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Xavier has been supporting children and young people who live with disability in Brisbane since 1949. We provide a variety of different services to help children and young people and their families, one of which is Speech Therapy in the Ipswich area. From here Xavier’s highly qualified and university-trained Speech Pathologists can support the development of your child’s communication skills, helping them to communicate verbally and non-verbally, listen, make friends, strengthen relationships, and ultimately live a happier life.
What is Speech Therapy and how can it help?
Xavier’s dedicated team of Speech Pathologists recognise the importance of every form of communication in all walks of life, be it verbal or non-verbal. They provide assessments, advice, support, and therapy to help children living with disability improve their ability to be heard and understood, listen, read, and write.
Speech Therapy can be conducted at one of our many clinic locations, or from the comfort of your child’s home with a home visit. By working with one of Xavier’s Speech Pathologists, your child will improve their skills in:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
It is often overlooked that there is more to communication than just speaking and listening. Children living with speech disability can sometimes be non-verbal. Xavier’s Speech Pathologists understand and are able to provide support through AAC.
AAC can be either aided or unaided. Aided AAC involves the assistance of modern technology like iPads, to simpler tools like objects or images. Unaided AAC utilises aspects of non-verbal communication we often use without thinking about, such as eye contact, facial expressions, body language and movement, or hand gestures and sign language. Each technique has its own benefits, including:
Using a formal, existing language can help your child communicate with more people. However, creating an informal series of unique gestures understood only between parent, child, and their care team can be easier while helping foster existing relationships.
Utilising charts, communication boards, picture albums, or objects with a mutually understood meaning can make communicating with your child as simple as pointing.
Tools which play a simple, recorded verbal message when used. They carry the additional benefit of helping your child understand the use of modern technologies.
Communicating using the written word or alphabet boards also helps your child with their literacy skills.
Focusing on the use of hand or body gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal skills can help your child understand the coded and emotional meanings behind what is said to them.
Getting Financial Assistance for Speech Therapy
Xavier’s Speech Therapy can be funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), so long as it is considered reasonable or necessary for supporting your child’s disability. Alongside our sister organisation InFocus, Xavier can assist children living with disabilities and their families access or change funding for your child’s Speech Therapy.
Where to find us
In addition to Ipswich, Xavier has several locations across Brisbane where you can receive Speech Therapy support, including:
Further Information
The Xavier team is always happy with to assist you access speech therapy for your child or answer any questions you may have. Simply call 1800 XAVIER, use our online Speech Therapy form or email intake@xavier.org.au for further information.