What does a speech pathologist do?
Speech pathologists are qualified health professionals who work with children and adults experiencing communication difficulties.
For children, communication includes much more than simply pronouncing words clearly. A speech pathologist may support a child's understanding of language, ability to express ideas, speech sounds, social communication, literacy-related skills and other areas of communication.
What areas can speech pathology support?
When might parents seek advice?
Families may choose to speak with a speech pathologist when they have questions about how their child is communicating compared with what they would expect for their age or developmental stage.
Examples can include a child who is difficult for others to understand, uses fewer words than expected, has difficulty following instructions, becomes frustrated when trying to communicate or finds back-and-forth conversation challenging.
Some children communicate in different ways, including through gestures, signs, pictures or communication devices. A speech pathologist can help families explore communication approaches that suit the individual child.
What might a speech pathology session look like?
Children's speech pathology sessions are often play-based and tailored to the child's age, interests and individual communication needs.
A session may involve games, books, toys, conversation, visual supports or structured activities designed to practise particular communication skills.
Parents and carers are often an important part of the process because communication happens throughout everyday life. A speech pathologist may provide practical strategies families can use at home and in the community.
Does a child need a diagnosis?
A formal diagnosis is not always required before a family can seek advice from a speech pathologist.
Families may seek support because of a specific communication concern, following a referral from another professional or as part of a broader developmental assessment.
Speech pathology at Spriggle Kids
Spriggle Kids provides paediatric speech pathology for children and families in Balnarring Beach and across the Mornington Peninsula.
Our approach is child-centred and focuses on supporting functional communication in ways that are meaningful to the child and their family.
Important information
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical, developmental or therapeutic advice. If you have concerns about your child's communication, development, feeding or swallowing, speak with an appropriately qualified health professional.