Speak Listen Learn is a paediatric speech pathology clinic in Frenchs Forest, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We are located in Rodborough Road, near the Virgin Active Gym. You can find our full address details on the contact us page.

Waiting times vary depending on what type of appointment you require and how flexible with days and times you are. One-off assessments such as hearing tests can often be offered within 1-2 weeks. It is best to contact us regarding waiting times for autism assessments, speech and language assessments and ongoing therapy. Out-of-school hours appointments are in high demand, and the waiting list can be long.

The length required for assessments varies depending on what is being assessed and your child’s needs. They generally range from 1-2.5 hours. Hearing tests are approximately 45 minutes. Autism assessments (including ADOS-2) are conducted over several sessions, including a parent interview.

Speech Pathology therapy sessions (including speech, language, literacy and early intervention) are generally 45-60 minutes, including time for notes.

Fees are based on the type and length of appointment. Reports are charged separately if required. We do not charge different fees to NDIS vs private clients.

Please contact us for information on our current fees.

Medicare:

• Medicare rebates are available for hearing tests if a GP or Paediatrician referral is provided.
• Medicare rebates for up to 5 allied health sessions per year (including speech pathology) under a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) are available for some children. Contact us for more information or discuss this with your GP.
• Children being assessed for, or who have been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another complex neurological disorder or eligible disability, and who have been referred by a paediatrician, may be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Private Health Insurance:

Rebates may be available depending on your level of extras cover. Please check with your insurer.

NDIS:

We see self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants and can support families in applying for the NDIS, and the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) program as appropriate.

You do not need a referral to be seen, but if you want to claim a Medicare rebate, a relevant referral will be required prior to your appointment.

Sessions are generally scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your child’s needs. We offer intensive blocks of therapy for children and caregivers suited to this model of intervention.

This depends on your child’s needs and the purpose of the therapy sessions. All early intervention sessions require a caregiver to be present and participate in sessions. Whether you need to be in the room for speech, language and literacy sessions depends on how your child works best. Some children want a parent present, others work much better when Mum or Dad are out of the room! All sessions have a handover period at the end and you will need to be present for this.

Very few children walk confidently into a new environment with a stranger! We expect to need time to build a relationship and establish trust so your child feels safe, engaged and comfortable.

Each child is unique, and we use a range of approaches to engage children and ensure therapy is a positive experience. If you have particular concerns, it is ideal to talk to us ahead of time so we can plan together to achieve the best outcome.