Speech Pathology

How Can a speech pathologist help

Our Speech Pathologists work closely with clients, families and carers to provide comprehensive assessment and tailored intervention for people with communication and swallowing difficulties.

We provide a range of comprehensive assessments including:

Swallowing Assessments
Mealtime Management Plans
Communication Assessments (including speech, language, fluency and Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) assessments)
Literacy assessments (reading and spelling)

Following our assessments, we provide personalised, client-centred therapy for:

Individuals with complex communication needs or difficulties communicating
Speech sound disorders (including dysarthria, apraxia, articulation and phonological disorders)
Language disorders (including developmental and acquired language disorders e.g. aphasia)
Fluency disorders (stuttering)
Literacy difficulties (including learning difficulties, dyslexia, dysgraphia)

We can also provide:

Training for communication partners (family and carers) who are supporting people with communication and swallowing difficulties
Training in mealtime management plans for clients, their families and carers
Training in Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems for clients, their family and carers

Click through our headings above to see what areas we cover, and how we may be able to support you.

Swallowing assessments

Also known as "Dysphagia Assessments"

What is it?

Swallowing assessments (or sometimes referred to as mealtime management assessments) assess an individual’s ability to safety consume foods and fluids.

When is this assessment needed? What are the benefits to having this assessment completed?

A swallow assessment is needed when an individual presents difficulty swallowing foods and fluids. Some signs of difficulties include:

· Choking

· Coughing

· A wet or gurgly voice quality after swallowing

· Shortness of breath after swallowing

· Taking a prolonged time to chew foods

· Recurring chest infections due to aspiration pneumonia

A swallowing assessment has many benefits, including:

· The recommendation of individualised mealtime modifications to maximise an individual’s swallow safety during mealtime. This may include modifying the texture of a diet or thickening fluids

· The recommendation of safe swallow strategies or techniques

What’s involved?

A swallowing assessment involves a speech pathologist observing an individual eat and drink during a typical mealtime. Here, the speech pathologist will observe the effectiveness and safety of an individual’s swallowing ability. During the assessment, the speech pathologist may palpate or touch an individual’s throat whilst they are swallowing. This technique is not painful and allows the speech pathologist to assess the strength and coordination of the muscles that are needed for swallowing.

How do I prepare for this assessment?

A quiet area and a dining table are needed for this assessment. Typically, you may be asked to consume some foods of different textures that are present in your home at the time of the assessment. However, the speech pathologist can bring foods/fluids to use during the assessment if required.

Clinic, Home Visits

Our Speech Pathologists can provide clinic consultations or at home consultations, which ever suits your situation and lifestyle.

Funding Options

We are registered with the NDIS for those who have access to NDIS funding otherwise sessions can be paid for privately or also rebated through Medicare. We also have access to other funding models, contact us to find out more.

Contact us to learn more

Narellan - 02 4647 9995

Wollongong - 02 4243 7820

Get in Touch

Meal Time Management

What is a Mealtime Management Plan

A mealtime management plan is a document that summarises:

The swallowing difficulties identified during the swallowing assessment
The diet modifications and recommendations that are necessary to maximise safe swallowing
The most appropriate safe swallow strategies
Signs to look out for that may indicate swallowing difficulties in the future and when to contact a Speech Pathologist for reassessment

When is this needed?

A mealtime management plan is needed after a swallowing assessment to summarise the findings and discuss recommendations for safe swallowing

What do I do with this?

After receiving a mealtime management plan, it is important that the document is reviewed thoroughly and discussed with your speech pathologist. The Speech Pathologist will provide training to the client and their significant others on how to effectively follow the mealtime management plan. The mealtime plan should remain in a salient position so that it can be quickly reviewed when needed.

Adult speech pathology

How Can a speech pathologist help

Swallowing assessments

Also known as "Dysphagia Assessments"

Meal Time Management

What is a Mealtime Management Plan

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