Supporting children’s communication development
Our speech pathologists work with children from birth to school entry who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with communication. We provide early support to help children build their talking and listening skills.
The first appointment aims to understand your child’s needs and understand if we are the best service to support these. We will do some brief screening / assessments, ask you some questions, play-based activities and watch how your child communicates. This helps us discover your child’s strengths and areas for development. Then we’ll work with you to create a plan.
If we feel our service is the best service to support your child, they will be placed on a therapy waiting list. Therapy may take the form of individual sessions, group sessions, a home program or ongoing monitoring, depending on what they need.
We can help your child:
- develop early language, if they are late talkers.
- combine words to make sentences
- understand and follow directions
- learn how to say words clearly
- reduce stuttering and speak more fluently
- builds skills to play and socialise with other children, friends and family
- with any other communication concerns you may have.
More information
Children who have not started school (0 – 5 years) with mild to moderate development delays who benefit from with short-medium term therapy needs.
We are not a NDIS therapy provider.
We accept children who live or attend kinder or childcare in the local government areas of Merri-bek and Banyule. Priority is given to low-income families, and families experiencing hardships.
You need a referral to use this service. We accept referrals from parents and professionals.
To book an appointment in the Merri-bek area, call 1300 637 744.
To book an appointment at West Heidelberg or Greensborough, call 9450 2000.
Some of our services are free and some have a small cost. You can ask for further information on your eligibility and costs when you book your appointment. Please note – our fees are not covered by private insurance.
Locations
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Monday | 8.30am - 4.30pm |
| Tuesday | 8.30am - 4.30pm |
| Wednesday | 8.30am - 4.30pm |
| Thursday | 8.30am - 4.30pm |
| Friday | 8.30am - 4pm |
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4pm |
Helpful links
Guide to finding a speech pathologist – for milestones advice, information/fact sheets, finding a private speech pathologist.
Let’s Read – for reading and language learning tips.
How to teach your child language while waiting for an appointment – milestones advice and tips.
General child development and parenting information and advice.
Australian Stuttering Research Centre | University of Technology Sydney – for information on stuttering.
Helpful videos
A Holstep Health speech pathologist provides tips and hints to help parents and carers interact with children.
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