’ (“pish”).
How well speech is understood by unfamiliar listeners?
- 2-year-old speech is understood about 50% of the time
- 3-year-old speech is understood about 75% of the time
- 4-year-old speech is understood about 95% – 100% of the time
- 5-year-old speech is understood about 100% of the time
Language Therapy
If your speech pathologist says your child has a receptive language delay, it means your child has difficulty understanding and making sense of what they hear or read. This can make it difficult for them to follow instructions, comprehend the meaning of questions, or understand the order of events in a story or experience.
If your speech pathologist says your child has an expressive language delay, it means your child has difficulty using words, sentences, gestures and writing to communicate thoughts and messages to others. This can make it hard for them to express their needs, talk with others, answer questions, tell stories or describe experiences accurately.
Typical language milestones for children aged:
Speech Therapy
If your speech pathologist says your child needs support with articulation, it means your child may need support making the sound (i.e. there is difficulty with the positioning and movement of the tongue, jaw, and mouth to make the sound accurately). For example, a child’s sound may sound ‘slushy’ or different to how their peers say them.
If your speech pathologist says your child has a phonological delay, it means your child may need support learning and organising their speech sounds into patterns. It is common for children to simplify their speech using patterns, however, there are certain ages by when we expect children to stop using these patterns and use more adult-like patterns of speech. If a child has a phonological delay, sounds are often said correctly but used in the wrong place. For example, the child can say the ‘p’ sound but may then also say ‘p’ for ‘f’ in ‘fish’ (“pish”).
How well speech is TYPICALLY understood by unfamiliar listeners?
Language Therapy
If your speech pathologist says your child needs support to develop receptive language skills, it means your child may need support to better understand and make sense of what they hear or read. This may include following instructions, comprehending the meaning of questions, or understanding the order of events in a story or experience.
If your speech pathologist says your child needs support to develop expressive language skills, it means your child may need support to use words, sentences, gestures and / or visuals to communicate their messages to others. This may include expressing their needs, speaking with others, answering questions, telling stories or describing experiences. This may also include supporting their communication partners to better interpret their message.
Typical language milestones for children aged:
Funding Options
We provide a range of options to best suit your child and family. These include:
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – NDIS participants with self-managed or plan-managed plans only
- Medicare – Chronic Disease Management Plan (requires referral from GP or Paediatrician)
- Private health – Please check with your health insurer if you are covered for speech pathology services prior to making an appointment
- Private fee for service
