Speech therapy

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Speech Pathologists assess and treat children who have delays or difficulties in communication (including speech, language (comprehension and use of language), play and social skills, non verbal communication (including eye contact, joint attention) and literacy (including pre-reading skills). 

 The ability to understand and interpret spoken or written information. Children with receptive language difficulties can find it hard to follow instructions, understand questions and/or comprehend oral or written information. Difficulties can result in a receptive language delay

 The use of spoken and written words to express ideas in a way that other people can understand (eg using correct words, grammar and sentence structure). Difficulties result in an expressive language delay.

The way speech sounds are made using the tongue, lips, teeth and palate. A speech delay can include isolated sound errors (articulation), patterns of sound errors (phonology) and motor planning (dyspraxia). 

Involves disruptions in the flow of speech. Stutters can present as repeating sounds, syllables, words or phrases as well as prolongations (extensions) of sounds in words and blocks in words or sentences. 

 Involves reading, writing and spelling skills. It involves the acquisition and understanding of letter-sound relationships, sight word recognition, knowing how to separate sounds in a word and blend them together, manipulating sounds in words. Reading comprehension  is also an important aspect of literacy development, as comprehension is a vital part of all learning.

Social skills are verbal and non-verbal skills we use to communicate with others. These can include sharing, taking turns, understanding and interpreting body language and facial expressions, asking and answering relevant questions and understanding social rules.