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Online Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy telehealth across Australia

Access Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy from home with telehealth appointments available across Australia.

Innerlink Therapy provides online Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy for children, teenagers and adults. Our telehealth services allow people in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia to connect with experienced therapists without needing to travel to our Sydney clinic.

Telehealth may be used for assessment, individual therapy, parent and carer coaching, AAC and communication support, consultation, and collaboration with teachers, support workers and other professionals.

Our therapists consider your individual goals, communication or functional needs, technology, support network and the type of service required when determining whether telehealth, face-to-face therapy or a combination of both is most appropriate.

Enquire About Online Therapy

Looking for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy online?

Our Client Care Team can discuss your needs, location, funding arrangements and whether telehealth may be suitable.

Enquire about Online Therapy

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth allows Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy services to be delivered through a live video appointment.

Instead of travelling to a clinic, you connect with your therapist from home, school, work or another suitable location using a computer, tablet or other compatible device.

Telehealth can make therapy more accessible for people who:

  • live outside Sydney
  • live in regional, rural or remote Australia
  • have difficulty travelling to appointments
  • have limited access to local Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy services
  • prefer therapy from their own environment
  • want parents, carers or other support people involved in therapy
  • need greater flexibility around work, school or family commitments

Telehealth does not simply mean talking to a therapist on a screen. Sessions are planned around the person’s individual goals and may include interactive activities, demonstrations, coaching, visual resources, shared digital materials and practical strategies for everyday life.

Online Speech Pathology Across Australia

Our Speech Pathologists provide online Speech Pathology services for children, teenagers and adults across Australia where telehealth is clinically appropriate.

Depending on the person’s needs and goals, online Speech Pathology may support areas including:

  • speech sound development
  • understanding and using language
  • expressive and receptive language
  • literacy
  • stuttering and fluency
  • social communication
  • functional communication
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • communication following neurological conditions
  • communication partner training
  • parent and carer coaching

Telehealth can also make it easier for important people in the person’s life to participate.

With appropriate consent, parents, carers, teachers, support workers and other professionals may be able to join part of a session so strategies can be understood and used in everyday environments.

Online Speech Pathology for Children

Children can participate in Speech Pathology through telehealth when online therapy is appropriate for their age, needs and goals.

Sessions may include games, interactive activities, visual resources, conversation, shared reading, speech activities and parent coaching.

For younger children, a parent or carer may play an important role in the appointment. Rather than asking a young child to remain in front of a screen for an entire session, the Speech Pathologist may coach the parent or carer to use communication strategies during everyday play and routines.

This can help families continue supporting communication development between appointments.

Online Speech Pathology for Teenagers

Telehealth can work particularly well for teenagers who are comfortable using technology and prefer accessing therapy from home.

Sessions may focus on areas such as communication, language, literacy, social communication, fluency, organisation and functional communication.

Therapy remains individualised and linked to goals that are meaningful to the young person.

Online Speech Pathology for Adults

Adults may also access Speech Pathology through telehealth.

Depending on clinical suitability, online appointments may support communication, language, cognitive-communication, fluency, voice, functional communication and communication following neurological conditions.

Family members, carers and support workers may also participate where their involvement supports the person’s goals.

Online Occupational Therapy Across Australia

Innerlink Therapy also provides Occupational Therapy through telehealth where online service delivery is clinically appropriate.

Occupational Therapy focuses on helping people participate more independently and confidently in everyday activities.

Depending on individual needs, telehealth Occupational Therapy may support areas including:

  • executive functioning
  • planning and organisation
  • daily routines
  • fine motor skills
  • handwriting
  • sensory processing
  • emotional regulation
  • attention
  • independence with everyday activities
  • school participation
  • home routines
  • functional skills

One advantage of online Occupational Therapy is that the therapist can work with the person within their everyday environment.

For example, a therapist may be able to discuss or observe aspects of a home routine, workspace, homework area or daily activity and develop practical strategies that relate directly to that environment.

AAC and Complex Communication Support Through Telehealth

Telehealth can be particularly useful for some people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC.

Depending on the person’s needs, our Speech Pathologists may use telehealth to support:

  • AAC implementation
  • communication partner training
  • modelling AAC
  • building communication opportunities
  • troubleshooting everyday AAC use
  • developing functional communication skills
  • supporting parents and carers
  • supporting teachers and support workers
  • collaborating with other professionals

Some parts of an AAC assessment or device trial may require face-to-face input or additional information. Your Speech Pathologist will discuss what can appropriately be completed through telehealth.

Our focus is not simply on the communication system. We work with the person and the people around them to help build meaningful communication, participation, choice and independence.

Learn more about our AAC Communication Support.

What Happens During a Telehealth Appointment?

A telehealth appointment is structured much like an in-person therapy appointment, but it is delivered through video.

Before Your Appointment

Our team will provide information about accessing your online appointment.

Your therapist may ask you to have particular materials, documents, toys, therapy resources or equipment available depending on the purpose of the session.

Choose a quiet and comfortable location with reliable internet access where possible.

During Your Appointment

You will meet your therapist through video.

Depending on your goals, the appointment may include:

  • assessment activities
  • individual therapy
  • interactive activities
  • conversation and discussion
  • demonstrations
  • parent or carer coaching
  • education
  • strategy development
  • AAC support
  • review of home activities
  • collaboration with other people involved in your support

Your therapist will adapt the session to your individual needs.

After Your Appointment

Your therapist will document the appointment in accordance with usual clinical requirements.

Where appropriate, they may also provide activities, strategies or recommendations that can be used between appointments.

Is Telehealth Right for Me?

Telehealth can be highly effective for many people, but it is not appropriate for every person, assessment or therapy goal.

Speech Pathology Australia recognises telepractice as a service-delivery option when it is supported by appropriate clinical judgement, evidence and consideration of the individual client’s needs. Read more about Speech Pathology Australia’s position on telepractice.

Our therapists consider factors including:

  • the reason for referral
  • therapy goals
  • communication needs
  • attention and concentration
  • hearing and vision
  • physical and sensory needs
  • safety
  • technology access
  • the person’s ability to participate online
  • whether a parent, carer or support person is available when needed
  • whether the required assessment can be completed appropriately online

Sometimes telehealth may be the main way therapy is delivered.

In other situations, a combination of online and face-to-face therapy may be recommended.

If telehealth is not clinically appropriate for the service you require, our team will discuss suitable alternatives with you.

Benefits of Online Therapy

Telehealth can provide greater choice in how and where therapy takes place.

Benefits may include:

  • access to therapy from anywhere in Australia
  • reduced travel time
  • easier access for regional and remote communities
  • greater flexibility around work, school and family commitments
  • access to therapists outside your immediate local area
  • therapy within the person’s familiar home environment
  • easier involvement of parents and carers
  • opportunities for teachers or support workers to participate where appropriate
  • continuity of therapy when travel to the clinic is difficult
  • practical strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines

For some people, accessing therapy from a familiar environment can also make participation more comfortable.

Telehealth for Regional and Remote Australia

Where you live should not automatically prevent you from accessing Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy.

Innerlink Therapy’s physical clinic is located in Belmore, Sydney, but telehealth allows our therapists to work with suitable clients well beyond our local area.

We welcome enquiries from people living throughout Australia, including metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

Whether you live elsewhere in New South Wales or interstate, our Client Care Team can discuss your needs and determine whether one of our therapists can provide the service you require through telehealth.

NDIS Telehealth Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

Innerlink Therapy is a registered NDIS provider.

The NDIS recognises Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy as therapy supports where they meet the participant’s disability-related needs and NDIS funding requirements. Learn more about NDIS therapy supports.

Eligible NDIS participants may be able to access appropriate Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy supports through telehealth when the service relates to their disability support needs, goals and available funding.

Our therapists focus on evidence-based supports that aim to build or maintain functional skills, communication, participation and independence.

We work with:

  • NDIA-managed participants
  • plan-managed participants
  • self-managed participants

Where appropriate and with consent, our therapists may also collaborate with family members, carers, Support Coordinators, teachers, support workers and other professionals.

Funding arrangements vary between participants. Our Client Care Team can discuss your individual circumstances when you enquire.

Learn more about our Funding Options.

Medicare and Telehealth

Some clients may be eligible for Medicare rebates for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy telehealth services under specific Medicare referral pathways.

Eligibility, referral requirements and available rebates depend on the Medicare program and service being accessed.

If you intend to use a Medicare referral, please provide it to our team before your appointment so we can check the relevant information.

Private Health Insurance

Depending on your policy, your private health insurer may provide benefits for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy delivered by telehealth.

For telehealth appointments, Innerlink Therapy can provide a paid receipt that you can submit directly to your health fund.

Coverage and rebate amounts vary between insurers and policies, so we recommend checking directly with your health fund before your appointment.

What Technology Do I Need?

You do not need complicated equipment to participate in most telehealth appointments.

Generally, you will need:

  • a reliable internet connection
  • a computer, laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone
  • a quiet location with minimal distractions
  • enough space to participate comfortably
  • therapy materials requested by your clinician, where required
  • a parent, carer or support person for some appointments where appropriate

Your therapist will let you know if anything additional is required.

Privacy During Telehealth Appointments

Innerlink Therapy takes the privacy of personal and health information seriously.

Telehealth appointments are managed in accordance with our privacy, consent and clinical record-keeping obligations.

We recommend participating from a private location where you feel comfortable discussing personal information.

Your therapist will also conduct the appointment from an appropriate environment.

Read our Privacy Policy for more information about how Innerlink Therapy manages personal and health information.

Supporting Multilingual Families

Innerlink Therapy works with families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Our Speech Pathology team includes clinicians who speak English, Arabic, Greek and Tagalog, subject to therapist availability.

Families who communicate in more than one language at home are welcome to discuss their communication needs with our team when enquiring about telehealth.

We recognise that communication should be considered within the person’s real family, cultural and linguistic environment.

Innerlink Therapy is an established Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy practice based in Sydney.

Through telehealth, our clinicians can extend appropriate services beyond our physical clinic and support people across Australia.

Our approach includes:

  • qualified Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists
  • services for children, teenagers and adults
  • individualised assessment and therapy
  • evidence-based practice
  • practical goals for everyday life
  • AAC and complex communication experience
  • collaboration with families, carers and other professionals
  • multidisciplinary Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy services
  • NDIS registered provider services
  • Medicare options for eligible clients
  • private health and private payment options
  • multilingual Speech Pathology subject to clinician availability
  • face-to-face services from our Belmore clinic for local clients
  • online therapy across Australia where clinically appropriate

Our goal is to help people communicate, participate and build skills that matter in everyday life.

Enquire About Online Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy

You can access experienced Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy without necessarily needing to live near our Sydney clinic.

Innerlink Therapy welcomes telehealth enquiries from children, teenagers, adults, families and NDIS participants across Australia.

Our Client Care Team can discuss:

  • the service you are looking for
  • whether telehealth may be suitable
  • therapist availability
  • NDIS funding arrangements
  • Medicare referrals
  • private health insurance
  • appointment options

Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss online Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy.

Phone: 02 8065 1197
Email: info@innerlinktherapy.com.au

Enquire About Telehealth Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide online Speech Pathology across Australia?

Yes. Innerlink Therapy can provide online Speech Pathology to suitable clients across Australia. Telehealth availability depends on the service required, clinical suitability and therapist availability.

Do you provide online Occupational Therapy across Australia?

Yes. Occupational Therapy may be provided through telehealth to clients across Australia when online service delivery is appropriate for the person’s needs and goals.

Do I need to live in Sydney?

No. You do not need to live in Sydney to enquire about telehealth. Our physical clinic is in Belmore, Sydney, but suitable online services may be provided across Australia.

Can children receive Speech Pathology online?

Yes. Many children can participate successfully in Speech Pathology through telehealth. The therapist will consider the child’s age, needs, goals and ability to participate. Parent or carer involvement may be recommended.

Can adults receive Speech Pathology through telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth may be appropriate for adults requiring support with communication, language, fluency, voice, cognitive-communication or other communication difficulties. Suitability depends on the individual and the service required.

Can Occupational Therapy be provided online?

Yes. Some Occupational Therapy services can be delivered effectively through telehealth. This may include support with executive functioning, routines, sensory processing, emotional regulation, fine motor skills, handwriting, organisation and everyday functional activities.

Can AAC support be provided through telehealth?

Yes. Some AAC services can be delivered through telehealth, including communication partner training, AAC implementation, modelling and support with everyday use. Some assessments or device trials may also require face-to-face components.

Can parents or carers join a telehealth appointment?

Yes. Parents and carers can often play an important role in telehealth, particularly for younger children and people with complex communication or support needs.

Can teachers or support workers participate?

Where appropriate and with consent, teachers, support workers and other people involved in the person’s support may participate in telehealth consultations or therapy.

Can I use NDIS funding for telehealth?

Eligible NDIS participants may be able to use appropriate funding for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy delivered through telehealth when the support meets NDIS requirements and relates to the participant’s disability support needs and goals.

Innerlink Therapy is a registered NDIS provider supporting NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed participants.

Can I claim Medicare for telehealth?

Some eligible clients may be able to access Medicare rebates for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy telehealth services under specific referral pathways. Eligibility and referral requirements vary, so please discuss your referral with our Client Care Team before your appointment.

Can I claim private health insurance for telehealth?

This depends on your health fund and policy. Innerlink Therapy can provide a paid receipt following your telehealth appointment so you can submit your claim directly to your insurer.

What happens if my internet connection stops working?

If technical difficulties interrupt your appointment, your therapist will discuss the most appropriate way to continue or reschedule the session depending on the circumstances.

Is telehealth as suitable as face-to-face therapy for everyone?

No. Telehealth is an effective service option for many people, but it is not suitable for every person, assessment or therapy goal. Your therapist will consider your individual needs and recommend an appropriate service-delivery approach.

Can I combine telehealth with face-to-face appointments?

Yes. Some clients may use a combination of telehealth and face-to-face therapy where this suits their goals and circumstances. Face-to-face appointments are available at our Belmore clinic for clients who can attend in person.