Speech and Language Pathologist

School speech pathologists provide interventions for learning, engagement and positive student outcomes

• Is your child easy to understand when speaking?
• Is your child able to understand what you say?
• Is your child able to create sentences that make sense?
• Is your child able to eat a variety of food including soft and hard texture foods?
• Is your child able to eat and drink without coughing and choking?
• Is your child able to read and spell as well as children their age?
• Is your child able to speak without stuttering?
• Is your child’s voice produced without effort?
• Is your child able to get along with other children?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, a Speech Pathologist may be able to help.

What do speech pathologists do?

Speech pathologists work with students who:

• are difficult to understand when speaking
• have difficulty with understanding language (eg. question, instructions)
• have difficulty expressing themselves with words
• stutter
• have a husky, hoarse or nasal voice
• have difficulty with eating and drinking
• have a disability
• have complex communication needs
• have difficulty with literacy
• have difficulty with social skills.

Speech pathologists assess students and provide support through:

• individual therapy
• group therapy
• home programs
• individualised class programs
• teacher aide programs.

Speech pathologists work with class teachers, support teachers and teacher assistants to help students participate at school and achieve their educational goals. Speech pathologists also work closely with school psychologists and social workers. Some children will see a private speech pathologist outside of school. School speech pathologists will work with these providers to help children achieve the best outcomes.

How are students referred?

Talk to your child’s teacher or a Senior Staff member in the first instance.

The staff member may ask you to fill out a referral form if a referral is appropriate at this time. All referrals are signed by the principal prior to being given to the speech pathologist to ensure the referral is appropriate.

Confidentiality

Information given to the speech pathologist is kept in a separate confidential file and can only be shared by consent or by law.