A Speech Pathologist is a healthcare professional that specialises in assessing, diagnosing and treating communication disorders and swallowing disorders. Speech Pathologists can work with people of all ages from infants to the elderly. They help individuals improve their speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing through various therapies and interventions tailored to an individual’s needs. Speech Pathologists work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disabilities, hearing loss and other problems that affect speech and language. They also work with people who have trouble swallowing which makes eating and drinking challenging.

At BTSPS we specialise in working with children with developmental delays, hearing loss and other learning difficulties.

You might decide to seek support from a Speech Pathologist if you notice the following;

-         Your child has limited vocabulary and is not using spoken words frequently

-         Your child has difficultly following directions.

-         Your child is starting to become frustrated because they cannot communicate their needs and wants.

-         Your child has difficulty pronouncing certain sounds

-         Your child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss and you would like ongoing support to build their listening and language skills.

If you are unsure whether your child's speech or language skills are behind, the best thing to do is to contact us so that we can conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your child's speech and language skills.

Early Intervention is crucial because it allows Speech Pathologists to address communication challenges in children during critical stages of development. The brain is highly adaptable during early childhood, making it easier for children to learn and develop new skills.

By addressing communication difficulties early on, children have a better chance of overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential. Early intervention can also prevent communication issues from impacting other areas of development such as social skills, literacy skills and academic success. Early identification and supports sets children on a positive trajectory for long-term communication success and enhances their quality of life.

The duration of speech pathology support for your child will vary depending on many factors such as the severity of their communication disorder, their progress in therapy and individual needs. Some children may only require a few months to address specific challenges while others might benefit from ongoing support over a longer period. Regular assessments, help to identify your child’s needs and progress towards achieving their goals and can help to adjust their therapy plan accordingly to ensure your child receives the most effective support.

Clients will be seen either on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. The ultimate goal is to help your child develop the necessary communication skills so that they meet their goals and no longer require support.  

Currently Blossom Tree Speech Pathology Services provides mobile sessions at home and also within the community including childcare, kindergarten and school.

Our Speech Pathology sessions focus on Play Based Learning (PBL) and Routines Based Intervention (RBI).

Play is a natural and essential part of early childhood and it is also an important way for children to learn and develop their cognitive, social-emotional, language and physical skills.  Play allows children to explore and understand their world which makes learning more engaging and enjoyable.

Through play children can understand the world around them and they can develop skills like problem solving (using puzzles), turn taking (using board games) and symbolic thinking (engaging in pretend play).

In sessions, we will incorporate structured play activities suited to your child’s needs and interests and use books, pretend play and interactive games to target your child’s specific speech and language goals.

 A routines based approach integrates speech and language therapy into the daily routines and activities of a child such as bathtime, mealtime, playtime or bedtime. It involves us working closely with family members and caregivers to provide strategies and parent education to support communication in those daily contexts.