Speech pathologists assess and treat people who have communication difficulties – in their speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols and gestures, as well as any issues with fluency and swallowing. They also treat defects, disorders and malfunctions of speech and voice, including stuttering, lisping, language disturbances or delayed language acquisition in children. Formerly, this profession was called speech therapy.
You may be thinking a speech pathologist only helps people who stutter or lisp. While they do treat those difficulties, their scope of practice is far broader. Speech pathologists can also help with:
Our speech pathologists specialise in working with children. If you’re looking for an adult speech pathologist, we can refer you to someone who can help.
We focus on providing personal, quality care for your child – that combines comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with an understanding of the functional and emotional issues attached to the challenge.
Our speech pathologists work closely with our other therapy disciplines within our integrated health model. Therefore, they have a holistic and family-centred view of your child and how your child's communication needs fit into your life.
The speech pathologists at Tyack Health provide assessment and individualised therapy to children in relation to:
| Speech |
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| Language |
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| Fluency |
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| Social Skills |
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| Literacy |
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| Auditory Processing |
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Emily recognises the importance of communication across the lifespan, and understands how speech and language difficulties can impact on wellbeing and quality of life. Her aim is to deliver therapy that is fun and tailored to each child's unique needs, and in doing so, help children to find their voice and reach their full potential. She strives to make a real difference by working collaboratively with families to help children overcome their challenges and become confident and effective communicators.
Children who overcome communication issues grow in both confidence and self-esteem. Like anything, learning to speak well is not just functionally difficult, it can also be emotionally challenging. For us, success comes when you connect, have fun, grow and celebrate each little win!
Our speech pathologists are experienced and are passionate about making a lifelong difference in the lives of the children with whom they work. They are committed to ongoing development of their skills and knowledge to ensure the delivery of up-to-date, evidence-based treatments for your children. All our speech pathologists are members of Speech Pathology Australia and are registered Medicare providers.
Our speech pathology team offers both during school and after hours’ appointments to suit busy family schedules. They aim to be flexible to fit in with your family needs.
Our speech pathologists are part of our larger paediatric team which includes occupational therapy and psychology. The paediatric team works together to enhance the care of children who need to see more than one therapist to overcome their challenges.
The first appointment for your child will be a 1 hour assessment session. During this time, the therapist will take the opportunity to begin building rapport with your child, discuss the main concerns you have regarding your child’s communication skills and begin assessing their communication abilities. You can help by ensuring you have completed the New Patient forms emailed to you prior to the appointment and bring along (or email) all reports/Letters about your child's development.
The length of time it will take to complete an assessment will depend on your child’s age and individual needs. Follow-on assessment sessions may be required, however this will be discussed with you at the first appointment.
At the completion of assessment, feedback will be provided and you will have an opportunity to discuss the assessment outcomes. Together, an intervention plan will be made for your child, if required. This may need to occur in a follow-up session and, in some cases, might require an appointment without your child present.
A written report can be provided outlining your child’s assessment results, recommendations and action plan. This is particularly relevant if your child has been referred to speech pathology by kindy or school staff, their doctor or paediatrician, or is receiving funding supports.
How much therapy, how often it is needed and where it should be provided varies with each individual. The recommended options will be discussed with you and, from this, you can decide the best step forward for your child and family.
Department Hours:
Tuesday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm
Consultation Fees:
Initial Assessment Session (60 mins) - $185
Report Fee - $100
Therapy/Feedback Session (60 mins) - $160
Therapy/Feedback Session (45 mins) - $120
(Please note that brief appointments can be made at the discretion of the Practitioner; a reduced fee may apply.)
* Private Health Fund Rebates available
* Medicare rebate available - see 'Funding Initiatives' below.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that life is unpredictable and you may not always be able to make your scheduled appointment. If you can’t make an appointment please contact our reception at least 24 hours prior to cancel or arrange for another time.
Missed appointments and appointments cancelled without 24 hours notice may be charged a full consultation fee.
Fahcsia Appointments
An administration fee of $10 per consultation, $10 per group session will be charged to cover the additional administration requirements of Fahcsia funding.
Funding Initiatives
(1) Autism and Better Start Initiatives
Early intervention assistance funding
The early intervention funding under the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) and Better Start Initiative packages are aimed at providing increased access to early intervention for children aged zero to six with an ASD or Downs Syndrome, Fragile X, Cerebral Palsy and Hearing or Visual Impairments. The funding supports the delivery of multidisciplinary evidence based early intervention to facilitate improved cognitive, emotional and social development prior to a child starting school.
To be eligible for the early intervention funding package a child must have received a diagnosis, and have been seen by an Autism or Better Start Advisor and deemed eligible to access the program prior to their sixth birthday. The $12,000 in funding under the early intervention component can be used until the child's seventh birthday to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year.
Funding for these services is accessed via FaHCSIA.
Medicare Rebates
Medicare rebates can be accessed by children under 15 years with the same medical conditions as above, as long they received a diagnosis prior to 13 years of age.
A referral under this plan can either be for assistance with the diagnosis process (up to 4 sessions), or for treatment after receiving diagnosis (up to 20 sessions). Note that these sessions cannot be renewed annually, and can be used for other allied health services as well (with the total number of services not exceeding 4 and/or 20). The sessions are available for children with Autism or a Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD).
(2) NDIS and ECEI
(3) Chronic Disease Management/Team Care Plans (formerly EPCs)
Medicare rebates can be accessed when your child needs ongoing support and care for a persisting condition, which requires multiple therapists/multi-disciplinary team. Eligible patients can claim a rebate of 5 allied health sessions in the calendar year. Your child's GP can assess eligibility for this plan and provide referral information to the speech pathologist. Your therapist reports back to your doctor after the initial consultation and at the end of each block of treatment.
More Information
On funding for children with autism:
FaHCSIA website
On funding for children eligible under Better Start:
NDIS link: https://www.ndis.gov.au/
ECEI (The Benevolent Society) link: https://www.benevolent.org.au/services-and-programs/list-of-programs/ndis-early-childhood-early-intervention-ecei
