Clinic
Adult and Child Language Stimulation Program Therapy
Screening
This is an optional 30 minute formal or informal pre-assessment of a communicative and/or swallowing function. This would occur at a pre-arranged clinic site and is dependent on client factors and needs. The screening will ascertain if a full assessment and intervention is warranted.
Assessment
A clinician’s eyes and ears are the most critical tools used in the assessment of any individual’s speech, language and swallowing function. However, careful and judicious use of standardized tools and protocols can provide valuable information with regards to the presenting communication and/or swallowing needs of a client.
The Speech Station Australia has a range of assessment tools that can be used to provide the information necessary to assist in planning intervention. This would result in a unique intervention plan specifically geared for the client, enabling caregivers and/or significant others if they so wish, to be the clients core language facilitators. A Family Based Treatment Approach is used, as this has been found to be most effective in treatment outcomes throughout the clinician’s own experience.
Intervention
After the assessment, all clients will be provided with an individualized home program and a clinical program should they wish to proceed with individual therapy sessions. These sessions are organized in blocks of 10 by the end of which goals are evaluated and reviewed in a written report. Recommendations and/or changes are then effected in collaboration and discussion with family members.
Using evidenced-based treatment approaches and clinical expertise, Melissa has developed individualized programs and gained much success with her clients. The following programs have been devised to guide intervention:
- Early Skills Training; targeting skills like eye contact, imitation skills and joint attention in socially engaging tasks
- Early Literacy Program; targeting language and expression using print
- Social Language Skills Program Comprising 3 Levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced
- Fluency Skills Program based on the Comprehensive Stuttering Program; Child and Adult Programs
- Phonological Skills Program; based on the Hodson Cycles Approach
- Adult Language Stimulation Program
- Regain Literacy Program for those who have experienced neurological trauma and require specific support in literacy skills