Home » What is Speech Pathology?
What is Speech Pathology?
Speech Pathology supports people who experience difficulties with communication, speech, language, literacy, voice, fluency, social communication, eating or swallowing.
Speech Pathologists are university-qualified allied health professionals who assess, diagnose and provide therapy for communication and swallowing difficulties across the lifespan.
At Innerlink Therapy, our Speech Pathologists work with toddlers, children, teenagers and adults from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney, supporting people across Canterbury-Bankstown and surrounding suburbs.
What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?
A Speech Pathologist assesses how a person communicates, understands language, expresses ideas, speaks, reads, writes, uses their voice or safely eats and drinks.
Depending on the person’s individual needs, Speech Pathology may involve assessment, therapy, education, strategies, environmental changes or working collaboratively with families, teachers, carers and other health professionals.
Therapy is personalised around each person’s strengths, needs and everyday goals.
What Can Speech Pathology Help With?
Speech Pathologists can provide assessment and therapy in areas including:
- Speech sounds and speech clarity – helping people pronounce sounds and words clearly and be better understood.
- Language development – supporting understanding, vocabulary, grammar, sentences, following instructions and expressing ideas.
- Literacy – supporting skills related to reading, spelling, written language and phonological awareness.
- Stuttering and fluency – assessing and supporting people who experience stuttering or other fluency difficulties.
- Social communication – developing communication skills for conversations, relationships and participation in everyday situations.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – supporting people who use communication devices, symbols, pictures, gestures or other ways to communicate.
- Voice – assessment and therapy for difficulties affecting voice quality, pitch, volume or vocal use.
- Swallowing and mealtime safety – assessing difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing.
- Orofacial function – assessing and supporting patterns involving the lips, tongue, jaw and muscles of the face where these affect speech or related functions.
Who Can See a Speech Pathologist?
Speech Pathology can support people at any stage of life.
Toddlers and Young Children
Young children may see a Speech Pathologist when there are concerns about:
- delayed speech or language development
- difficulty understanding instructions
- limited vocabulary
- difficulty combining words into sentences
- unclear speech
- stuttering
- social communication
- feeding or swallowing
- using AAC or other communication methods
Early assessment can help identify a child’s communication strengths and areas where additional support may be beneficial.
School-Aged Children and Teenagers
Speech Pathologists can support students with:
- speech clarity
- understanding classroom language
- expressing ideas
- vocabulary and grammar
- reading and spelling
- written language
- following instructions
- social communication
- stuttering
- communication confidence
Speech Pathologists may also collaborate with parents, teachers and other professionals to develop practical strategies that support participation and learning at school.
Adults
Adults may access Speech Pathology following changes to communication or swallowing, or for difficulties that have been present for many years.
Speech Pathologists may support adults experiencing:
- speech difficulties
- language difficulties
- communication following stroke or brain injury
- neurological conditions
- voice difficulties
- stuttering
- cognitive communication difficulties
- social communication difficulties
- swallowing difficulties
- the need for AAC or alternative methods of communication
The aim is to support effective communication, independence, safety and participation in everyday life.
What Happens During a Speech Pathology Assessment?
A Speech Pathology assessment begins with understanding the person’s concerns, strengths, communication needs and goals.
Depending on the reason for referral, assessment may involve:
- discussion with the individual or their family
- observation
- formal or standardised assessments
- informal activities
- speech and language sampling
- review of relevant reports or medical information
- consultation with teachers, carers or other professionals where appropriate
Following the assessment, the Speech Pathologist will explain the findings and discuss whether therapy, strategies, further assessment or other support may be beneficial.
What Does Speech Pathology Therapy Involve?
Speech Pathology therapy is tailored to the individual rather than following the same program for everyone.
Sessions may involve structured activities, conversation, games, literacy activities, technology, AAC, everyday tasks or practical communication situations.
For children, therapy often incorporates play and the child’s interests to encourage participation and learning.
For adults, therapy may focus on communication and swallowing skills needed in everyday environments such as home, work and the community.
Speech Pathologists may also provide strategies and education to parents, carers, teachers, support workers and other people who communicate regularly with the individual.
Where Can Speech Pathology Take Place?
Speech Pathology can be provided in a variety of settings depending on the person’s needs and goals.
At Innerlink Therapy, services may include:
- therapy at our Belmore clinic
- school visits where appropriate
- preschool visits
- community-based services where appropriate
- telehealth appointments
Working within everyday environments can sometimes help strategies transfer more effectively into daily routines.
Speech Pathology at Innerlink Therapy
Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology assessment and therapy for children, teenagers and adults from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney.
Our Speech Pathologists provide personalised, evidence-based support across areas including speech, language, literacy, stuttering, social communication, AAC, swallowing and orofacial function.
We work collaboratively with individuals, families, schools, carers and other professionals to develop practical strategies that support communication, confidence and participation in everyday life.
Innerlink Therapy is also a registered NDIS provider, with services available for eligible NDIS participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Speech Pathology? Speech Pathology is an allied health profession focused on communication and swallowing. Speech Pathologists assess and support difficulties involving speech, language, literacy, voice, fluency, social communication, AAC and swallowing.
What does a Speech Pathologist do? A Speech Pathologist assesses communication or swallowing difficulties and develops individualised strategies or therapy to support communication, participation, independence and safety.
Does my child need a referral to see a Speech Pathologist? A medical referral is generally not required to access private Speech Pathology services. A referral may be required for some funding arrangements, including particular Medicare programs.
What age should a child see a Speech Pathologist? Children can see a Speech Pathologist from infancy onwards. Parents can seek advice whenever they have concerns about their child’s speech, language, communication, feeding or swallowing development.
Do Speech Pathologists only work with children? No. Speech Pathologists work with people across the lifespan, including babies, children, teenagers, adults and older adults.
Can Speech Pathology help with reading and spelling? Yes. Speech Pathologists can assess and support language and literacy skills that contribute to reading, spelling and written language.
Can a Speech Pathologist help with autism? Yes. Speech Pathologists can support autistic children, teenagers and adults with communication, language, social communication and AAC according to each person’s communication style, strengths and goals.
What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, includes communication methods used alongside or instead of speech. This may include gestures, pictures, communication boards, symbols, apps or speech-generating devices.
Do Speech Pathologists assess swallowing? Yes. Speech Pathologists are qualified to assess and support swallowing difficulties affecting eating and drinking.
Does Innerlink Therapy provide NDIS Speech Pathology? Yes. Innerlink Therapy is a registered NDIS provider and provides Speech Pathology services for eligible NDIS participants.
Where does Innerlink Therapy provide Speech Pathology? Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney, supporting families and individuals from Canterbury-Bankstown and surrounding Sydney suburbs. School, preschool and telehealth services may also be available where appropriate.