Question 1

Is NDIS funding accepted for services?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants can access our services. Starting from 1 January 2026, in-person direct therapy services will be available to privately funded and Self-Managed NDIS clients only. Plan-Managed NDIS participants can access Telehealth sessions.

Question 2

What other funding arrangements can be used to access services?

Accepted Answer

Services can be funded privately and via Medicare rebates if you or your child are eligible for the General Practitioner Management Plan (GPMP).

Question 3

What ages does Free to Be Me Speech Therapy support for speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

I support children of all ages, and young adults, up to around age 50.

Question 4

Where in Melbourne is in-person therapy delivered?

Accepted Answer

In-person services is offered to those living in the inner Melbourne suburbs listed below. Therapy can take place at home or a community setting and can be organised with schools and childcares.

Mobile services are provided to the following suburbs:

3039, Moonee Ponds
3056, Brunswick
3055, Brunswick West
3052, Parkville
3031, Flemington
3031, Kensington
3040, Aberfeldie
3040, Essendon
3044, Pascoe Vale
3044, Pascoe Vale South
3054, Carlton North
3054, Princes Hill
3057, Brunswick East
3058, Coburg
3058, Coburg North
3032, Ascot Vale
3032, Maribyrnong
3032, Travancore
3041, Essendon North
3041, Strathmore
3041, Strathmore Heights
3051, North Melbourne
3053, Carlton
3068, Clifton Hill
3068, Fitzroy North
3003, West Melbourne
3008, Docklands
3011, Footscray
3011, Seddon
3041, Essendon Fields
3065, Fitzroy
3070, Northcote
3071, Thornbury
3000, Melbourne
3006, South Wharf
3006, Southbank
3046, Glenroy
3046, Hadfield
3046, Oak Park
3060, Fawkner
3066, Collingwood
3067, Abbotsford
3072, Preston
3002, East Melbourne
3013, Yarraville
3015, Spotswood
3015, South Kingsville
3033, Keilor East
3034, Avondale Heights
3042, Airport West
3042, Keilor Park
3042, Niddrie
3073, Reservoir
3078, Alphington
3078, Fairfield
3205, South Melbourne
3207, Garden City
3207, Port Melbourne
3012, Kingsville
3012, Maidstone
3012, Tottenham
3012, West Footscray
3019, Braybrook
3121, Burnley
3121, Cremorne
3121, Richmond
3020, Albion
3020, Sunshine
3020, Sunshine North
3020, Sunshine West
3043, Gladstone Park
3043, Gowanbrae
3043, Tullamarine
3047, Broadmeadows
3047, Dallas
3047, Jacana
3079, Ivanhoe
3079, Ivanhoe East
3081, Bellfield
3081, Heidelberg Heights
3081, Heidelberg West
3101, Kew
3141, South Yarra
3206, Albert Park
3206, Middle Park

Question 5

What is the difference between speech and language?

Accepted Answer

In speech therapy, "speech" refers to the physical ability to produce sounds and articulate words clearly, while "language" involves the cognitive process of understanding and using words and sentences to communicate ideas. Speech focuses on the formation of speech sounds, whereas language encompasses vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to construct meaningful sentences.

Question 6

What types of AAC are supported at Free to Be Me Speech Therapy?

Accepted Answer

There are various types of AAC that are typically selected to support an individual's communication through trials based on feature matching. Many times, individuals that use AAC are multi-modal communicators and use several types of AAC. There is no hierarchy or prerequisites for AAC! This means that an individual using AAC does not need to progress from no/light-tech to high-tech and there is no minimal age requirement to start using AAC.

No/Light-tech AAC
Paper-based and does not require electronic equipment or technology. Light-tech AAC includes paper and pen, Key Word Sign, alphabet boards, communication boards, core word boards, aided language displays/boards, PODD communication book.

Mid-tech AAC
Typically battery powered or rechargeable devices such as switch buttons in which you can record messages that can be used for voice output to communication.

High-tech AAC 
Communication apps and dedicated devices that include software such as TD Snap, LAMP WFL, CoughDrop, Cboard, Weave Chat, Proloquo Word Power, Avaz and text to speech apps.

Question 7

Who can use AAC and why might they use it?

Accepted Answer

AAC can be used by individuals of all ages who have difficulty with speech or language, including those with conditions like Autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, speech sound disorders or selective mutism, including during periods of dysregulation. It is used to enhance (i.e. augmentative) or replace (i.e. alternative) spoken communication, allowing people to express their needs, thoughts, ideas and emotions more effectively, improving their ability to interact with others and participate fully in daily activities.

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