Speech Problems | Speech Pathology Adelaide
Speech refers to the ability to produce clear and accurate sounds that form the basis of spoken language. Difficulties in this area can make it challenging to pronounce words correctly, which may affect the ability to communicate effectively, be understood by others, and participate confidently in conversations at home, school, or in social settings.
At Thrive Health Therapies, we support individuals in developing their skills to improve clarity and intelligibility, ensuring they can communicate confidently with peers and adults and engage fully in everyday interactions.
What is Speech?
Speech refers to an individual’s ability to accurately produce speech sounds (articulation) and organise these sounds into patterns (phonological processes) to form words. Speech sound development takes time, but some individuals may struggle more than others with producing accurate sounds and forming words. This may stem from difficulties with specific sounds like “th” (articulation challenges) or a lack of understanding of the rules and patterns for producing sounds in the English language (phonological processes).
At Thrive Health Therapies, we work with individuals and their families to address challenges associated with speech sound disorders. Our speech therapists use tailored, evidence-based interventions to support and enhance the speech sound system. By targeting both articulation and phonological processes, we aim to improve intelligibility, ensuring speech is clear and easily understood in everyday interactions.
Articulation Disorders
Articulation refers to the ability to produce speech sounds accurately. This involves the coordinated movement of the lips, tongue, teeth, palate (roof of the mouth), and respiratory system (lungs). A variety of muscles and nerves also play a crucial role in producing clear speech.
If an individual has an articulation disorder, they may:
Have difficulty producing certain speech sounds correctly, such as lisping where "s" sounds like "th."
Be unable to produce specific sounds, for example, substituting "w" for "r," saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit."
Phonological Disorders
Phonology refers to the patterns and rules used to combine sounds into words.
If an individual has a phonological disorder, they may:
Produce sounds correctly but use them in the wrong position or context within a word.
Example: Saying "doe" instead of "go" by substituting the "d" sound for "g."Omit or simplify specific sounds in certain words, even though they can pronounce those sounds in isolation.
Example: Saying "lie" instead of "like" by leaving out the "k" sound.
Phonological disorders often involve multiple sound errors, making it more challenging to understand speech compared to articulation disorders, which typically affect only a few specific sounds.
Why are Speech Sounds Important?
If your child continues to experience speech sound errors, they may struggle to communicate their needs, wants, and ideas clearly, which can make it challenging to build meaningful friendships, engage in age-appropriate conversations with peers, or fully participate in their learning environment.
Speech sound errors can also affect literacy development, including reading and writing, as your child may find it difficult to recognise and analyse sounds within words, a skill known as phonemic awareness. If left unaddressed, speech sound difficulties can persist into late childhood or even adulthood, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
How Do Speech Pathologists Help with Speech Problems?
We collaborate with parents and families to empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to support their child’s speech development through meaningful, individualised home practice activities.
Parents will gain an understanding of the speech sounds typically expected at various ages and learn the correct techniques for producing these sounds. During therapy sessions, we will guide you on how to provide effective feedback to help your child improve their speech production. Additionally, we offer engaging and achievable home practice tasks to help your child continue building their skills between sessions.
How We Deliver Speech Pathology at Thrive Health Therapies
Thrive Health Therapies offers community-based, clinic-based, and telehealth speech pathology.
Community-Based Services: We provide community-based speech pathology in your home, school or kindergarten, or a location convenient to you throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic-Based Services: We provide clinic-based sessions at our Findon clinic.
Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.
Funding Options for Speech Pathology
We accept a variety of funding options, making augmentative and alternative communication therapy accessible for everyone:
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Why Choose Our Speech Pathology Services?
No wait time: We can start working with paediatric or adult clients straight away!
Experienced: Our speech pathologists have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing speech therapy services across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them.
Clinic space: Our Findon clinic has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health.
NDIS Registered: We are proudly registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.
LGBTQIA+ friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.
FAQs About Speech
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Speech is the physical act of producing sounds to form words and communicate. It involves the coordination of the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and other structures to create clear and understandable speech sounds.
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Speech is how we produce words and sounds. Language refers to how we use these words in order to communicate our wants and needs.
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No! We can start working with new clients right away.
Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.
You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.
For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.
As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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As a registered NDIS provider, interpreter services are available free of charge for NDIS participants. Please inform us if you require this service, and we will arrange this for you.
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We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.
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Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.
Please contact us for a personalised quote.
Your Trusted NDIS Registered Provider in Adelaide
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for individuals with permanent and significant disabilities. As a registered NDIS provider in Adelaide, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants. As a NDIS registered provider, we offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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