The Speech Pathology team use a dynamic, transdisciplinary and developmental approach to supporting people with communication, speech & language, and eating & drinking (dysphagia) difficulties. Our services are person-centred and strengths-based.

1. Assessment
2. Intervention Planning
3. Intervention Therapy
4. Services for Preschools & Schools
5. Training
6. Where do we provide these services?

1. ASSESSMENT

SAL Consulting Speech Pathology Services offer comprehensive assessments in the areas of communication, speech, language and eat and drinking difficulties. We recommend an initial comprehensive assessment that helps us to understand the individual and their support system. This allows us to design an individualised intervention plan that combines the individual’s goals and aspirations, skill development needs and support system requirements.

Communication, Speech & Language
A comprehensive communication, speech and language assessment involves getting to know the individual through interactions and observations, discussion with those closest to them, as well as information sharing and/or discussion with other professionals. Depending on the individual’s situation and needs, it may be appropriate to observe their interactions in different environments e.g. home, school, preschool, day program.

Assessment sessions typically take up to one and a half hours however this is flexible according to the individual’s needs. Sometimes it may be appropriate to conduct the assessment over a few sessions.

There are times when a formal standardised speech and language assessment may be appropriate. In this situation, the speech pathologist will provide information to the individual and their carers about the assessment and the assessment conditions.

At SAL Consulting we view the individual and their carers as partners in the assessment and intervention process. It is the individual themselves and the people closest to them that know and understand them best. We ask that the individual and/or their carer complete a case history form prior to the initial assessment session. We believe it is important to integrate this information with the assessment information to allow a developmentally informed understanding of the individual, their strengths and areas of need.

Following the assessment a comprehensive communication, speech and language assessment report will be provided.

Eating & Drinking difficulties (dysphagia)
A comprehensive eating and drinking assessment involves getting to know the individual through observations during a mealtime, discussions with the individual and their carers, information sharing and/or discussion with other professionals.

We believe that it is crucial to understand the individual’s eating and drinking difficulties within the context of their social environment. For this reason, our eating and drinking assessments are usually conducted within the individual’s familiar and regular environment(s) e.g. home, school, day program.

Assessment sessions typically take up to an hour and a half but will vary depending on the individual’s needs. Sometimes, it will be helpful to video record the assessment session. If this is indicated, the speech pathologist will talk to the individual and their carers about this before the assessment.

At SAL Consulting we view the individual and their carers as partners in the assessment and intervention process. It is the individual themselves and the people closest to them that know and understand them best. We ask that the individual and/or their carer complete a case history form and food diary prior to the initial assessment session. We believe it is important to integrate this information with the assessment information to allow a developmentally informed understanding of the individual’s eating and drinking needs.

Based on the information provided in the case history form and food diary, the speech pathologist will discuss the assessment in more detail with the individual and/or their carers in terms of food consistencies and equipment required for the assessment.

Following the assessment a comprehensive eating and drinking assessment report and an individualised mealtime management plan will be completed. There is also an option for a DVD version of the individualised mealtime management plan.

It may be necessary to make referrals to other professionals for a holistic approach to management of the individual’s eating and drinking. This will be discussed with the individual and their carers following the assessment.

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2. INTERVENTION PLANNING

Our approach to intervention planning combines the interests and goals of the individual and those closest to them, the best available evidence in the field and our many years of clinical experience.

Intervention plans are individualised and delivered flexibly in order to provide the best opportunities for the individual to meet their goals. We firmly believe that strategies to support an individual to meet their goals need to be integrated into everyday activities that occur within the individual’s schedule.

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3. INTERVENTION THERAPY

Intervention involves providing fun, flexible and developmentally appropriate individualised programs for individual people. In order to provide the highest quality service our intervention is focused on:

• Meeting the individual’s needs and personal interests within the context of their support system;
• Building positive relationships and a collaborative team-based approach; &
• Developing a good match between the individual’s abilities, personal goals and their support system: in order to promote active participation and positive outcomes.

Our clinicians are Hanen Certified Speech Pathologists, and believe in developing programs that facilitate parents and carers to be active participants in the intervention process. Evidence suggests that this is beneficial to achieving the best possible communication outcomes for the individual.

An intervention session typically takes up to an hour and may include:

• Goal setting with the individual and their parent/carer (etc);
• Discussing progress and areas for development;
• Possible video taping of sessions in order to enhance individual learning and reflective practice;
• Parent / Carer support and training to implement therapeutic activities;
• Therapeutic activities that are focused on the individual’s strengths and interests.

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4. SERVICES FOR PRESCHOOLS & SCHOOLS

SAL Consulting speech pathology offers a range of services specifically for preschools, schools and teachers. These services can be customised according to the individual needs of the school and its’ students. We are committed to working collaboratively with schools to develop classroom environments that are equipped for providing enriched learning experiences for those students who struggle with learning and communication.

Customised speech pathology packages for schools may include:

• Consultation with teachers about individual students in their classrooms that they struggle to “get through to” due to learning, behavioural and/or intellectual difficulties;
• Planning and programming in collaboration with the teacher to develop strategies that support specific students, but in the context of the broader classroom environment;
• Specific training focused on supporting children with complex needs in academic learning environments; as well as
• Specific support in the implementation of programs and strategies.

Customised training packages may include:

• Supporting Students with Language Disorder in the Classroom: Developing the Ideal Classroom Environment
• Supporting Students with Complex Trauma and/or Behavioural Difficulties in the Classroom
• Supporting Students with Complex Communication Needs in the Classroom
• Supporting Language and Literacy Development through Book Reading

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5. TRAINING

SAL Consulting is a Registered Training Organisation and the speech pathology service offers a range of customised training packages and workshops in the areas of communication, dysphagia and pre-literacy development.

General training packages in these areas include:

• Supporting People with Complex Communication Needs
• Supporting People with Autism & Communication Impairment
• Managing Dysphagia, Eating and Drinking Difficulties
• Communication Support for People with Experience of Trauma and Abuse

We also offer:

• Hanen It Takes Two To Talk® Carer Education Workshops - These workshops are delivered in small personalised groups and focus on practical strategies for parents and carers to help their children learn language naturally throughout the day. The program consists of a pre-program consultation, 6-8 workshop sessions and individual visits with the speech pathologist for additional support to implement the strategies. See the Hanen website for more information.

Contact our speech pathologists to discuss your individual training needs. See SAL Consulting's Training page for more information on SAL Consulting training packages.

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6. WHERE DO WE PROVIDE SERVICES?

We are flexible in our delivery of services and believe that the support system and environment of the individual are crucial elements in the intervention process. It is important for us to understand the individual in the context of their social environments to develop meaningful intervention plans to support the individual to reach their goals.

We provide services in the clinic, home environment, school, preschool and day placement.

Please note: additional costs occur for visits outside the clinic

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