Frequently Asked Questions

At Simplify Speech, our speech pathologists support children from birth to 18 years who are experiencing difficulties with communication and feeding. This includes helping with speech clarity, understanding and using language, social communication skills, play development, literacy, and feeding and swallowing. We work closely with families to create individualised therapy plans that support each child’s growth and confidence.

 If you're concerned about your child's communication, feeding, or play skills, it's worth getting in touch. We offer assessments to help identify any areas where your child might benefit from support. Trust your instincts — early support makes a big difference. 

 At Simplify Speech, we provide personalised assessment and therapy for children from birth to 18 years, supporting development in speech sounds, language, social communication, play, literacy, and feeding. We work with children with a range of needs, including developmental delays, Intellectual Impairment, Global Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder, Anxiety and much more. You do not need a diagnosis to see a Speech Pathologist at Simplify Speech—if you have concerns, we're here to help.

In addition to one-on-one therapy, we offer a flexible range of service delivery options to best support families. This includes:

• Mobile sessions (in homes, childcare, or school settings)
• Telehealth appointments for convenient online access
• Parent education and coaching to support progress outside of sessions
• Parent groups and therapy groups that foster learning and connection
• External mentorship for speech pathologists and allied health assistants

Our approach is child-centred, play-based, and family-focused—designed to support every child’s unique communication and feeding journey.

 At Simplify Speech, we aim to make the assessment process as clear, supportive, and family-centred as possible. Our goal is to truly understand your child’s strengths and challenges so we can provide meaningful, individualised support.

Here’s what the process typically involves:

Initial Session - Getting to Know You and Your Child

The first session is all about building a strong foundation. Your Speech Pathologist will:

• Gather a case history and talk with you about your concerns, your child’s development, and daily life
• Go through any parent questionnaires you’ve completed
• Begin to build rapport with your child through play and conversation
• Start observing your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty in a relaxed and supportive setting

Secondary Session - Formal and/or Informal Assessment

In the next session, your child will complete a series of formal and/or informal assessments, tailored to their age and needs. This helps us develop a comprehensive understanding of their communication, literacy, play, or feeding profile.

Family Review & Goal Setting Session- Collaborative Planning

Once assessment is complete, we’ll schedule a parent-only feedback session (via telehealth, phone call, or in person) to:

• Explain the findings in everyday language
• Collaboratively set therapy goals that align with your child’s strengths and your family’s priorities
• Offer recommendations and strategies you can begin using at home right away

Personalised Therapy Plan

Each client who completes the assessment process will receive a personalised therapy plan that summarises:

• Your child’s strengths and challenges
• Agreed-upon therapy goals
• Practical recommendations for support across home, school, and therapy

Optional

• Assessment Report: Your Speech Pathologist can advise whether a written report is recommended for NDIS, school, or other purposes—or you’re welcome to request one at any time.
• Stakeholder Meeting: If helpful, we can organise a meeting with your child’s school, kindergarten, or daycare to share insights from the assessment and discuss possible strategies or accommodations.

We’re here to guide you every step of the way—and make sure you feel confident and supported throughout the process.

 If available, bring any previous assessments, reports, or referrals. You may want to bring toys or items your child is comfortable with, however this is not a necessity.

 At Simplify Speech, we work with children from birth up to 18 years of age, supporting a wide range of communication and feeding needs throughout infancy, early childhood, and adolescence. 

 No referral is needed to see a speech pathologist. However, some private health insurers or Medicare programs may require a referral for rebates. 

 Fees vary based on the type of service provided. Please contact us directly for detailed pricing information. 

 Yes, you may be eligible for a rebate under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, provided by Medicare. You will need a referral from your GP. 

  Many private health insurers provide rebates for speech pathology services. Check with your insurer to understand what’s covered under your plan. 

Yes, at Simplify Speech we can offer speech pathology services under the NDIS, depending on your plan and needs to self-managed and plan-managed participants.  

You can book an appointment by contacting us via phone or email. Alternatively, you can complete our online intake form and then one of our lovely team members will give you a call to discuss your options. 

At Simplify Speech, we ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If less notice is given, we’ll do our best to support you by offering alternatives such as a telehealth session (if appropriate), providing therapy resources, or scheduling a parent phone call. In cases where no notice is given and the session is missed, a cancellation fee may be considered. 

 We provide mobile services across Brisbane. Please contact us to check if we visit your suburb. 

 Absolutely—and that’s the beauty of it!

At Simplify Speech, we use play-based therapy because it’s how children naturally learn, communicate, and explore the world. While it might look like “just play,” every activity is carefully chosen by your Speech Pathologist to target specific goals—whether it’s speech sounds, understanding instructions, building sentences, turn-taking, or trying new foods.

During play, children are:

• More relaxed and engaged
• Able to show us their true communication abilities
• Learning in a meaningful and enjoyable way
• Practising real-life skills in a natural context

We’re always working behind the scenes to guide the session, collect valuable observations, and help your child make progress—without them even realising they’re in therapy!

If you ever have questions about what we’re targeting or how an activity links to your child’s goals, we’re always happy to explain.