Frequently asked questions

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1. Familiarity: The home or school environment is familiar to the client, which can help them to feel more comfortable and relaxed during therapy sessions. This can lead to better engagement and improved progress in therapy.
2. Accessibility: Having therapy at home or in school can be more convenient and accessible for clients and their families, especially for those who may have transportation or mobility issues.
3. Generalisation: By receiving therapy in their natural environment, clients can better apply the skills they learn in therapy to their everyday life. This can help them to better generalise their skills and improve their overall communication abilities.
4. Collaboration: When therapy is provided in the school setting, the speech pathologist can collaborate more closely with the child's teacher and other school professionals. This can help to ensure that the child's goals are being addressed in all areas of their life.
5. Parent/Caregiver involvement: When therapy is provided at home, parents or caregivers can be more involved in the therapy process. This can help them to better understand their child's needs and support their progress outside of therapy sessions.

The Speech Project offers services to NDIS participants who are either self-managed or plan-managed. Additionally, Speech Pathology services are eligible for rebates from Medicare under the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program for qualified individuals. To qualify for these rebates, individuals must have a chronic medical condition that is being managed under a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement, and they must receive a referral from their General Practitioner (GP). 

The Early Intervention (EI) Plan is a component of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that aims to provide early support to children with developmental delays or disabilities. The goal of the EI Plan is to intervene early to help improve a child's developmental outcomes and maximise their potential.

At present, the EI Plan provides support to children under the age of 7 and their families through the early childhood approach. Starting from July 1, 2023, there will be a gradual expansion of the age range covered by the early childhood approach. This expansion will include children under the age of 9, ensuring increased support for a wider range of children and their families. 

https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/9175-age-children-supported-under-ndis-early-childhood-approach-changing#:~:text=Currently%20the%20NDIS%20early%20childhood,over%20the%20next%202%20years.

Children may exhibit signs of speech or language delay, such as the absence of babbling or cooing by 9 months, limited vocabulary compared to peers by 18-24 months, difficulty comprehending or following directions, struggling to form words or speak in brief sentences by the age of 2, challenges with grammar and syntax, including incorrect verb tenses, problems with pronunciation, such as substituting sounds or omitting them in words, inability to engage in reciprocal conversation, preferring to use gestures instead of words to communicate, and experiencing difficulty with reading or writing compared to peers once they are in school.

To get your child assessed for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you can follow these steps:

1. Check eligibility: Before applying for the NDIS, check your child's eligibility on the NDIS website or by calling the NDIS Contact Centre.
2. Gather information: Collect any documentation or information that may support your child's eligibility for the NDIS, such as medical reports or assessments.
3. Complete an Access Request Form: The Access Request Form is the first step in the application process. You can fill out the form online or request a paper copy by contacting the NDIS.
4. Attend a meeting with a planner or Local Area Coordinator: Once your Access Request Form has been processed, you will be contacted by a planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to arrange a meeting. This meeting will help assess your child's needs, goals, and current supports and determine the level of funding required.

We believe it is important to provide the best possible service to our clients, which includes acknowledging our limitations. While we have expertise in certain areas, we are not specialised or experienced in addressing swallowing, feeding and mealtime difficulties. 

The fees charged by The Speech Project are consistent with the pricing outlined in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) price guide. As of 2023, the fee for a session is $193.99 per hour, and travel time will be charged at the same rate. Whenever feasible, the travel cost will be divided equally.