Speech pathologists aren’t one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s teaching a child how to pronounce sounds, helping a person with their sentence structure or assisting someone with swallowing disorders, interventions are customized for each client.
Many NDIS participants have goals in their plan that centre around communication. These are often outlined under the Capacity Building Supports.
Customized Interventions
Speech pathologists know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, so their interventions are customized for each client. Whether they’re teaching a child with articulation disorders how to pronounce certain sounds or helping an adult struggling with stuttering build confidence in their verbal communication, they design solutions that will help them succeed.
They also address cognitive-communication challenges such as problem-solving abilities and memory. They help people understand and express themselves better, so they can participate more fully in their social relationships and community activities. In addition, they assist individuals with swallowing and feeding difficulties, ensuring they’re safe when eating or drinking.
Lastly, they focus on improving literacy and reading comprehension skills, so participants can gain access to the written information needed for academic achievement. They also improve children’s expressive language abilities, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings more clearly.
If you’re interested in receiving speech pathology services, talk to Royal Rehab LifeWorks Cairns about securing a certified speech pathologist. They’ll help you assess your eligibility and ensure you have funding available under Capacity Building Supports (for participants nine and older) or Enhanced Daily Living (for participants younger than nine).
Long-Term Support
The right NDIS Speech Pathologist Cairns will work with you over the long haul. They understand that your communication goals are not just about getting better. They are about improving your quality of life and empowering you to do more. They will continue to reassess your needs and adjust your treatment plans, ensuring that each session is contributing to the overall goal of improving your communication skills and increasing your confidence in communicating.
While some people think that speech pathology focuses solely on the clarity of words, the reality is that it covers all aspects of communication. This includes social communication and the ability to understand conversation flows and social cues. Speech pathologists will include these aspects in their therapy, helping you to interact more easily with others and build your self-esteem.
NDIS participants can access speech pathology under Capacity Building Supports, specifically Improved Daily Living. To determine if you are eligible, simply review your NDIS plan to see if the funding written next to ‘Improved Daily Living’ is allocated to speech pathology.
NDIS speech pathologists are highly skilled and empathetic professionals who understand how challenging it is to live with a communication disorder. They are dedicated to improving the lives of everyone they meet, regardless of their level of disability. They will use this understanding to create a unique, personalized treatment plan that is suited to your individual speech and language needs.
NDIS Funding
Speech Pathologists offer a broad range of supports that can assist people with speech and language difficulties. The NDIS recognises the importance of addressing these challenges as part of an overall plan to enable participants to be more independent and participate fully in everyday activities.
For NDIS participants, speech pathology services are typically included in their core funding or can be offered using additional capital support funding. This is usually available if a GP or Paediatrician refers you for assessment and therapy through Medicare’s Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) initiative.
Many families struggle with the limited number of NDIS funded therapy hours and how best to use them. There is mounting evidence that parents who are taught how to implement specific language-building strategies can be just as, if not more, effective than their therapist. At TalkHQ, we encourage this approach by becoming Hanen certified and supporting all our clients to be empowered to take their communication development in their own hands.
If you are currently receiving NDIS funding, speak to your LAC, Early Childhood Partner or NDIS planner about how best to incorporate a Hanen-based approach to therapy into your plan. Your NDIS planner will also be able to assist you in identifying accredited providers of Hanen-based speech pathology that can deliver the support you need and work within your budget.
Comprehensive Approach
Many people have a limited understanding of what speech pathology is. They often think of it as a service for children who have trouble pronouncing their ‘r’s or those with an obvious speech impediment, but this is just a small portion of what speech pathologists can offer. Speech pathology is an allied health support service that, when delivered by qualified professionals, can help people of all ages and disabilities.
Speech pathology involves assessing, diagnosing, and providing tailored interventions for individuals with communication difficulties. This includes helping customers improve their ability to communicate, enabling them to engage in meaningful interactions with others and lead more autonomous lives. It also enables them to access educational and employment opportunities that can boost their overall wellbeing.
The services provided by a Yooralla speech pathologist are comprehensive and include support with:
While the scope of a person’s needs is entirely up to them, it is important to note that a qualified NDIS speech pathologist can help you identify your goals and provide a recommendation for a suitable provider to meet these goals. You can then work with your NDIS planner to secure a registered speech pathology provider through the NDIS. Generally, the NDIS funds speech pathology under Capacity Building Supports – Improved Daily Living. This means that you must meet certain other criteria in order to secure this funding, such as residency and age requirements.
