When it comes to finding the right therapy for your child, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here in Australia, there are three main types of paediatric therapies: speech pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. So, what’s the difference? 

Speech Pathologists are the professionals who specialise in helping children with their communication. This includes everything from articulation disorders (problems forming speech sounds), to expressive/receptive language disorders (difficulties understanding and using language) and everything in between. Speech Pathologists work with children of all ages, from infants through to teenagers. 

Occupational Therapists help children who have difficulty with activities of daily living, such as using the toilet, getting dressed or eating a meal. They also work with children who struggle with handwriting, sensory processing or emotional and behavioural issues. 

Physiotherapists help children who have problems with movement and coordination. This can include children who are clumsy, have difficulty walking or experience pain when they move. Physiotherapists often work with children who have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or spina bifida. 

What Does a Paediatric Speech Pathologist Do? 

A paediatric speech pathologist is a specialist in helping children with communication-related disorders. They can help prevent, diagnose, and treat a range of issues, including articulation problems, stuttering, language, and voice disorders. 

A paediatric speech pathologist will work with your child to improve their communication skills. This may involve working on their pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary. They may also help your child to develop better social skills and to maintain relationships with others. 

How Can I Tell if My Child Needs Speech Therapy in Australia? 

There are a few key indicators that parents can look out for when wondering whether their child might need speech therapy in Australia. If your child is having trouble with some of the following, it might be time to get in touch with a speech pathologist: 

• Speech difficulties: This includes problems with pronunciation, clarity, and fluency. 
• Language difficulties: This includes problems understanding or using language. 
• Social communication difficulties: This includes problems with communication in both verbal and non-verbal forms or forming relationships with others 
• Oral motor difficulties: This includes problems with movements of the lips, mouth, and tongue. 

What to Expect With Paediatric Speech Therapy in Spring Forward Family Centre? 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, when you come for Paediatric Speech Therapy sessions, you can expect our experienced and professional therapists to first use an assessment process to determine the specific problem area that requires attention. They will then create a tailored intervention plan from which they will provide direct instruction on and practise forming speech, language, voice and social communication skills. 

Interventions can include strategies such as visual supports, verbal and non-verbal prompts and communication devices to help your child overcome the challenges they are facing. Your child will be using evidence-based intervention techniques to help them progress with their speech and language development.  

Benefits of Working With a Paediatric Speech Pathologist like Spring Forward Family Centre 

When you decide to work with Spring Forward Family Centre, you know that you’re getting the best Speech Pathologist services tailored specifically to your child’s needs. Working with a qualified Paediatric Speech Pathologist, who is dedicated to supporting your child and their family, has many benefits. 

First of all, having a specialist who can accurately assess and diagnose your child’s challenges provides comfort and assurance that they’re in good hands. Then, together you can develop an individualised programme of interventions tailored to their unique needs and goals that will bring about desired results. 

Interventions involve training of specific behaviours (speech sounds, vocabulary, sentence structures) as well as confidence building activities and the use of communication strategies and technology. Your child’s potential for independence and communication skills development is increased whilst also positively impacting their quality of life supporting them to develop and maintain relationships. 

Conclusion 

When it comes to finding the best support for your child, it’s important to understand the difference between paediatric speech pathology and other forms of therapy. Paediatric speech pathology is unique in that it is tailored specifically to the communication needs of children, and speech pathologists have the training and expertise to help your child reach their full potential. 

The post How Is a Paediatric Speech Pathologist Different From Other Therapies? first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.