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Speech pathologists work with people, their family and carers, other professionals, and the community to improve the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing/mealtime difficulties. People with communication and/or swallowing disability often find it hard to do many things that a lot of us take for granted.

These may include speaking clearly, sending an email, ordering and enjoying a morning coffee etc.

These limitations can restrict participation in everyday life

In addition to these challenges, people sometimes react negatively when others have communication and/or eating/drinking abilities different to their own. These attitudes and assumptions can be barriers to people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties leading full and productive lives, and enjoying being active members of their communities.

Speech pathologists work with people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

They often work in a team with other health professionals to help people with their speech, voice, using and understanding language, interacting with others, fluency, reading, spelling, using technological and other communication devices and aids, and safely and efficiently eating and drinking. People who can benefit from speech pathology include:

  • or other oro-facial differences (speech pathologists can give advice about feeding
  • communication) pre-schoolers who are not developing communication skills at the expected rate
  • or have unusual speech characteristics people who have a developmental language disorder (DLD)
  • need support to talk understand others communicate effectively people who find it hard
  • or are unable to communicate through speech
  • use alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) methods instead (e.g. an electronic communication device
  • communication board
  • etc) people with neurological conditions that get worse over time (e.g

Speech pathologists can work in several settings, including: , and intellectual disability. You do not usually need a referral to see a speech pathologist.

A referral may be required to access some services or funding sources e.g Medicare. The types of services that speech pathologists offer include:

  • working with a person
  • their family and/or carers to develop tailored advice
  • activities exercises
  • strategies that can help them achieve their communication and/or swallowing goals educating the community about communication
  • swallowing difficulties
  • the types of interventions available
  • how we can all make a difference to the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. ’ search function enables you to search for speech pathologists in your area
  • you can narrow your search by selecting functions such as practice type
  • clinical population
  • services or area of special interest

Benefits of speech pathology babies born with a cleft lip and/or palate people who have difficulties with their speech including childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) Neurodiverse people such as those with autism children who are finding it hard to learn to read and spell people with hearing and/or vision loss, and those who communicate with them people who stutter professional voice users (e.g. teachers, singers, call centre workers) people with an acquired brain injury due to a car accident, stroke , etc people at risk of choking or who have difficulty eating or drinking safely people with physical, cognitive , and/or sensory disabilities motor neuron disease , Parkinson’s disease , dementia etc) Where speech pathologists work kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools residential aged care facilities hospitals universities rehabilitation services mental health services community health centres the justice system private practices/clinics people’s homes services for people with complex communication needs due to conditions such as autism , cerebral palsy Types of speech pathology services assessment and diagnosis of communication and swallowing/mealtime difficulties individual treatment small group sessions telepractice appointments home-

  • based programs classroom programs teacher support providing resources advice to families
  • carers consulting with staff in organisations such as residential aged care facilities
  • schools kindergartens
  • disability services throat surgeons paediatricians