The wait times for speech pathologists in Geelong continue to get longer while families and participants continue to grapple with either their own speech, language and communication difficulties or those they care for.
Because of the great need for this service in our area, our Speech Pathologist, Georgia, is now offering Speech and Language Assessments and Recommendation Reports for NDIS Participants of any age while you wait for an ongoing therapy service with your chosen provider!
Georgia is a positive and enthusiastic Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and is a member of Speech Pathology Australia. Georgia has a holistic view of health and is passionate about adopting a person-centred approach to therapy and building a strong rapport with you.
What does it involve?
Our service will include:
- An assessment session with Georgia who will investigate strengths and weaknesses in your current speech and language ability.
- A follow-up recommendation report with advice on things you can do right now – tailored strategies – to support and assist speech and language development, as well as recommendations for future therapy, resources and specialist input.
- A consultation session to go through the report and recommendations and answer any questions you have.
- If appropriate, ready-to-go resources to support you, or the person you care for, with their speech and language development which you can use right away.
- If requested, we can also consider additional hours/funding for Georgia to attend the next available care team meeting to consult with the team and explain the recommendations in more detail.
- If Georgia assesses that a Therapy Assistant may be able to carry out therapeutic work with you, with her clinical oversight, we may be able to arrange ongoing therapy with a therapy assistant!
Georgia will be available every Thursday for this specialised service. Once the assessment has been completed, a report will be provided to you within three weeks (maximum).
We are also lucky enough to have the wonderful April Beaton, Georgia’s clinical supervisor, join us on school holidays who will also be available to complete assessments and recommendation reports for you or the person you care for.
You’re probably wondering where you can get this assessment done. Well, it can be completed:
- At our clinics in Geelong or Colac
- At your school (travel fees apply) or
- In your home (travel fees apply)
This way, we can provide you with excellent support and service in a place where you feel comfortable and safe.
If this sounds like something you or someone you care for is interested in, follow these few simple steps:
- Make a referral via our website at https://ays.com.au/therapy-referral-intakeform/ specifically requesting a speech and language assessment with Georgia. Don’t forget to include any current concerns or difficulties relating to you/your participants’ speech and language.
- Our Intake Team will be in touch with you within 3 business days to confirm available funding and an appointment time.
- If you agree, you will be sent intake paperwork including a service agreement for a minimum of 4 hours from your therapy budget (more hours may be needed depending on the complexity of presenting concerns).
- Once paperwork is completed, Georgia will in touch to confirm appointment times and other details.
- Georgia completes the assessment and has a consultation session with you to go over the assessment outcomes, recommendations and report contents. She will also provide you with a report which you can refer back to for strategies, and which you take with you to provide to your school, medical practitioner, the NDIA and other supports.
- You start working on some of the strategies now while you wait for ongoing therapy and specialist support.
- If Georgia assesses that a Therapy Assistant may be able to carry out therapeutic work with you, with her clinical oversight, we may be able to arrange ongoing therapy with a therapy assistant!
You’re probably thinking ‘Why are you doing this?’. Well, because you deserve it! And we can’t wait to support and empower positive change in your life!
