Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health offers expert Speech Therapy services in Perth for children & adults. Specialising in communication disorders, speech delays. We. can provide in-clinic or mobile visits. We support NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, Medicare and Private clients. Book an appointment today.

A speech therapist or speech pathologist can treat and assist with a wide range of communication, speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders. Here's a comprehensive list:

Speech Disorders

1. Articulation Disorders: Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly.

2. Phonological Disorders: Patterns of speech sound errors (e.g., replacing "r" with "w").

3. Apraxia of Speech: Difficulty coordinating the movements needed for speech.

4. Dysarthria: Weakness in the muscles used for speaking, often due to neurological conditions.

Language Disorders

1. Expressive Language Disorders: Difficulty expressing thoughts, ideas, or emotions using language.

2. Receptive Language Disorders: Difficulty understanding spoken or written language.

3. Mixed Expressive-Receptive Language Disorders: Both expressive and receptive language challenges.

4. Developmental Language Delays: Delays in language skills compared to age-appropriate norms.

5. Aphasia: Language impairment typically caused by stroke or brain injury affecting speaking, understanding, reading, or writing.

Voice Disorders

1. Hoarseness or Strained Voice: Issues with pitch, volume, or vocal quality due to vocal fold problems.

2. Vocal Cord Paralysis: Difficulty speaking due to damage to the nerves controlling vocal cords.

3. Resonance Disorders: Problems with how air flows through the nose and mouth during speech, affecting voice quality (e.g., hypernasality or hyponasality).

4. Laryngitis affected voice.

5. Vocal Cord Strain: caused by singing, using your voice loudly.

6. Acid Reflux (GORD): Hoarseness due to acid reflux.

7. Vocal Nodules or Polyps

Fluency Disorders

1. Stuttering: Disruptions in the flow of speech, including repetitions, prolongations, and blocks.

2. Cluttering: Rapid, disorganized speech that can be hard to understand.

Social Communication Disorders

1. Pragmatic Language Disorders: Difficulty with the social aspects of communication (e.g., knowing how to take turns in conversation, understanding nonverbal cues).

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Assisting with communication challenges, social interaction, and understanding language in context.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders

1. Memory Problems: Difficulties with recalling information, common after brain injuries or neurological conditions.

2. Problem-Solving Difficulties: Struggles with reasoning, organising thoughts, or decision-making.

3. Attention Deficits: Problems focusing and maintaining attention during communication.

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

1. Difficulty Swallowing Food or Liquids: Identifying issues with swallowing and working on improving safety and function.

2. Choking or Coughing While Eating: Addressing risks associated with aspiration (when food or liquid enters the airway).

3. Feeding Disorders in Children: Helping children who have difficulty with eating certain textures or food aversions.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

1. Nonverbal Communication: Helping individuals who are nonverbal or have limited verbal abilities use communication devices or strategies (e.g., picture boards, speech-generating devices).

Hearing Impairments

1. Communication Strategies for Hearing Loss: Assisting individuals with hearing impairments to develop communication skills using speechreading, auditory training, or AAC.

2. Auditory Processing Disorders: Difficulty understanding spoken language despite normal hearing ability.

Neurological Conditions

1. Stroke or Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Assisting with language, speech, and swallowing issues caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other neurological conditions.

2. Progressive Neurological Disorders: Speech and communication support for conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Dementia.

3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Paediatric Services

1. Developmental Delays: Supporting early speech and language development in children with delays.

2. Speech Sound Disorders in Childhood: Addressing childhood apraxia, articulation delays, and phonological disorders.

3. Early Literacy and Phonological Awareness: Helping children develop the foundational skills needed for reading and writing.

Cleft Palate or Craniofacial Disorders

1. Speech and Resonance Therapy: Assisting with speech difficulties due to structural issues in the mouth, nose, or throat.

A speech therapist can work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, helping them communicate more effectively and address any issues that affect their ability to speak, understand language, or swallow.

Psychogenic Disorders

1. Psychogenic Voice Disorders

2. Conversion Disorder

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

1. Laryngectomy Rehabilitation

2. Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation

Gender Affirming Voice

1. Speech Therapy for Transfemale- Voice

2. Speech Therapy for Trans-male Voice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Speech Therapy

Q: What does a speech therapist do?
A speech therapist, also known as a speech pathologist, diagnoses and treats individuals with communication, speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They work with both children and adults to improve their ability to communicate effectively and manage swallowing difficulties.

Q: What are common signs that my child needs speech therapy?

Some common signs that a child might need speech therapy include:

• Difficulty pronouncing words or making speech sounds

• Delayed speech development (not speaking by age 2)

• Struggling to form sentences or use correct grammar

• Trouble following directions or understanding language

• Stuttering or difficulties with fluency

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to consult a speech therapist for an assessment.

Q: Can speech therapy help adults after a stroke?

Yes, speech therapy can help adults who have experienced a stroke by improving speech clarity, language skills, and swallowing function. Speech therapists work with stroke survivors to restore communication abilities and regain independence in their daily lives.

Q: Is speech therapy covered by the NDIS?

Yes, speech therapy is covered under the NDIS for individuals with disabilities. If you have NDIS funding, our team can help you access speech therapy services that align with your goals and needs.

Q: How long does speech therapy take?

The length of speech therapy depends on the individual’s specific needs and the severity of the communication or swallowing disorder. Some clients may see significant improvement in a few months, while others may require ongoing therapy over a longer period.

Q: Is speech therapy covered by Medicare?

Speech therapy may be covered by Medicare under a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) for eligible patients. You will need a referral from your GP, and the plan allows for up to five subsidized sessions each year.