Frequently asked questions

The questions below are the ones parents ask us most often. If yours is not here, call (03) 9397 3165 or send the form at the bottom of this page. We usually reply within one business day.

How long until we see results?

It depends on what is going on and how long it has been going on for. As a rough guide, families often notice small but significant changes within the first four to six weekly sessions, particularly with speech sounds. Reading and spelling remediation usually takes longer, because we are rebuilding skills in a deliberate order rather than patching over gaps, however noticeable changes start to take place immediately.

What we will do is measure where your child is at the start, set goals you can actually see, and review progress with you regularly. If something is not working we change it rather than carry on. We will never promise you a fixed timeframe, because anyone who does is guessing.

What age groups do you work with?

From preschoolers through to high school students, and adults as well. Our youngest clients are toddlers whose talking is slow to start. Our oldest are adults who want private help with reading, writing or communication at work. The Literacy Made Easy program assists students from Prep to High School, and beyond.

Do you do assessments, or only therapy?

Both. In most cases we start with an assessment, because therapy without one is guesswork. An initial appointment is usually 45 minutes and establishes a starting point. We assess speech, language, literacy, dyslexia and specific learning disorders, and we explain the results to you in plain language rather than handing over a report full of jargon.

If you already have specialist or school reports, please provide these. We are happy to work from them, or to give you an independent second opinion.

How much does it cost?

Fees depend on the service, so we quote them when you contact us rather than leaving you to guess. Nobody is asked to commit to anything before they know the cost.

There are three funding paths worth asking us about:

• Medicare. Some families are eligible for a rebate on speech pathology through a care plan arranged by their GP. Your GP decides eligibility, so it is worth asking them directly.
• NDIS. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants across Australia. If speech pathology or literacy support is in your plan, we can usually work with it.
• Private health. If you have speech therapy extras cover, you may be able to claim on private health insurance.

Ask us about these on the first call and we will tell you what applies to your situation.

Is online as good as in person?

For most of what we do, yes. Speech sound therapy in particular works well on screen, because the camera often gives a child a clearer view of how a sound is made than sitting side by side does. Literacy intervention translates well too, since it is structured, one to one and highly interactive either way.

Online also removes the drive, the parking and the waiting room, which for a lot of families is the difference between attending weekly and giving up after a month. Very young children, or children who need a lot of physical support to stay engaged, sometimes do better in the room. We will tell you honestly which we think suits your child after the assessment.

Is there a waiting list?

No. Most families can start within one to two weeks of the first phone call. We hold telehealth capacity specifically so that families in areas with long local waits are not stuck.

What days and times are available?

Sessions run Monday to Sunday, including after school and evening appointments. We know that a mid-morning weekday appointment means a parent loses work and a child loses class, so we deliberately keep later and weekend times open.

Where do we see clients?

We support clients around Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and regional areas.

What happens at the first appointment?

You talk, we listen, and we assess. We take a full history, including any other languages spoken at home, because a child growing up bilingual is not the same as a child with a language disorder and the two are easy to confuse. We then explain what we found, what we would recommend, and what it will cost, so you can decide with the facts in front of you.

My child speaks another language at home. Does that matter?

It matters to how we assess, not to whether we can help. Speaking more than one language is a strength, not a disorder, but standard tests are not always fair to bilingual children. We take a child’s full language background into account before drawing conclusions, and we are glad to have an interpreter or a bilingual family member in the session.

Do you work with schools and other professionals?

Yes, with your consent. Many of the children we see are also working with a school learning support teacher, a paediatrician, a psychologist or an occupational therapist. We are happy to share assessment findings and therapy goals so that everyone is pulling in the same direction.