What is Speech Pathology/Speech Therapy?
Speech pathology, speech therapy and speech language pathology all refer to the same field of practice. Speech Pathologists complete a four-year Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) or two-year Master’s degree. Speech Pathologists provide assessment, therapy and management from newborn babies right to the later stages of life. At Smart Talk Speech Pathology, we focus on children from the age of one to 18 years. We work in the areas of language, speech, literacy, social communication and interactions, stuttering, mealtime management, orofacial myology and thumb sucking.
Language
A child’s ability to understand what others say and use words and sentences to share their own ideas, needs and stories.
Speech
A child’s ability to produce clear sounds, including articulation, phonology and motor planning skills such as those affected in Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Literacy
A child’s developing skills in reading, writing, spelling and understanding how sounds and letters work together.
Social Communication
A child’s ability to communicate socially with others, join play, hold conversations, understand social cues and build friendships.
Orofacial Myology
A child’s oral habits and muscle patterns such as tongue thrust, thumb or dummy sucking, mouth breathing and tongue resting posture that influence speech, swallowing and facial development.
Stuttering
A speech condition where a child experiences disruptions in the flow or rhythm of talking, such as repeating sounds or getting stuck on words.
Swallowing and Mealtime Management
A child’s ability to chew, swallow safely and take part in mealtimes in a comfortable and coordinated way.
Thumb Sucking Program
A gentle, structured approach that helps children stop thumb or finger sucking to support healthy facial growth and tooth development.