Speech Therapy

Communicate with others

Communicating with others and being understood is important. With a speech pathologist you can build your communication skills including:

• Learning to speak clearly and be understood by others
• Working on stuttering so you can speak smoothly
• Understanding what your voice sounds like and its volume. Some of our clinicians are qualified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
• Building language skills to better understand others and putting ideas and thoughts together. Some of our clinicians are qualified in the Hanen approach
• Using different forms of communication with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), for example communication boards, technology, and  Key Word Sign
• Improving your literacy with reading, spelling and written expression

Manage swallowing difficulties

A swallowing problem can happen at any stage of life. We’ll work with you to understand the signs and symptoms of swallowing difficulties. These can include:

• A feeling that food or drink gets stuck in your throat or is going down the wrong way
• Long meal times or eating slowly
• Coughing, choking or frequent throat clearing during or after eating and drinking
• Becoming short of breath or your breathing changes when eating and drinking
• Avoiding certain foods because they’re difficult to swallow
• Unplanned weight loss or failing to put on weight because you avoid foods or find it hard to eat

Build your independence

Build your skills to create a more independent life. These skills might include:

• Practicing ordering food, drink and buying things, either verbally or using communication aids (alternative and augmentative communication)
• Confidently asking and answering questions
• Working on your play or social skills so you can interact with others, make friends and maintain friendships
• Assistance at mealtimes to make sure you can eat safely and comfortably

Strategies tailored for you

We can provide therapy in a way that works for you.

We can provide one-on-one sessions to develop your skills. Therapy sessions can be conducted in person at your home, workplace, day program, school, day care or in our clinics. For children, we encourage a parent or caregiver present so that the strategies worked on in sessions can be applied to the relevant environment. We can also provide therapy services through telehealth sessions.

In consultative sessions, we’ll work with your support people, like your supervisor in the workplace, or a teacher in an educational setting. Our speech pathologist will provide strategies to your team, which they can then use to support you. These strategies could be delivered face-to-face, over the phone, in emails or handouts.

Better results come with consistent, daily practice in the right environment. Your caregiver, teacher or accommodation staff member can continue to work with you outside of sessions to reach your desired outcomes sooner.

Get more time and support to achieve your goals

You can achieve your goals faster by working with an Allied Health Assistant (AHA). An AHA works under the guidance of your speech therapist, supporting the program your therapist has created for you. The affordability of an AHA gives you more time to work on your goals. Our AHA’s are either qualified with a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistant, studying their undergraduate degree to become Allied Health Professionals, or both.

Receive support in many ways

Northcott Therapists can support you in many ways. Reaching goals can involve significant work outside of the therapy room.