Nurturing Voices, Growing Connections

Speech Pathology is the term used for a group of professional therapists that are trained to work with people who struggle to communicate easily.

Speech Pathologists (or Speech Therapists) can work with individuals of all ages, and will often specialise in either paediatrics (children) and/or adults as the scope of practice across the lifespan can be very different! 

The scope of a paediatric speech therapist is broad. Some common terms that you may hear in paediatric speech therapy include:

Communication

Any method of conveying a message! Communication is  complex human process and involves all of the below. 

Speech/ Speech sounds/ Speech production/ Articulation

The way that we say words clearly and with the right sounds in the right places. Some children with speech sound errors may swap sounds in words or not say them at all (e.g. cat becomes "tat"). 

Language (receptive and expressive)

The meaning behind the words we say - how we put them together into sentences with grammar to express our thoughts (expressive language), and how we understand things being said to us (receptive language). 

Fluency/ Stuttering/ Stammering

The ability to say what we want to say smoothly, without getting stuck, repeating sounds or words, or stretching sounds out. For example, a stutter might sound like "I-I-I-I-I want to go". 

Social Communication/ Social Engagement/  Social Interaction

How we use our communication to interact with those around us. Social engagement and communication is a highly complex process involving using skills in perception, perspective, inference, problem solving, reasoning, greetings, coping with negotiations and disagreements, and having back and forth conversations in order to build and maintain relationships with others. 

Pre-literacy and Literacy

Pre-literacy are the skills in sound and letter awareness (phonological awareness and phonics) that individuals need in order to form strong literacy skills. Literacy skills are our ability to read and spell words, understand written information, and write sentences and stories. Understanding and using verbal language is a key pre-requisite to developing strong written communication/literacy skills. 

Executive Functioning 

A set of underlying learning and functioning skills that are needed to do everything else! These include focus, attention, memory (short term and working memory), processing speed, organisation and time management to name a few! 

AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication)

A way to communicate with language and meaning without using your body's voice and oral speaking. AAC involves everything from pictures/symbols, sign language and gesture/body language, to high-tech communication devices that a person may use to communicate when other methods of speaking are more tricky for them to master. 

If you feel worried about your child's development, we can help! Visit our Developmental Milestones page for an idea of the order in which many children develop their communication skills from birth. If you are still unsure, give us a buzz and we will happily answer your questions. 

It is important to note that neurotypical and neurodivergent children may develop communication in different ways. Not all communication milestones are appropriate to measure neurodivergent children against, and not all neurodivergent individuals need speech pathology support. 

In your initial consultation with us, you will be asked about your child's strengths, areas for progress, and the overall goals you have for your child's communication and learning. We can then decide if speech therapy supports are needed or suitable. 

Irresistible! Fun! Play! Connection!  

Our therapists are incredibly well trained to get the most out of your child's learning time and we truly believe that connection and joy are the foundation of all communication therapy success. If your child is having fun, they are more likely to be engaged and learn faster. We have a range of toys, activities, and equipment to use in sessions to meet your child's needs and interests and ensure that their learning is irresistible. If your child has a particular game or toy that they love, we'd love to see it too! 

We will discuss with you in your consultation phone call about what the first sessions for your child can look like, and we can offer opportunities for you and your little human to meet us or visit our site before your session so that you/they know what to expect. 

Absolutely! Parents are encouraged to attend sessions with their child in order to understand what we are working on and how you can transfer your child's skills outside of therapy sessions. We understand that some children may focus better without a parent present and this can be discussed with you so that your child is getting the most out of their sessions. Where you don't sit in on sessions, your therapist will give a detailed summary and carryover activities at the end of each session.  

There are a range of funding supports to access private speech therapy sessions. 

NDIS - we are able to see Self-Managed and Plan-Managed participants.

Medicare - The Communication Nest Speech Therapists are registered Medicare Providers. Your child may be eligible for a Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan (formally EPC - Enhanced Primary Care plan). You can speak with your GP about this. Seeking therapy through a Medicare plan can grant you a rebate back on the total cost of a session. 

Private Health Insurance - check with your private health insurance provider if you have or can add speech pathology/therapy to your insurance. This can go towards covering some of the cost of assessment and/or therapy sessions. 

No referral is needed to access assessment or therapy with us, get in touch and we can book you in. Your GP or Paediatrician can be a great first place to start especially if you are seeking funding support.