How can I make an appointment?

1. Go to Contact Us on our webpage https://www.thespeechiecrew.com.au/contact and fill in the details. Click Send.

2. We will contact you in approximately 2 working days either by phone, text or email. Please check your junk box.

Can I book my appointment online?

No. We prefer to communicate with you and help you through the booking process. This way we can answer your questions along the way.

I’ve been told my child needs speech pathology but I’m not sure?

That is completely understandable. More often than not, parents are recommended by others (e.g. GP, paediatrician, educators, etc) to seek speech pathology support. Other times, parents sense their child needs support but are not sure. We say, trust your gut and the professionals helping you and meet with us.

All new clients are offered a commitment free 30min Yarning session. This is our initial consult where you get to meet the speech pathologist, discuss your concerns and needs, learn more about how we can help, get a sense of the relationship between you, your child and the speech pathologist and see if we’re the right fit. 9 times out of 10 we are :)

What can I expect from an appointment?

A standard appointment is 60min (40min direct support + 20min admin). During the session, the speech pathologist may:

• discuss current issues

• review progress and data

• administer assessment

• provide intervention including recording data

• demonstrate intervention approaches for you to do at home

• observe parents/caregivers deliver intervention with thier child

• provide coaching and advice for home practice

• review assessment/treatment plans with you

At the end of the session, the therapist will use their admin time to:

• document the session and progress on goals (professional requirement)

• complete and provide progress notes to the client including, recommendations for practice, suggested activities, next steps

• provide documentation to parents/caregivers (typically via email)

• update and maintain client management system

Where do the appointments take place?

The location of the appointment is discussed with you by your speech pathologist. They may occur at our clinic (Tullamarine) or in the community. Our speech pathologist also provide services from St Albans Meadows Primary School. Community based appointments (e.g. school, kinder, home visits) incur a travel fee at the hourly rate (pro-rata).

How frequently will my child’s appointment’s be?

The frequency of therapy sessions vary depending on many factors (e.g. complexity of need, treatment approaches, availability of families or speech pathologist etc). We tailor a program for each of our clients using science based approaches and family centred practice that may be:

• multiple times per week

• weekly

• fortnightly

• monthly

The frequency of therapy may change over time as the program is reviewed and progress is made.

What is an assessment appointment and why do I need it?

Assessment is a critical component of the therapeutic process. It gives the speech pathologist the information needed to determine a client’s strengths and weaknesses and supports the development of a therapy plan. For information regarding speech pathology assessment, we recommend you go to the Speech Pathology Australia website here.

Our typical assessment process includes:

• case history

• completing the assessment/s with the child

• analysis, interpretation of results

• report

• meeting to discuss the results and next steps

The time/number of appointments required to complete an assessment is dependant on the:

• child’s area/s of need (often requiring multiple assessments)

• type of assessment and assessment protocols

• ability and complexity of the child’s needs

• child’s focus, attention and behaviour during the assessment

A report is required following any assessment which summarises the results and recommendations. All reports are documented and shared with our client’s parents/caregivers.

Your speech pathologist will discuss this with you the process for your child, including the expected number of sessions, appointment schedule and fees. All assessments are reports are billed at our hourly rate.

What are the fees for services?

All services are provided at the industry rate of $193.99 per hour.

I can’t make it to the appointment. What do I do?

We understand that there are times when you might not be able to make it due to illness, personal situations etc. Our cancellation policy requires 48 hours notice for avoid fees. Notice that’s provided less than 48 hours will incur a 50% fee and less than 24 hours notice is 100% of the fee.

We are committed to having positive impact on our clients and consistent attendance to appointments is a crucial component to successful improvements. Often we will have a waitlist of clients seeking our services. As such, repeated cancellations may result in suspension or cancellation of services.

I will be late to the appointment. What do I do?

We understand that there are times when you might late due to traffic, personal circumstances etc. We ask that you notify your speech pathologist asap. Your appointment may go ahead from the time of arrival until the planned end time. We cannot offer extended times. Late arrivals of 20min+ may be cancelled and recorded as a ‘failed to attend’. All late and/or cancelled appointments will incur the full appointment fee.