Improving and Integrating Urban Indigenous Health Services

Speech and Language

Speech Pathology supports communication, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading and writing.

Our speech pathologists work with children to help their speech and language development as well as help their eating, reading and spelling skills.

They also work with people who may have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, a stroke, brain injuries, learning or intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, dementia and other conditions that can affect speech and language.

Jarjum

  • Speech – making sounds and talking clearly
  • Understanding what people say
  • Eating – chewing foods, sucking or swallowing
  • Identifying early learning difficulties
  • Stuttering

Adults

  • Speech and talking clearly
  • Understanding what people say
  • Changes to vocal quality (e.g. husky or hoarse sounding voice)
  • Stuttering
  • Meal support – eating and drinking safely

Jarjum

At your first appointment, the speech pathologist will yarn with you and your child and watch your child play. They will then yarn with you about areas where your child will benefit from speech pathology and what that might look like.

Adults

The speech pathologist will yarn with you to look at your strengths and challenges with speech, language and/or swallowing.  If you need support, a speech pathologist will do some activities with you. They may visit your home during mealtime to monitor eating and drinking and provide safe options.

If you have had your 715 health check, or have a GP management plan, you can request a referral from your doctor.

Or you can yarn with your doctor or nurse at one of our clinics.