Speech Pathology Explained — More Than Just 'Speech'

When people hear the words “speech therapy,” they often picture help with talking or pronunciation. But speech pathologists do much more than that! At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our speech pathologists work with children and adults across many areas of communication, language, and feeding.

What is a Speech Pathologist?

Speech pathologists (also known as speech-language pathologists or SLPs) support clients with communication and swallowing difficulties. This can include challenges with speaking clearly, understanding others, expressing ideas, reading and writing, social skills, and more.

Common Areas Speech Pathologists Support

Here are some of the most common areas our speech pathologists help with:

Speech sound development – helping children pronounce words more clearly
Language delays and disorders – including understanding instructions, building vocabulary, or forming sentences
Literacy – supporting reading comprehension, phonics, and writing skills
Fluency and stuttering – helping children speak more smoothly and confidently
Social communication – teaching how to start conversations, read social cues, and build friendships
Feeding and swallowing – working on safe swallowing and expanding food variety

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Speech Therapy

Your child may benefit from a speech pathology assessment if they:

Are difficult to understand for their age
Use fewer words or sentences than peers
Have trouble following directions or answering questions
Struggle to play or talk with other children
Avoid certain foods or cough during meals

How Our Speech Pathologists Help

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our speech pathologists offer fun, engaging, and family-centred therapy sessions. Each plan is tailored to the individual's goals and can include:

Play-based and structured learning activities
Parent coaching and home strategies
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) where needed
Support for schools and kindergartens

Whether your child needs help saying sounds correctly, understanding classroom instructions, or building social skills, our team is here to help.

Let’s Talk About Communication!

We provide speech pathology services at our Shoalhaven Allied Health clinic, in schools, and in-home settings. Our team is here to support you at every stage. Get in touch with us today to make a referral (Make a Referral) or learn more.