Children’s Speech Pathology Adelaide
Thrive Health Therapies provides children’s speech pathology and speech therapy services across metropolitan Adelaide. Our speech pathologists support children and young people with speech, language, literacy, fluency, social communication, play, feeding, swallowing and multimodal communication. Appointments are available at our accessible Findon clinic, in homes, schools, kindergartens and other convenient locations across Adelaide. Telehealth appointments may also be available where appropriate. Our individualised, family-centred and neuroaffirming approach focuses on helping each child communicate, participate and feel more confident in everyday life.
How Can a Children’s Speech Pathologist Help?
Children’s speech pathologists assess and support the skills children use to communicate, interact, learn, eat and drink. Speech therapy may help a child communicate more effectively with family and friends, participate at school or kindergarten, develop literacy skills, or experience safer and more comfortable mealtimes.
At Thrive Health Therapies, support is tailored to your child’s strengths, needs and goals. Depending on your child, therapy may involve structured activities, play-based learning, visual supports, AAC, parent coaching or practical strategies that can be used at home and in other everyday environments.
Our Children’s Speech Pathology Services
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Speech
Support for children who find certain sounds difficult to produce or whose speech is difficult for other people to understand. This can include articulation and phonological difficulties.
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Receptive Language
Helping children understand spoken language, including instructions, questions, concepts and conversations.
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Expressive Language
Supporting children to communicate their thoughts, needs, ideas and feelings using words, sentences or other communication methods.
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Stuttering and Fluency
Assessment and therapy for children who repeat sounds or words, prolong sounds, experience blocks or find speaking effortful.
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Literacy
Supporting the foundational skills used for reading, spelling and writing, including recognising and working with sounds in words.
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Social Communication
Helping children develop skills for interacting with others, participating in conversations and building relationships in ways that respect their individual communication style.
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Multimodal Communication
Helping children communicate through the methods that work best for them. This may include speech, gestures, signs, pictures, communication boards or augmentative and alternative communication devices.
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Play and Early Communication
Supporting the play, interaction, shared attention and early communication skills that contribute to a child’s development and participation.
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Dysphagia and Swallowing
Supporting children who have difficulty safely and comfortably swallowing food, drinks or saliva.
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Feeding Support
Supporting children to develop the skills and confidence needed to explore foods and participate more comfortably in mealtimes.
When Might a Child Benefit From Speech Therapy?
You may consider speaking with a children’s speech pathologist if your child:
Is difficult for family members or other people to understand
Has difficulty producing particular speech sounds
Uses fewer words or shorter sentences than expected
Has difficulty understanding questions or following instructions
Becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
Repeats or prolongs sounds and words or becomes stuck when speaking
Finds conversations or social communication challenging
Has difficulty learning to read, write or spell
Communicates using limited speech and may benefit from AAC
Has difficulty chewing, swallowing or managing different food textures
Has experienced a change or loss in their communication or feeding abilities
Children develop at different rates, and these signs do not necessarily mean that something is wrong. A speech pathology assessment can help identify your child’s strengths, clarify their support needs and provide practical recommendations.
Who Do Our Paediatric Speech Pathologists Support?
Our Adelaide speech pathologists work with children and young people with a wide range of developmental, communication, feeding and swallowing needs. This includes children with:
Speech sound difficulties
Developmental language disorder or language delay
Autism
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Global developmental delay
Intellectual disability
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome and other genetic conditions
Prematurity
Physical or neurological conditions
Complex communication needs
Feeding or swallowing difficulties
A formal diagnosis is not required to access services. Families can contact us directly if they have concerns about their child’s communication, development, feeding or swallowing.
Children’s Speech Pathology Assessments
Our paediatric speech pathologists provide assessments and reports based on each child’s individual needs. These may include:
Social communication assessments
Literacy and phonological awareness assessments
Feeding assessments
Following the assessment, your speech pathologist will explain the findings and discuss recommendations with you. Where appropriate, these recommendations may include therapy, strategies for home or school, collaboration with other professionals, further referrals or ongoing monitoring.
What Happens at the First Appointment?
Your child’s first speech pathology appointment gives the therapist an opportunity to understand your concerns, your child’s strengths and what your family would like support with.
The appointment may include:
Discussing your child’s development, health and communication history
Talking about the situations your child finds easier or more challenging
Observing your child communicating or playing
Completing formal or informal assessment activities
Identifying meaningful goals with your family
Discussing recommendations and possible next steps
The assessment process will vary according to your child’s age, communication style and reason for referral. You are welcome to bring relevant reports or information from your child’s school, kindergarten, doctor or other therapists.
Our Approach to Children’s Speech Therapy
We recognise that every child communicates, learns and participates differently. Our speech pathologists take a neuroaffirming approach, recognising and respecting each child’s individual way of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world. They work collaboratively with children, parents, carers, educators and other health professionals to provide coordinated support where appropriate.
Therapy focuses on meaningful and specific goals rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We aim to build on each child’s strengths, respect their communication preferences and provide families with strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines.
Meet Our Adelaide Children’s Speech Pathologists
Our experienced speech pathologists provide individualised, neuroaffirming support for children and young people across Adelaide. Learn more about their qualifications, experience and clinical interests.
Caine De Ryke (he/him)
Caine graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2020. Since then he’s been providing therapy to both children and adults across a wide range of disabilities and conditions. Coming from years of working as a rural generalist, Caine has experience in providing comprehensive assessment and individualised therapy for children and adults across a wide range of areas including speech, language, literacy, feeding and dysphagia. In his spare time, Caine enjoys surfing, woodworking and gaming.
Senior Speech Pathologist
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Caine provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Children & Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & southern suburbs of Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, speech & language assessments, swallowing assessments
Clinical Expertise In:
Autism
ADHD
Learning difficulties
Developmental disorders
Genetic disorders
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Lara Williams (she/her)
Lara graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) from Flinders University in 2021. She has experience working with both children and adults across clinic and community settings. Lara has a strong passion for paediatrics, with particular interest in speech sound disorders, early intervention, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), literacy, language, and AAC. She is committed to providing individualised, neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based therapy in collaboration with families, educators, and other professionals. Lara enjoys travelling, exploring new restaurants, and winding down with a good movie.
Senior Speech Pathologist
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Lara provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Children & Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & throughout metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, speech & language assessments, swallowing assessments
Clinical Expertise In:
Autism
ADHD
Learning difficulties
Developmental disorders
Genetic disorders
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Shakira has experience providing adult and paediatric assessment and intervention across a range of practice areas in both clinic and community settings. She has a strong passion for working across the lifespan, with experience in dysphagia and mealtime management, motor speech and voice therapy, AAC, cognitive-communication and neurorehabilitation. She is committed to delivering individualised, neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based therapy in collaboration with clients, families, educators, and other professionals to support meaningful outcomes.
Senior Speech Pathologist
Shakira Marin (she/her)
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Shakira provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Children & Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, speech & language assessments, swallowing assessments
Clinical Expertise In:Autism
ADHD
Learning difficulties
Developmental disorders
Genetic disorders
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Tess Salter (she/her)
Speech Pathologist
Tess graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Southern Cross University in 2023. With a strong passion for early intervention and supporting children to communicate in ways that reflect their individual strengths and interests, she uses her experience in speech, literacy, early language development, and AAC to offer comprehensive support. Tess has experience working with children across clinic, school, home, telehealth and community settings and is committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based, family-centred therapy. Outside of work, Tess enjoys reading, exploring cafés and restaurants, and practising/teaching yoga.
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Tess provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Infants, Children & Adolescents
Service Locations: Home, School, Clinic, Community & Telehealth
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, speech and language assessments, early intervention
Clinical Expertise In:
Neurodivergent Support (including autism, ADHD, PDA, sensory processing disorders)
Developmental difficulties
Intellectual disabilities
Mental Health
Learning Difficulties
Vincy Chan (she/her)
Speech Pathologist
Vincy graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2022. She has extensive experience supporting children and adults with diverse disabilities and is passionate about creating meaningful change across the lifespan. Her primary clinical interests include early intervention, speech sound disorders, language, literacy, AAC, and paediatric feeding development. Committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based care, Vincy collaborates closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary professionals. Vincy enjoys travelling, crocheting, and watching K-dramas.
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Vincy provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Children & Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, speech & language assessments, swallowing assessments.
Clinical Expertise In:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Learning difficulties
- Developmental disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, - MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Where We Provide Children’s Speech Pathology in Adelaide
At our Findon clinic
We provide children’s speech pathology services at our clinic in Findon. Our dedicated paediatric therapy space includes engaging equipment and resources that can be adapted to different communication, play, sensory and developmental goals.
Home, Kindergarten, School and Community Visits
We provide mobile children’s speech pathology across metropolitan Adelaide, including appointments at home, school, kindergarten or another convenient location. Mobile availability depends on your location and the availability of an appropriate speech pathologist.
Telehealth
Where appropriate, children’s speech therapy appointments may be provided through secure video calls. Telehealth can be useful for parent coaching, some forms of assessment and therapy, or when travelling to the clinic is difficult.
Funding Options for Children’s Speech Pathology
Thrive welcomes children accessing speech pathology through:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Private health insurance
Private funding
GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP)
Funding availability depends on your child’s individual plan, policy or eligibility.
A GP referral is not required for NDIS-funded or privately funded services. An appropriate GP referral and care plan are required to claim eligible Medicare rebates through a GPCCMP.
Why Families Choose Thrive Health Therapies
Current availability: We are currently welcoming new children’s speech pathology referrals.
Experienced clinicians: Our speech pathologists have experience supporting children and young people with a wide range of communication, developmental, feeding and swallowing needs.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing speech pathology across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic space: Our fully accessible clinic in Findon has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities. Learn more about our paediatric therapy spaces.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health. Learn more about our team.
NDIS Provider: We provide services to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.
LGBTQIA+ Friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families. Learn more about LGBTQIA + inclusive practice at Thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Children’s speech pathology involves assessing and supporting communication, speech, language, literacy, fluency, feeding and swallowing. A children’s speech pathologist may work directly with the child and provide strategies or coaching for parents, carers and educators.
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No. A child does not need a formal diagnosis to access privately funded speech pathology. You can contact Thrive Health Therapies if you have concerns about your child’s communication, speech, language, literacy, feeding or swallowing.
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You can refer your child directly for privately funded or NDIS-funded speech pathology. If you intend to claim a Medicare rebate through a Chronic Disease Management plan, you will need an appropriate referral and care plan from your GP.
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Speech pathology may be funded when it relates to a child’s disability, functional needs and NDIS goals. Funding depends on the child’s individual NDIS plan.
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Yes. Our speech pathologists can provide appointments at schools, kindergartens, homes and other community locations across metropolitan Adelaide. This depends on therapist availability, travel requirements and permission from the school or kindergarten.
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Yes. Our speech pathologists support children experiencing difficulties with eating, drinking, chewing, swallowing, food textures and mealtimes. Contact our team so we can determine whether your child’s needs match the experience and availability of an appropriate therapist.
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Children can access speech pathology at different ages depending on their communication, feeding or developmental needs. If you are concerned, you do not need to wait until your child reaches a particular age before seeking professional advice.
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The recommended frequency depends on your child’s needs, goals, funding and the type of support being provided. Your speech pathologist will discuss suitable options following the initial assessment and review the plan as therapy progresses.
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Thrive Health Therapies are currently welcoming new children’s speech pathology referrals. Availability can vary between locations, appointment times and areas of practice, so please contact our team for current information.
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