Speech Pathology Wollongong

Speech Pathology Wollongong - Help When You Need It

Direct Focus Solutions offers holistic support through a range of allied health services including psychology, occupational therapy, neurofeedback therapy, support work and speech pathology in Wollongong and surrounding areas.

A speech pathologist may work with people of all ages, including children, young adults and adults. They can also assist those who support them, such as their parents or guardians, in order to help clients realise their speech, language, and communication goals. Wollongong is one of several locations in New South Wales where our speech pathology team can provide assessment and intervention services for individuals expressing a diverse range of speech, language and communication goals.

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

A speech pathologist will work with clients, their parents and carers, as well as other support persons in order to help the client achieve their speech, language and communication goals. A speech pathologist will also work alongside a client to produce a thorough assessment and create a personalised intervention program for individuals who need support in a range of areas. Speech pathologists help to diagnose and provide intervention services to treat a range of delays and disorders that may interfere with a persons’ ability to communicate.

Speech pathologists may assist people with speaking, communicating, listening, understanding language, reading, writing and developing and using social skills. They are also able to support children with voice disorders or who experience difficulty producing fluent speech (stuttering). Speech pathologists frequently work with children who have disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome.

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Kid following a therapist on how to pronounce letters correctly - Direct Focus Solutions

Young boy raising his hands while talking to a speech therapist - Direct Focus Solutions

Who Can Speech Pathology in Wollongong Help?

Our speech pathology team in Wollongong can work with individuals and their wider support network in order to create solutions for clients who require assistance and support within:

Language – Listening, comprehending and understanding spoken language. This includes following instructions and answering and responding to a range of questions.
Speech – Speaking clearly and being understood by others
Voice – Improving clarity and quality of voice sounds (including volume) as well as vocal hygiene
Play and Social Skills – Developing play skills that are essential for learning language and interacting with others in a range of environments
Literacy – Spelling, reading, and writing (including comprehension)
Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) – Teaching the client how to utilise different forms of communication (e.g., technology, communication boards, etc.)
Stuttering – Speaking smoothly and clearly

How Do We Deliver Services for Speech Pathology in Wollongong?

Individual Therapy – Individualised assessment and tailored intervention programs that are developed and delivered by our therapy teams
Home-based Therapy
School-based Therapy
Multi-therapist sessions – Some clients may benefit from access to more than one therapist within a session at a time (e.g., speech pathology and occupational therapy)
Telehealth services – Through telehealth, clients are able to access a range of therapy services, including speech pathology in Wollongong, from Direct Focus Solution online via a video call
Training – Direct Focus Solutions provides personalised training opportunities for those who support individuals with disability at home, schools, and in the community

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When Should I See a Speech Pathologist?

There are a range of reasons why a child or adult may benefit from attending speech pathology in Wollongong. A referral is not required to see a speech pathologist but your GP can provide you with a Primary Health Care Plan which you can claim through Medicare.

As a parent or carer, if you have any concerns about your child’s ability to communicate, including talking, understanding what other people say, stuttering or difficulty producing speech sounds, a speech pathologist will be able to conduct an assessment and provide further information.

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Speech pathology may assist people with speaking, communicating, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, developing and using social skills.

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What Services Do Speech Pathologists Provide?

Speech pathologists offer a wide range of services to support clients in managing their speech, language and communication skills. Examples of the type of work speech pathology in Wollongong offer include:

Providing early language strategies for late talkers
Providing communication strategies, including the use of augmentative or alternative communication devices for individuals who cannot communicate verbally
Helping children who have difficulty producing accurate speech sounds
Helping individuals who are experiencing voice disorders, including difficulties with vocal hygiene, quality, pitch or volume
Helping children who have difficulty understanding others, or difficulty sharing their wants or needs
Working with children and adults who have difficulty producing fluent speech (i.e., stuttering)

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A DFS speech pathologist guides a young girl in a vocabulary activity - Direct Focus Solutions

Speech Pathologist instructing a kid during a therapy session - Direct Focus Solutions

What is Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC)?

Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) is a term used for each of the different ways through which people can communicate aside from speaking. AAC can be used for children or adults who do not have the ability to speak, or it can be used as an extra method of communication in therapy to help children learn verbal language. There are many types of AAC, including low-tech and high-tech options.

No or Low-tech options include:

Gesture
Key Word Sign
Sign language
Facial Expression
Pointing to photos, pictures, or written words
Communication boards
Visual Schedules

High tech options include:

Using a communication app on a device such as an iPad or tablet
Using a dedicated voice-output communication device

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Our Multidisciplinary Approach

Direct Focus Solutions prides itself on its ability to provide an encompassing, holistic approach to allied health delivery at our clinics in Sydney, Wollongong and Bathurst. Our multidisciplinary team is comprised of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, support workers and neurofeedback technicians.

Our speech pathology team in Wollongong work together through collaboration and communication to provide our clients with the best and most effective approach. Our vision as a team is to deliver collaborative, evidence-based programs developed by a range of multidisciplinary staff to help you reach your goals.

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Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Support Work

Contact Direct Focus Solutions on the number below to learn more about how we can help you!

We are waiting for your call 1300 197 949!