Speech Pathology 
The Speech Pathology service at Doutta Galla Community Health Service is provided for children between the ages of 0-6 years. A speech pathologist may assess and treat a child presenting with difficulties in one or more of the following areas
WHEN TO REFER TO A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
A referral should be made to a Speech Pathologist if your child is having difficulty with the following:
- Understanding what is said to him or her.
- No babbling with a variety of sounds by 12 months of age.
- No use of single words by 18 months of age.
- No two word combinations by 2 1/2 years of age.
- Your child’s speech is difficult for most people to understand at 3 years of age.
- Your child repeats, or prolongs sounds or words in his speech for more than a period of 6-12 months.
- Your child’s speech is nasal or husky.
- Sucking, chewing or swallowing at any age.
- You and your family members are concerned about your child’s speech or language
HOW TO REFER TO A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Referrals can be made by phone call to the Intake worker at Doutta Galla Community Health Service by:
- Parents/carers
- General Practitioners
- Maternal and Child Health nurses
- Kindergarten and pre-school teachers
- Other professionals and Community Service organisations
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS SERVICE?
There is waiting time for this service. Strategies to encourage speech and language development may be provided at your request.
| 
