Yes! Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants have the choice and control to access services with Free to Be Me Speech Therapy.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.