Paediatric Speech Pathology in Adelaide

Every child develops at their own pace, but some signs that a speech pathology consultation might be helpful include: your child is difficult to understand and is becoming frustrated, they find following instructions difficult, joining or engaging in back and forth conversations is hard, they are avoiding talking, they are finding reading, writing or phonics difficult at school, a childcare educator or teacher has mentioned some things to explore further, or mealtimes are consistently stressful. If you are unsure, the best first step is to get in touch — we are happy to talk it through before you book.

We support babies and caregivers with early communication development, and then from toddlerhood through to school age. Whether you have concerns about your baby’s early communication, a 2-year-old’s first words or a 10-year-old’s literacy, our team works with a wide range of ages and stages.

Yes. We support children who use or would benefit from Augmentative and Alternative Communication — including low-tech (core vocabulary and language stimulation boards) and high-tech (speech-generating devices, communication apps such as Proloquo2go, Proloquo, LAMP WFL. Grid 3). We work collaboratively with families, educators and other support teams to make sure AAC is embedded meaningfully across your child’s environments.

Yes. Late talking is one of the most common reasons families come to see us. Our speech pathologists assess your child’s current communication profile and work with you on practical strategies to support language development at home, as well as direct therapy when it’s the right fit.

Yes. For children who are working with both an OT and a speech therapy at SPOT, joint sessions can be arranged where this supports the child’s goals.

Absolutely. A significant proportion of the children we support are autistic or have ADHD. We use a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach — which means we work with each child’s unique communication style and sensory needs rather than trying to fit them into a single template of “normal.” We are continually growing our practice to better reflect the latest evidence and the voices of autistic adults and self-advocates.

No GP referral is required to book with us. You can contact us directly to arrange an initial appointment. If your child has an NDIS plan (self-managed or plan-managed), a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, an M.10 Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions, or private health cover with extras, these may help cover costs — get in touch and we can help you work out what applies to your situation.