Question 1

What does a Speech Pathologist do?

Accepted Answer

A Speech Pathologist helps children and adults with communication and feeding skills. This can include speech clarity, understanding and using language, social communication, literacy, stuttering, voice, and swallowing. At Each Speech Pear Plum, we specialise in supporting children aged 0–8 years with speech sound disorders, early language, early literacy, and functional communication.

Question 2

How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve noticed your child is having difficulty being understood, understanding others, expressing themselves, learning new words, following instructions, or interacting socially, it’s worth seeking advice. You don’t need to be certain — part of our role is to assess your child’s skills and guide you on whether therapy is needed, what type, and how often.

Not sure if therapy is the next step? We’ve got you covered! We offer 30-minute Consultative Guidance Calls.(https://greenerstudio.wixstudio.io/each-speech/online-bookings) (https://greenerstudio.wixstudio.io/each-speech/online-bookings)We chat with you, answer your burning questions and help you figure out the best way to support your child. Whether you’re on our waitlist or just trying to decide if therapy is right, a call could be a great solution.

Question 3

At what age should I consider speech therapy for my child?

Accepted Answer

It’s never too early to seek advice. We see children from birth onwards, and early support can make a big difference. If you have concerns — even if your child is a toddler — an initial consultation can help you understand whether therapy, monitoring, or simple home strategies are the best next step.

Question 4

Do I need a referral to see a Speech Pathologist?

Accepted Answer

No referral needed. You can book an appointment with us directly. However, if your GP has given you a Medicare plan, you may be eligible for some handy rebates to help cover the cost.

Question 5

What is your approach to working with children?

Accepted Answer

We use a child-led, play-based, and neuro-affirming approach. This means we follow your child’s interests, build on their strengths, and create an environment where they feel safe, understood, and motivated. We believe that therapy works best when it’s built on trust and connection, and we work closely with families to help you feel confident supporting your child outside of sessions.

Question 6

Do you work with all ages and needs?

Accepted Answer

We currently work with children aged 0–8 years, focusing on speech sound disorders, early language, early literacy, and functional communication. If your child’s needs fall outside these areas, we’ll do our best to connect you with a service that’s a better fit.

Question 7

How do you decide how often my child will have therapy?

Accepted Answer

We base our recommendations on your child’s needs, goals, and the best available evidence — not just on diary availability. After the initial appointment, we’ll discuss the type, frequency, and format of therapy that will give your child the best chance of progress, while also considering your family’s capacity.

Question 8

Do I need a service agreement before starting therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes — all families have a signed service agreement in place before starting ongoing therapy, regardless of whether sessions are NDIS-funded or privately funded.
This agreement outlines:
 • The supports we’ll provide
 • Your child’s goals
 • The frequency and type of sessions
 • Fees and payment terms
 • Our key policies

Having a service agreement ensures clarity, transparency, and mutual understanding from the very beginning. It also means you know exactly what to expect and how we’ll work together to support your child’s progress.

Question 9

Why don’t you offer ongoing appointments before the initial appointment?

Accepted Answer

At Each Speech Pear Plum, our initial appointment is an important first step.
It’s where we:
 • Get to know your child and family
 • Complete any necessary assessment
 • Understand your goals and your child’s needs

This information allows us to make evidence-based recommendations about the most appropriate therapy pathway — including the type, frequency, and format of ongoing sessions — so that any time we book is purposeful and best supports your child’s progress.

It also gives us the chance to begin building the child–clinician connection, which is a vital part of therapy success, and to ensure that we’re the right fit for each other before committing to an ongoing schedule.

Booking ongoing therapy before this step can sometimes mean committing to a plan that doesn’t actually suit your child’s needs. By waiting until after the initial session, we can make sure we’re setting your child up for success from the very beginning.

If we agree to proceed with ongoing therapy, we’ll put a service agreement in place before sessions start. This ensures clarity, transparency, and mutual understanding from day one.

Question 10

What happens if we decide not to continue after the initial appointment?

Accepted Answer

That’s completely fine. We’ll provide recommendations for next steps, which may include home strategies or referrals to other services. If you do choose to continue with us, we’ll finalise a service agreement before starting ongoing therapy so expectations are clear and everyone is on the same page.