Communication Support
At Oak Speech Pathology, we believe communication is a fundamental human right. Our mission is to empower individuals to develop the communication skills they need to engage in all aspects of their lives fully.
We provide personalised assessments and therapy tailored to meet your unique needs, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with:
- Intellectual disability
- Complex communication needs
- Neurodiverse conditions
- Acquired brain injuries
- Psychosocial disabilities
- Neurodevelopmental diagnoses
Our team is experienced in utilising a variety of communication methods, including:
- Spoken language support
- Key Word Sign (formerly Makaton)
- Low-tech communication aids, such as objects of reference and visual communication systems
- High-tech solutions, including touch, scan-and-switch, and eye-gaze technologies
We are committed to employing neurodiversity-affirming practices and continuously improving how we deliver our support to ensure they are inclusive, respectful, and effective. At Oak Speech Pathology, we’re here to help you communicate, connect, and thrive.
Mealtime. Support / Dysphagia / Swallowing Assessments
Swallowing is a vital part of daily life that often goes unnoticed—until there’s a problem. Much like breathing, swallowing is typically automatic, but for those who struggle with it, everyday activities such as eating and drinking can become stressful, uncomfortable, or even dangerous.
Speech pathologists are uniquely trained to assess, diagnose, and treat swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia (dis-fay-juh). At Oak Speech Pathology, we are committed to reducing the impact of dysphagia, and helping our clients enjoy safe, comfortable, and pleasurable mealtimes.
Our team has undergone specialised training in assessments designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. We are also certified trainers in the Safe and Enjoyable Mealtimes course. This course supports NDIS providers in meeting registration requirements for delivering safe and enjoyable meals, with a focus on:
- Reducing the risk of choking-related deaths
- Enhancing the nutritional benefits of meals for individuals with swallowing disorders
At Oak Speech Pathology, our mission is to empower individuals with swallowing difficulties to participate in mealtimes that are not only safe but also meaningful and enjoyable.
Training
At Oak Speech Pathology, we believe in empowering support networks—family members, carers, and professionals—with the skills and knowledge to confidently meet the needs of the individuals they care for. By providing high-quality training, we enable support networks to address challenges as they arise, without having to wait for the next therapy session.
Our team is trained to deliver the following evidence-based courses:
- Safe and Enjoyable Mealtimes (1 day): Designed to help carers and NDIS providers deliver safe, nutritious, and enjoyable meals while reducing the risks associated with swallowing difficulties.
- Tech Talker (various options): A series of workshops focused on supporting communication using assistive technology, including low-tech and high-tech systems tailored to individual needs.
In addition to these structured programs, we also offer customized training to meet the unique needs of individuals, their families, and their care teams.
By equipping support networks with practical tools and strategies, we ensure they can provide consistent, effective care, improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life every day.