Paediatric Speech Pathology, St George Hospital and Community Health Service

Service type

NSW Government Service 

NSW Department of Health

South East Health

Location

Rockdale Community Health Centre 

Peakhurst Community Health Centre 

St George Hospital

Contact

Population serviced

Disorders managed include difficulties with articulation and language, stuttering, voice, and/or oral motor disorder(s); the service also specialised swallowing/feeding assessment and management.

Children seen must be within the average-borderline range of cognitive functioning. Children with a mild intellectual disability will be seen only if psychometric results suggest a specific language disorder or an articulation, voice or fluency disorder is present.

The main focus of the St George speech pathology service is for children in mainstream/integrated settings, with priority given to early intervention clients. Services to older school-aged children are restricted.

Young children with a diagnosed syndrome associated with intellectual disability (such as Down's Syndrome) should in the first instance be referred to Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care until a valid psychometric assessment indicates otherwise.

Therapy model

Appropriate treatment models are determined by the therapist, in consultation with the family. Possible options include: 

• Clinics for early intervention clients with speech or language delay, based on a parent training model. 
• Group therapy. 
• Individual therapy in 6 to 8 week blocks. 
• Regular review. 
• Parent training. 
• Home program. 
• School program.

Children aged 0-7 years may receive up to two of these interventions in one year, with an overall maximum of four interventions. Children over 7 years may receive one direct intervention only (ie individual or group) and review as required. Services to children with communication difficulties are provided at the Community Health Centres; services to children with feeding/swallowing difficulties are provided at St George Hospital. The service also provides assessment and programs for children in Language Support Classes.

Therapists available

Five speech pathologists are available.