Speech is the way we make speech sounds, put sounds together, and hear and think about speech. People who have trouble with their speech may have difficulty with consonants and/or vowels which are hard for others to understand.

Different types of speech difficulties can include: Speech Sound Disorder, Phonological Disorder, Articulation Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech(CAS) or dysarthria.

Receptive language is comprehension or the understanding of what other people say. People who have trouble with receptive language skills may experience difficulty following instructions and understanding questions or words.

Expressive language is the way people use words and sentences to express their thoughts, feeling and ideas. People who have trouble with expressive language skills may experience difficulty asking questions, using words to formulate sentences, naming objects or actions or telling a story.

Some terms used to describe language difficulties include: Language Disorder/Delay, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), language impairment associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other conditions.

Stuttering is where the flow of speech is interrupted. The types of interruptions can be repeating sounds (e.g., m…m…my), repeating words (e.g., when…when…when), prolonging or ‘stretching out’ sounds (e.g., mmmmmum) or getting ‘stuck’ where no sound is coming out. People who stutter may also experience non-verbal behaviours such as body movements, facial grimacing etc.

This is how people use verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate messages such as eye contact, topic maintenance, negotiation and other conversational skills.

Literacy skills includes early literacy skills, reading and writing. Early literacy skills are when a child knows the sounds each letter makes, breaking up words into sounds, rhyming and having print awareness (e.g., knowing about words on a page).

People with speech and/or language difficulties are at a greater risk of developing literacy difficulties. Some terms used to describe people with reading and writing difficulties include phonological awareness difficulties, dyslexia and reading impairment.

This includes but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities.

People with disabilities may experience difficulties with their communication such as language skills and social skills.

We work on empowering people by helping them access early intervention support and also by enhancing their communication, social and community skills. In addition, we link people with external support and services when required such as Occupational Therapy, ABA therapy or other therapy programs.

We are proud to offer a unique tutoring service that integrates speech pathology with educational instruction through a transdisciplinary approach.

This means that our tutoring is not limited to separate functions of speech and language therapy and traditional teaching; instead, we create a collaborative environment where speech pathologists and educators work together seamlessly.

By merging our expertise, we provide a holistic approach to enhancing language and literacy skills, ensuring that each student receives personalised support that addresses their individual needs.

Whether your child is struggling with vocabulary, reading comprehension, or effective communication, our inclusive tutoring services tailor techniques from both disciplines to foster a well-rounded learning experience.

We are proud to provide other Allied Health Services, including AHPRA Registered Practising Physiotherapists who have experience in private practice, various hospitals and community health centres.

We also direct our clients to our network of occupational therapists and psychologists when required.

At Speechmark, we are committed to recognising and challenging ableism in all forms. Our philosophy celebrates neurodiversity and promotes inclusive thinking across everything we do. We aim to create spaces where every individual feels seen, respected, and supported as their authentic self.