Looking for ways to access children’s speech therapy in Townsville? We can help! Here at SpeechEase Speech Therapy, we have private practice clinics in Townsville and Mackay – as well as a long history of supporting families in their speech therapy journey.
Today though, we want to help you get started with accessing speech therapy in Townsville. If this is your first time seeking speech therapy support, this article will guide you through the different ways you can get the help you need.
3 Ways to Access Children’s Speech Therapy in Townsville
Your Local General Practitioner (GP)
If you have a little one, the first place that you are likely to take them to get more information on their speech, language, or feeding needs is going to be their GP. GP’s can give you an initial insight into whether your little one is reaching their milestones and if they need to be seen by a Speech Pathologist.
If you haven’t already made a booking with your local GP, it can be a good place to start. They can help you to get an EPC (enhanced primary care plan) to get 5 Medicare rebate appointments at speech pathology. Your GP will also be able to give you a list of speech therapy clinics to help you on your journey.
Kirwan Health Services / Child Youth and Family Health Service
If you are a Townsville local, you might already be familiar with the Kirwan Health Service – otherwise known as the Child Youth and Family Health Service. This wonderful, supportive public health community is a great place to go if you are unsure if your child needs to access speech therapy services. You can get a referral to the Child Youth and Family Health Service by a child health nurse or by your child’s school. Otherwise, as a parent or carer living in Townsville, you can reach out directly if you have concerns about your child’s development.
Private Practice
After you have been recommended speech therapy services, the next place you’ll likely go to is a local private practice. In a private practice setting, you’ll be seen by a treating Speech Pathologist who will guide your family through the assessment and ongoing therapy process if required. You can learn more about what to expect in your first appointment here.
SpeechEase Speech Therapy offers speech pathology services in Townsville, in the suburb of Pimlico. Our clinic does have a waitlist of around ~12 months at the time of writing this article (January 2023) however it’s always worth jumping on our list as we will let you know when assessment-only appointments become available so that you can get seen sooner.
We hope you found this article helpful. We wish you all the best as you set out on your journey to accessing children’s speech therapy in Townsville!
