Why wait
to talk?
We have come up with a few initiatives to help your child access speech pathology services sooner.
Waiting for
speech pathology?
There is currently a shortage of speech pathologists across Australia.
This means many parents are waiting for months to have their child seen. We understand waiting for services can cause a lot of frustration and anxiety for parents.
An article written by some clever researchers (Dr Verdon and Dr Crowe) reported that some parents face waiting lists of up to 20 months. Even more concerning, some families felt they needed to relocate simply to access the services their child needed.
We know early intervention for speech therapy is important so we have come up with a few initiatives to help your child access speech pathology services sooner.
Alternative options to waiting for services
Assessment Only Clinic
Speech pathology assessments are important in order to get an accurate picture of your child’s strengths and/or areas of difficulties. The Assessment Only Clinic is different from the typical TalkHQ client journey as the child is booked in for the 3-part assessment appointments ONLY. Ongoing therapy is not offered as part of the Assessment Only Clinic.
The TalkHQ Assessment Only Clinic serves 2 purposes:
- Allows the speech pathologist to work out if therapy is needed or not.
- Helps parents understand the nature of their child’s communication profile and how they can benefit from single strategy sessions/group therapy while awaiting ongoing therapy.
Group Therapy
| Group Therapy | Targets | Suitable For Children In |
|---|---|---|
| Prep 4 Prep | Talking, listening and early literacy skills | Kindergarten |
| Prep Easy | Talking, listening, developing literacy skills | Prep |
| Junior Jumpstart | Talking, listening, reading and spelling | Grades 1 and 2 |
| Building Buddies | Cooperative play, problem solving, sharing, greetings, self-advocacy, language | Kindergarten + Prep, Grades 1, 2 +3, Grades 4, 5 + 6 |
| Sounds Write For Literacy | Reading, spelling and letter formation | Kindergarten + Prep, Grades 1, 2 +3, Grades 4, 5 + 6 |
| Super Size My Sentences | Vocabulary work, Speaking and writing longer descriptive sentences | Grades 1, 2 +3, Grades 4, 5 + 6 |
Intensive 1:1 During School Holidays
Sometimes, school holidays can be an easier time to focus on your child’s speech therapy.
Instead of attending once a week for 12 weeks, attend four to five times each week of the school holidays. Our speech pathologist will give you worksheets and/or activities to continue with at home until you are seen again.
If you are waiting for a regular therapy spot, this may be an option for your family. Contact us to register your child’s place for our intensive 1:1 holiday appointments.
Single Strategy Sessions
Families told us they just want to know HOW to help their child. AND we listened!
This is why we introduced our SSS system. Here are the steps:
- Your child’s communication is assessed.
- The speech pathologist shows you a strategy that will help your child.
- You practice this strategy in the therapy session with the speech pathologist coaching you.
- You practice this strategy at home
- You are offered another SSS or it is your turn to be seen for a Talk Block.
A SSS appointment is different to attending for a weekly Talk Block.
SSS appointments are typically offered when Talk Block clients are not available for their sessions due to illness or absences. They may be on different days or at different times.
Bootcamp Talk Blocks
At TalkHQ, we have moved away from the idea of “ongoing therapy”. This suggests that your child will need to see a speech pathologist indefinitely!
Bootcamp Talk Blocks alternate between 12 week Talk Blocks and 12 week Consolidation Blocks.
During the Talk Block, families commit to attending and focussing on speech pathology homework.
A Consolidation Block is when families do not visit their speech pathologist. You help the child consolidate the learning from home. You can review the activities and consolidate the strategies that were given during the Talk Block.
Bootcamp Talk Blocks fit with the NDIA’s philosophy of capacity-building. To find out more about this, click here.
Talk Online (Telehealth)
Talk Online is a great platform to access speech pathology from anywhere in Australia:
- Your child is in the comfort of their own home
- Therapy is very realistic because you can use toys/games that are already in the home
- The speech pathologist coaches you so you are confident working on strategies in between therapy sessions
- Research shows it is as effective as face to face in clinic visits.
As your Talk Online (telehealth) therapist may be located in different locations around Australia, sometimes this service has the shortest waitlist.
Allied Health Assistants
After attending the Assessment Only Clinic, you may opt to see one of our fabulous Allied Health Assistants (AHAs).
The speech pathologist develops the therapy program and the AHA implements it.
These sessions are at a very reduced rate.
For more information about what is an AHA, click here.
Speech Pathology Student Placement Sessions
At TalkHQ, we offer student placements for speech pathology students. This means they can see some clients from the waitlist as an option. All session plans and notes are reviewed by the qualified speech pathologist. A small fee is charged to cover administrative costs.
If you are interested in having your child seen by a speech pathology student while on placement at TalkHQ, please contact us.
Interested in getting
help sooner?
Here's how you can! Contact us and let us know which of the above services you are interested in. When an appointment becomes available we will be in touch.
