Are you familiar with NDIS speech pathology and how this can help improve the lives of people with disabilities? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia helps people with a disability, particularly in improving their communication, speech, language, swallowing, and social interaction skills.
How NDIS Speech Pathology Works
Speech pathology funded by NDIS can help people with disabilities with speech clarity and pronunciation. They also offer language development so they can understand and use words properly. Part of this programme is to assist people with social communication, especially those with autism. This also includes assistance with swallowing or feeding difficulties. But this will depend on the needs of the participant and the goals of the NDIS. The assessment will also be according to the age, condition, and developmental level of the person.
A person with a disability will be assessed by a speech pathologist. This will work on a therapy plan intended for the participant’s NDIS goals. They also have variable sessions that cater to different needs, such as in-person, telehealth, at home, or in schools. This programme is available to eligible NDIS participants, both adults and children, depending on their individual needs and goals.
Assessment Procedure Intended for Participants
1. Initial Consultation
There will be an initial consultation done by chatting with the participant, as well as the family or carers, in order to understand the challenges, history, and daily communication needs. The goals of the NDIS plan will also be reviewed and discussed during this consultation.
2. Observation and Interaction
The NDIS speech pathologist will watch how the person is able to communicate in different settings. This will be while they are playing, talking, or reading. Play-based assessments will be done for children as part of the observation.
3. Formal Testing
There are standardised tools that may be used to measure speech clarity, vocabulary and sentence use, understanding of instructions, social communication skills, and swallowing if necessary.
The outcome of this assessment will help in the therapy sessions, support funding decisions, and track progress over time.
NDIS Speech Pathology vs. Private Practice
The same clinical services are provided by NDIS speech pathology and private speech pathology. The difference lies mostly in funding, access, and goal setting. For instance, the one funded by the NDIS is available for eligible participants with disabilities. The progress will be formally reported for NDIS reviews, which are focused on long-term capacity building.
On the other hand, privately funded speech pathology may be covered by you or partially covered by Medicare/private health. This is open to anyone, regardless of diagnosis or disability, to participate. This plan is often used for short-term or specific goals, such as stuttering or accent reduction. They also offer more flexible appointments but come fully out-of-pocket if not subsidised.
Ability Action Australia is a registered provider that will help address your condition through a dedicated NDIS speech pathologist. Get in touch with us if you want to talk to us or find a clinic or service area near you.
