Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a speech pathologist do?
A speech pathologist helps people with their communication or swallowing. Find out more here
We work mostly with people with speech problems and difficulties with spelling, reading or forming sentences, saying words and comprehending. We also work with people who stutter or have trouble using their voice or have learning difficulties, autism or genetic conditions.
We provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management.
What is an allied health assistant (AHA)?
An AHA helps people achieve their functional goals in plans set by and supervised by our speech pathologists. They can help deliver therapy, strategies and supports in functional environments and increase practice opportunities.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes, due to high demand we currently have a waiting list. It is hard to give an accurate wait time as it is always changing and is dependant on our current client's needs. We are seeking more team members and therapists to reduce this.
We offer assessments to check what is happening for you/ your child and then can give some management ideas and work with another speech pathologist to help you when you're waiting or if you live a long way from Panania.
While you are waiting, please see some tips on getting started from Western Sydney Local Health District Speech Pathology
Do you have occupational therapy (OT) services?
At the moment we don't. The "movement" in our name "Remarkable Speech and Movement" refers to helping people move their mouths to achieve clear speech!
But if you are an occupational therapist who knows about motor planning and developmental coordination disorder, please see our Join Our Team Page.
Is there any funding available?
Yes you can claim back some or all of the fees depending on if you have the following:
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Medicare - Chronic Disease Management program from your GP gives a rebate on up to 5 sessions per year. Eligibility is determined by your GP.
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Private health insurance— We are registered with all health funds.
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National Disability Insurance Scheme. This scheme allows individualised disability services and resources funding to eligible people in Australia. As of January 2021, we can only accept self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. We help people with childhood apraxia of speech and other complex, lifelong communication problems to access NDIS with reports and complete NDIS therapy and review assessments. NDIA or a Local Area Coordinator determine eligibility and complete plans. We assist families by assessing children's strengths and needs, providing evidence of disability (e.g., childhood apraxia of speech, complex communication needs) and quotes for services and yearly review assessments to measure progress and set goals for the next period with you.
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Carer’s Allowance. This supports families with children aged under 16 who has a disability or serious illness or significant support and care needs. We can help you apply for this however eligibility is determined by Centrelink.
Do I need a referral?
No, parents, family members or yourself can refer to our service.
We accept referrals from families, GPs, Paediatricians, School Teachers and Neurologists mainly but anyone can refer.
How do I access services?
How do I know you are appropriately qualified?
We are transparent about our university, higher degree and post-university training. You can find our training certificates in the clinic.
You can also check we are speech pathologists as our names are listed in the Speech Pathology Australia directory after they have checked our credentials. Search here to find us.
Do you offer regular school or home visits?
No. To see and help as many people as we can we do not currently have capacity to provide regular home or school visits. We hope to build our team and capacity to help more people and we will let you know if this changes.
If you are looking for a speech pathologist who can go to your child's / children's school or your home regularly, please search the Speech Pathology Australia directory.
Why are you called "Remarkable Speech and Movement"?
The "Speech and Movement" refers to the work we mainly do. Speech allows people to express their idea using a complex pattern of movements using our lips, tongue, jaw, vocal folds and back of the roof of our mouths. We help people plan and use those movements to achieve clear speech. This makes us different from other speech pathology services in that we have done extra training and provide tailored services to movement-based or motor speech problems.
"Remarkable" came from our clients - we noticed they often said the progress they were seeing was "Remarkable" and it stuck. Then we realised "Remarkable" could also be RemarkABLE or able to remark and that's what we aim to do! It took us a long time but we finally settled on our name and we love it!
Is Liz (Dr Elizabeth Murray) a medical doctor?
No! She is wary of needles! Liz is a doctor of advanced learning in childhood apraxia of speech after finishing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2014. She completed four studies with the aim to improve assessment, diagnosis and mainly treatment for children with childhood apraxia of speech (formerly known as dyspraxia). You can read more about her here.
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We live a long way from your clinic. How can you help us?
We have many clients who live in the Greater Sydney area or interstate or even overseas who we support. We mostly do this vis secure online telehealth services where we complete sessions over a computer or iPad. We also complete initial and review assessments and management plans and work with your local speech pathologist/s and team to support your child's goals.
Please see our how we can help page for more information.
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