Speech pathologists

Speech pathologists work with people, their family and carers, other professionals, and the community to improve the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing/mealtime difficulties.

People with communication and/or swallowing disability often find it hard to do many things that a lot of us take for granted. These may include speaking clearly, sending an email, ordering and enjoying a morning coffee etc. These limitations can restrict participation in everyday life.

In addition to these challenges, people sometimes react negatively when others have communication and/or eating/drinking abilities different to their own. These attitudes and assumptions can be barriers to people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties leading full and productive lives, and enjoying being active members of their communities.

Speech pathologists work with people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. They often work in a team with other health professionals to help people with their speech, voice, using and understanding language, interacting with others, fluency, reading, spelling, using technological and other communication devices and aids, and safely and efficiently eating and drinking.

Benefits of speech pathology

People who can benefit from speech pathology include:

• babies born with a cleft lip and/or palate or other oro-facial differences (speech pathologists can give advice about feeding and communication)
• pre-schoolers who are not developing communication skills at the expected rate, or have unusual speech characteristics
• people who have a developmental language disorder (DLD) and need support to talk and understand others and communicate effectively
• people who have difficulties with their speech including childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
• Neurodiverse people such as those with autism
• children who are finding it hard to learn to read and spell
• people with hearing and/or vision loss, and those who communicate with them
• people who stutter
• professional voice users (e.g. teachers, singers, call centre workers)
• people with an acquired brain injury due to a car accident, stroke, etc
• people at risk of choking or who have difficulty eating or drinking safely
• people with physical, cognitive, and/or sensory disabilities
• people who find it hard, or are unable to communicate through speech and use alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) methods instead (e.g. an electronic communication device, communication board, etc)
• people with neurological conditions that get worse over time (e.g. motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia etc)
• people that need surgery to remove cancer of the tongue, voice box/larynx etc.

Where speech pathologists work

Speech pathologists can work in several settings, including:

• kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools
• residential aged care facilities
• hospitals
• universities
• rehabilitation services
• mental health services
• community health centres
• the justice system
• private practices/clinics
• people’s homes
• services for people with complex communication needs due to conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability.

You do not usually need a referral to see a speech pathologist. A referral may be required to access some services or funding sources e.g Medicare.

Types of speech pathology services

The types of services that speech pathologists offer include:

• assessment and diagnosis of communication and swallowing/mealtime difficulties
• working with a person, their family and/or carers to develop tailored advice, activities, exercises, and strategies that can help them achieve their communication and/or swallowing goals
• individual treatment
• small group sessions
• telepractice appointments
• home-based programs
• classroom programs and teacher support
• providing resources and advice to families and carers
• consulting with staff in organisations such as residential aged care facilities, schools, kindergartens, disability services, volunteer organisations etc
• educating the community about communication and swallowing difficulties, the types of interventions available, and how we can all make a difference to the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

The Speech Pathology Australia 'Find a Speech Pathologist' search function enables you to search for speech pathologists in your area, and you can narrow your search by selecting functions such as practice type, clinical population, services or area of special interest.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Speech Pathology Australia Find a Speech Pathologist service or Tel. 1300 368 835 or (03) 9642 4899
• Community health centre
• Maternal child health nurse
• Your child's school or childcare service
• Hospital based allied health departments
• Medical specialists such as ear nose and throat surgeons, paediatricians, neurologists.