Speech therapy for children, teens and adults in Adelaide
Evidence-based support for speech, language and communication, with creativity and music used where helpful to encourage engagement, confidence and meaningful progress.
Who Is Speech Therapy For?
Speech therapy can support people of all ages who experience speech, language or communication difficulties.
Families often seek the support of a speech pathologist when someone:
Is difficult to understand
Has a limited vocabulary for their age
Has difficulty following instructions
Finds social communication challenging
Speech therapy may also support adolescents and adults following injury or neurological changes, including stroke or acquired brain injury.
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy supports people of all ages to develop skills in speech, language and communication.
Speech therapists, also known as speech pathologists, complete university-level training in speech, language and communication. Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for the profession, and Certified Practising Speech Pathologists maintain ongoing professional standards.
Certified Practising Speech Pathologists maintain ongoing professional standards.
Who could find speech therapy beneficial?
Speech therapists work with people of all ages who may seek support due to factors such as:
developmental delays
autism
stroke
brain injuries
learning disabilities
intellectual disabilities
cerebral palsy
dementia
hearing loss
What can speech therapy support with?
Speech therapy can support people across a range of communication needs. Support is tailored to the person’s goals and how they communicate in everyday life.
Speech clarity and sound development
Support may focus on developing speech sounds and helping spoken words become easier for other people to understand.
Expressing ideas, needs and opinions
Support can help a person use words, sentences and other communication methods to share their ideas, needs and opinions.
Understanding language and instructions
Support may build understanding of spoken language, including questions, directions and information used in everyday situations.
Social communication and connection
Support can focus on participating in conversations, understanding social communication and connecting with other people.
Communication after stroke or brain injury
Speech therapy can support people experiencing changes to their communication after a stroke or brain injury.
AAC and communication supports
AAC support may include exploring and using communication systems that help a person express themselves and participate in everyday interactions.
When should someone see a speech pathologist?
Seeing a speech pathologist may be helpful when parents, educators, caregivers or individuals notice:
Speech that is difficult for others to understand
Delays in speech or language development
Difficulty understanding language or following instructions
Challenges with social communication or peer engagement
Frustration or behavioural changes related to communication
Early support can make a meaningful difference to communication, confidence and participation in daily life.
What does a speech therapy session look like?
At Creative Therapy Adelaide, our speech therapists work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, incorporating play, creativity, movement and music into therapy where appropriate.
Play and Movement
- Playing structured games
- Pretend play and role-play
- Following instructions through play and movement
Stories and Creativity
- Reading and acting out stories
- Arts, crafts and creative activities
Communication Tools
- Using communication tools or visual supports
Music Activities
- Singing, movement and action songs
Our approach to speech therapy
At Creative Therapy Adelaide, our speech therapists use a research-informed Music Integration Approach (MIA) to support regulation, engagement and participation within speech therapy sessions.
The Music Integration Approach is designed to help individuals reach a regulated state where they are able to fully engage in learning and therapy. Regulation is foundational for communication development. When a person is calm, alert and emotionally supported, they are better able to attend, process language, practise speech skills and participate meaningfully in therapy.
Within speech therapy sessions, music is used intentionally as a tool to support emotional and sensory regulation, attention and motivation. Musical elements such as rhythm, tempo and structure are carefully selected and combined with evidence-based speech pathology strategies to support participation and promote positive outcomes. Music is not the therapy itself in these sessions. Instead, it supports the therapeutic environment when working towards specific speech therapy goals.
The Music Integration Approach is grounded in an understanding of how music influences the nervous system, attention and engagement.
This approach supports communication development not only within sessions, but also across everyday environments such as home, school and the community, helping skills generalise beyond the therapy setting.
How do I get started?
Fill in our contact form below to get started.
Start an enquiry
Share your details and what you are looking for.
We review your request
Our team reviews the information and considers the right starting point.
Plan the right starting point
We discuss the program format, funding and delivery option that suit your needs. We may also start with a speech therapy evaluation
Ready to get started straight away? Complete our Intake Form instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy
It is completely normal to have questions before getting started. Here are some of the things people often ask us about speech therapy.
Is speech therapy covered by Medicare?
Medicare rebates for speech therapy in Australia are limited and generally apply only under specific care plans. Please talk to your GP to learn more about accessing speech therapy through Medicare
Is speech therapy covered by the NDIS?
Yes. Speech therapy may be funded through the NDIS for eligible participants under capacity-building supports. Creative Therapy Adelaide supports NDIS participants across Adelaide and works with families, support coordinators and plan managers.
Can speech therapy be delivered at schools or preschools using NDIS funding?
If you are considering therapy at your child’s school or preschool, our guide to NDIS therapy at school and preschool in Adelaide explains school approval, funding, scheduling, communication and how to get started.
What are the signs that someone may need speech therapy?
Signs may include difficulty being understood, limited vocabulary, challenges following instructions, frustration around communication, social communication difficulties, or changes in speech following illness or injury.
How much does speech therapy cost?
The cost of speech therapy varies depending on session length, funding arrangements and individual needs. We are happy to discuss fees and funding options during your initial enquiry.
Is speech therapy free?
Some speech therapy services may be subsidised or funded through programs such as the NDIS for eligible participants. Free services are limited and availability varies.
What funding can I use for speech therapy?
We can work with a variety of funding arrangements, including NDIS, Medicare, private payment, not-for-profit organisations, government organisations and other organisations.
If you are considering therapy at your child’s school or preschool, our guide to NDIS therapy at school and preschool in Adelaide explains school approval, funding, scheduling, communication and how to get started.
Do I need a referral and how do I get started?
No, you do not need a referral to contact us or begin the enquiry process. You can simply contact our team and we will help guide you through the next steps.
What happens before I begin a block of speech therapy sessions?
Before beginning a block of speech therapy sessions, we will usually complete an assessment or evaluation. This is the first step in accessing services and helps the speech pathologist understand the person’s strengths, needs and goals before planning ongoing support.
Can a parent, family member or support person participate?
Yes. A parent, family member or support person can participate where appropriate. We aim to build the capacity of the person’s support network so useful strategies and skills can continue outside therapy sessions.
Ready to explore further?
Tell us a little about support you're seeking.
Our team will review your enquiry and contact you to discuss suitable options and what the next step could look like.
You do not need to know exactly which therapist, location or funding pathway is right before contacting us.
Sending an enquiry does not commit you to access services.
Please avoid including sensitive health information in this initial message.
You can also contact our administration team during business hours.