FAQ

Find out more about The Speech Nook | Speech Pathology Launceston

When will you open?

Our first day will be 22nd February, 2024.

At what age can I bring my child to see you?

We see children from 18 months to 12 years.

Where is your clinic?

We are based at The Door of Hope (Thistle Street West entrance, opposite the Launceston Eye Institute)

Do you have a waitlist?

Yes. Add your child’s name here. We also have limited appointments available now! (use the same form to register interest)

Can you see my child at their school?

No, we are a clinic-based service, however we may leave the nook for one-off sessions at daycare or schools depending on a child’s goals.

Do I need a GP referral?

No referral is necessary. However if you are hoping to claim through Medicare you will require a Chronic Disease Management Plan in place from your GP.

What happens at an appointment?

Your first appointment(s) will typically be an assessment. There will always be toys out for your little one to play with when they enter the room (we love a heads up on their favourite characters/activities!). We will go through your case history form, discuss your concerns, then might play or chat with your child before starting an assessment specific to your child’s difficulties. Assessments allow us to compare how your child is doing to other similar aged peers and will give us valuable information about your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Following your assessment, we will go through the results and pick some clear goals to work on (in collaboration with the school learning team when possible). Each therapy session after this, we will work towards these goals.

At The Speech Nook we believe children do their best when they are having fun. So there’ll always be games. Depending on goals, we might do drill-based therapy with flash cards, or target our goals through imaginative play (e.g. playing with the dolls house) or craft. For our young babies, a lot of our therapy will be about equipping you with the tools to help your child progress with their babbling, gestures or start saying their first words. For older students, we’ll tap into what they are interested in at the time.

Best results also come from home practice, so at the end of each session you’ll leave with ideas on how to practise at home.

My child is quieter with unfamiliar people, what if he/she doesn’t talk at the assessment?

This is a common concern with our littlies (and one I’ve faced many times at appointments my own children!)

We want to see your child communicate at their best as much as you do! That’s why we’ll spend the first part of the assessment talking to you while your younger child plays and become settled. Then if time permits we’ll play with them before jumping into the assessment (this actually gives us valuable information about their language too, including non-verbal communication). We have other tricks up our sleeve as well, and if appropriate might start with part of the assessment that just involves listening and pointing or give you a questionnaire to take home. You know your child best, and we’ll always consult with you about what is typical for your child. If you’re concerned, you’re welcome to bring in a video on your phone to show the therapist or send it through after.

My child doesn’t sit still, is this a problem?

Absolutely not! We have some of our most fun sessions when we’re up and moving. Before your first appointment, we’ll ask about your child’s personality and tailor the assessment accordingly. Once we get to know what games and activities your child likes then we’ll plan therapy around these interests to get the most speech practice in. Note that if your child requires a formal assessment, there will be times they need to be seated and attending to the task so that the results are valid. However a formal assessment isn’t always necessary - we can learn a lot through play!

What happens if we can’t make it to our appointment?

We require you to let us know by 12pm the previous day if you need to reschedule. Missed appointments after this time may require 50% of the session fee to be paid, as per our booking and cancellation policy. However, we do understand that life with kids is unpredictable and are always grateful for as much notice as possible.

What should I bring?

Just yourself and your child! If you have any reports from a paediatrician or other therapists (e.g. occupational therapists or physiotherapists) these will be helpful.

Will my health insurance cover the appointment?

Sometimes! There are often rebates available for speech therapy, including telehealth services. Contact your Health Fund to confirm. We will provide you with an itemised invoice for claiming after the session.

How about Medicare?

You may be eligible for Medicare to partially fund up to 5 sessions as part of a Chronic Disease Management Plan. Note that this requires a referral from your GP in the first instance, and will need to be claimed after payment of full invoice for face-to-face sessions. Telehealth sessions are currently bulk-billed.

Clients of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent may also be eligible for an additional 5 sessions.

Do you take NDIS Clients?

The Speech Nook is only able to see self-managed and plan-managed clients at this time.

Can I pay by card?

Yes, we offer eftpos on the day and this is our preferred method of payment (unless plan-managed NDIS).

I am not sure if my child needs a speech therapist…

If you come to The Speech Nook for an initial appointment, there is no obligation to continue on to therapy. If you have any concerns about your child’s communication, an assessment may help for peace of mind. We have an option that comes with a report (see fees) that will contain tailored helpful information and recommendations for you to help your child at home even if we find ongoing therapy is not necessary. Or we may suggest a review at a later date.

You are also welcome to call and we can discuss over the phone if a speech assessment might be beneficial. We also have a network of fantastic occupational therapists and child psychologists in the area and can refer you to these if we think they would be best to address your child’s difficulties.

When are you open?

We currently operate school hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternating Fridays.

Any other questions?

Please contact us via phone on 0499 388 181, email at kate@thespeechnook.com.au or Facebook.