FAQ

"What is involved in a communication assessment?"

Basically, a lot of fun!  This may sound strange, but communication is a social development in which we talk to others, listen and attend to what is being said and respond appropriately.  So when we assess communication, we try and do it naturally by engaging your child in the thing they love to do the best - PLAY!

Of course, we do some testing as this helps us understand the developmental level your child has achieved in their speech and language skills, but this is a small part of the whole picture that we gain about your child's communication development.

So this is how it works:

Your child's assessment session lasts about 40 minutes.  During this time we discuss your concerns and get you know you a little while your child is playing.

Then we do a number of activities with your child to look at their communication development.

We discuss the assessment with you and then recommend a course of action.

By this time, your child has usually had such fun, that they want to stay and play!

"It has been recommended that my child needs speech pathology lessons - What does this mean?"

The assessment your child has received is developmentally based.  This means that your child's speech and language is compared to the expected range of normal development for a child of the same age.  If your child's speech and /or language development is below the expected range then speech therapy sessions are recommended to help your child catch up.

"How long will therapy take?"

It can be hard to estimate how long therapy will take as children take differing times to learn new skills.  However, when your child is progressing well and using speech and language expected for their developmental level then therapy will stop.  Some children are monitored for a while to make sure that they continue with their progress, other children achieve their milestones and are discharged from therapy.

"Will my child enjoy their sessions?"  

Yes.  The children love their sessions.  Your child will receive 1:1 interaction for 40 minutes.  Much of the learning is done through play and is focused on your child's individual needs.  Your child's learning is positively reinforced and there is a great sense of achievement with each learning stage.

"How can I help?"

Seeking help for your child during their early years is very important as early intervention is the key to success.

If your child is having therapy, then supporting them at home, by carrying out the homework your therapist gives you helps your child develop their milestones quicker.  Encourage and praise your child in their learning

"Can I claim any of the fees on my Health Funds or Medicare?"

There are a number of funding solutions that may be available for your child as follows:

• Enhanced Primary Care Plan (5 sessions yearly through Medicare)
• Austism Panel funding ($12,000 over a 2 year period)
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Provision (sessions available on Medicare for specific diagnoses)
• Private Health Funds (refunds available for assessment and therapy dependent on your cover)

Go to "Funding" on this website.