North West Speech Pathology

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: Contact North-West Speech Pathology by phone on (02) 9674 7452 or 0412 197 607, or complete the enquiry page on this website and a Speech Pathologist will be in touch to record your details, discuss our services and any questions or concerns you may have, and arrange an appointment time.

Q: Do I need a doctor’s referral?
A: No, anyone can refer for Speech Pathology. You will, however, need a doctor’s referral if you are planning to claim a rebate through Medicare (see below).

Q: How much will Speech Pathology cost?
A: Our fees are based upon the type of service we provide and the time that we spend with you. We offer a range of services including assessments, reviews, treatment sessions and programming. As these services will be tailored to your individual needs, it is not possible to list fee amounts that will apply uniformly to all clients. Please contact North-West Speech Pathology to discuss what may apply in your individual circumstances.

Q: Can I claim any rebates from my private health insurance fund or Medicare?
A: Private health insurance funds generally include Speech Pathology in their "extras" or "ancillary" cover options, so you may be eligible for rebates depending upon the level of cover you have. The amount that will be paid varies from fund to fund, and for the type of service claimed, so you will need to contact your health fund directly to determine the rebates you will receive.

You may also be eligible for rebates for up to five (5) appointments per calendar year, through the Medicare Allied Health Initiative. Your doctor will need to complete an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) form before you attend Speech Pathology. You will be required to pay for your Speech Pathology services at the time of your appointment, however your North-West Speech Pathology receipt will contain all the information required to claim your rebate from Medicare.

Some clients may be eligible to claim additional rebates from Medicare under the "Helping Children With Autism" package.

Q: How do I know Speech Pathology is required?
A: It’s never too early to ask a question or seek advice. Feel free to telephone us to discuss your concerns, and we will be happy to provide obligation free advice about whether an assessment and/or treatment may be warranted, or whether monitoring only is required.

As a general rule, Speech Pathology may be beneficial if:
  • you find people have difficulty understanding your speech
  • you or others have difficulty understanding your child’s speech
  • your child has difficulty following instructions or understanding new information
  • you often have to repeat or rephrase information and/or instructions for your child
  • your child’s vocabulary and/or ability to form sentences and tell stories is not as great as other children of the same age
  • you or your child stutter
  • you or your child speak very loudly, very softly, or with a harsh or husky voice.

You may also like to look at the guide to children’s speech and language development which can be found on this website.

Q: What happens at a Speech Pathology assessment?
A: Assessments involve a combination of approaches including interviews, observation, and formal and informal testing activities. Parents are included during children’s assessments. At the end of the assessment, the Speech Pathologist will discuss the results, including strengths and weaknesses observed, and advise whether any areas require further development or therapy intervention.

Q: What does therapy involve?
A: Therapy is generally offered as 30-minute or 45-minute appointments. During appointments, there is discussion and review of progress with previously set goals and activities, and new targets are introduced and practised. This may involve a range of table-based or formal tasks as well as less structured activities, with an emphasis on success and positive reinforcement. For children, parents are involved in the therapy sessions.

At the end of each appointment, goals and activities are provided for practice at home and in other settings such as preschool, school, work or socially. This allows the new skills to be further developed and transferred into different environments (known as "generalization").

Q: How long will I need to attend?
A: Most of our therapy appointments are offered on a fortnightly basis, although weekly or monthly appointments are also available. The number of appointments required will vary depending on the nature and severity of the communication difficulties identified, the client’s "stimulability" for correct productions (that is, how easy it is to achieve the therapy targets correctly), and the amount and quality of practice done between therapy appointments.

Q: How long will I need to wait for an appointment?
A: As we have a team of Speech Pathologists working a range of days, we can usually offer an appointment to suit you within a few days of calling.

Q: How can I get more information?
A: Contact North-West Speech Pathology by:
  • phone on (02) 9674 7452 or 0412 197 607
  • email: contact@northwestspeechpathology.com.au
  • completing the enquiry form on this website and a Speech Pathologist will contact you in response to your request.

General information about Speech Pathology can be found at: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au.