FAQs

  • No, you do not need a referral.

    However, if you would like to claim a rebate (for example, if your child is having an autism assessment), then you will need a referral in order to claim. Please refer to the Fees section of this website for more information.

  • Speech Pathologists specialise in assisting people with communication and swallowing difficulties. They can work with children and adults.

    Communication difficulties can include:

    • Receptive language difficulties (difficulties understanding or comprehending language)

    • Expressive language difficulties (difficulties producing language)

    • Social communication differences (social communication is often referred to as ‘pragmatic language’)

    • Speech production difficulties (pronouncing sounds correctly)

    • Reading, writing, and spelling difficulties (literacy difficulties)

    • Stuttering

    • Voice difficulties (e.g. hoarse voice quality)

    The role of a Speech Pathologist is very broad, so most Speech Pathologists tend to specialise in a particular area or a few areas. For example, paediatric Speech Pathology. If you are looking for a Speech Pathologist, it is best to ask if they have expertise in the area that you require assistance with.

    Connection Speech Pathology Services specialise in paediatric services for children and adolescents aged 5-19 in the following areas:

    • Receptive and expressive language

    • Speech production/speech sounds

    • Social communication/pragmatic language

    • Autism

    • Literacy difficulties (reading, writing and spelling)

  • Currently our waiting list is closed for therapy referrals, as only a very limited number of therapy sessions are available. However, we are happy to provide activities for you to do at home with your child and schedule a session to demonstrate how to use the resources provided.

  • As Connection Speech Pathology is a mobile service, we are able to see children where they are most comfortable or where it may be most convenient. We can provide in-home visits, school visits, or kindergarten visits.

    On some occasions a room will be booked by the speech pathologist for assessments to take place.

  • Steps involved:

    1. Make contact with Connection Speech Pathology via our email or contact page. Please make sure that you include your contact information, as well as information about your child (date of birth/age, grade/year level, name of school, what difficulties you have noticed).

    2. We will get in touch with you to discuss what service you may need and book in an appointment for the assessment. If you would like the assessment to occur at school, please make sure you have asked the school’s permission.

    3. Paperwork will be emailed out to you to complete:

      • Client information form: This form gives us more information about your child so we can complete a thorough assessment. If you have trouble completing this form, we are happy to go through it with you.

      • Consent to share information form: This form allows you to give us permission to share information with others who are working with your child. For example, your paediatrician, child’s teacher, etc. You can choose who we can share information with. We cannot share information with others without your consent.

    4. Follow up phone call to confirm that we have all the necessary information. We may also ask some further follow up questions about your child’s development. For autism assessments a parent interview will be scheduled. This may be conducted online.

    5. Assessment appointment/s.

    6. Feedback meeting. This is when we discuss the results of the assessment and recommendations. This feedback meeting may be conducted face to face or online. You can choose to invite others to the feedback meeting if you wish.