Speech Sounds Clinic
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Children aged 3-8 years
- Children with goals around speech sound production (pronunciation; e.g. lisps)
- Families who are prepared to complete daily home practice to support children to achieve their goals and retain their learning
- Children with some degree of resilience and ability to tolerate getting things wrong
- Children who are able to pay attention for at least 10 minutes at a time
The speech clinic is a personalised, but highly structured program, and eligibility criteria are strict. Most families of children with additional diagnoses and/or developmental support needs find that our more flexible early communication supports and goal-directed therapy services are better able to meet their needs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The speech sounds clinic:
- Is offered in the Lyneham clinic or via telehealth
- Involves weekly 30 minute appointments, which may be reduced to fortnightly appointments as you progress
- Supports speech sound production (pronunciation) goals only – families with additional or other goals will be better supported by our early communication supports or goal-directed therapy services
- Involves daily home practice activities to maximise learning and retention of new skills
- Is focused on achieving your goals in as few appointments as possible
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SPEECH SOUNDS CLINIC?
Our speech sounds clinic program is designed around evidence-based and best practice speech sound interventions.
During an appointment, you can expect:
- The speech pathologist will ask you about any progress you have noticed at home
- You will discuss your home practice program, and the speech pathologist will observe your child’s response to this during the appointment
- The speech pathologist will work with you to adjust or add new strategies to the home practice program as your child progresses
- You will learn and practice these strategies during the appointment
- The speech pathologist will work with you to troubleshoot any difficulties, and plan to complete home practice in a way that works for your family
HOW DO I ACCESS THE SPEECH SOUNDS CLINIC?
All children need a recent hearing screening to access the speech clinic. ACT residents can access this at no cost through the Children’s Hearing Service.
Appointments in the speech sounds clinic can be booked online.