How Does NDIS Funding Work for Speech Therapy? A Parent’s Guide

If your child has an NDIS plan, you may be wondering whether their funding can be used for Speech Pathology and what the process looks like when starting therapy.

Speech Pathologists can support children and young people with a range of communication needs, including speech, language, literacy, fluency, social communication and the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Whether Speech Pathology can be funded through a particular NDIS plan depends on the participant's individual circumstances, goals, approved supports and available funding.

This guide explains some of the key things families may want to understand when considering NDIS-funded Speech Pathology.

Can NDIS Funding Be Used for Speech Therapy?

NDIS funding may be used for Speech Pathology when the support relates to the participant's disability-related needs and is consistent with the supports funded within their NDIS plan.

Because every participant's plan and circumstances are different, families should check their current NDIS plan or speak with their plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA if they are uncertain about how their funding can be used.

At Grow & Tell, we work with self-managed and plan-managed participants accessing NDIS Speech Therapy for children and young people.

What Can NDIS Speech Therapy Support?

Speech Pathology isn't limited to helping children pronounce speech sounds.

Depending on the child's individual needs and goals, a Speech Pathologist may provide support in areas such as speech sound development, receptive and expressive language, literacy and phonological awareness, fluency and stuttering, social communication, and functional communication.

Some children may also use AAC to support their communication. Families can learn more about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the different ways it can support communication.

The areas addressed in therapy should be based on the individual child's needs rather than using the same therapy program for every participant.

How Do NDIS Goals Relate to Speech Therapy?

NDIS goals generally describe broader outcomes that are important to the participant rather than prescribing individual therapy activities.

For a child, a broader goal might relate to communicating more effectively, participating at school, developing independence or engaging with other people.

A Speech Pathologist can consider these broader goals alongside the child's communication needs and work with the family to develop relevant therapy goals.

For example, therapy might focus on helping a child understand instructions, communicate their needs, participate in conversations or develop clearer speech.

The important part is that therapy remains relevant to the child's individual communication needs and functional participation.

Do We Need a Speech Pathology Assessment First?

It depends on the child.

Some families may already have recent assessments, reports or information from a previous Speech Pathologist. In other situations, further assessment may be helpful before regular therapy begins.

A Speech Pathology assessment can help identify a child's communication strengths and areas requiring support and provide information that can be used when developing therapy goals.

Grow & Tell offers a range of Speech Pathology assessments covering different areas of children's communication and development.

Your Speech Pathologist can discuss whether an assessment is recommended based on the information already available and the reason your child has been referred.

What Is the Difference Between Self-Managed and Plan-Managed NDIS Funding?

How families access and pay for services can differ depending on how the relevant funding in the participant's NDIS plan is managed.

With self-managed funding, the participant or their nominee manages payments for NDIS supports themselves.

With plan-managed funding, a registered plan manager generally manages provider invoices and payments on behalf of the participant.

Grow & Tell works with both self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.

If you're unsure how your child's funding is managed, you can check their NDIS plan or speak with their plan manager or support coordinator.

Does Grow & Tell Work With NDIA-Managed Participants?

Grow & Tell currently provides NDIS Speech Pathology to self-managed and plan-managed participants.

If your child's relevant funding is NDIA-managed, it is important to check whether the provider you intend to use is able to deliver services under that funding arrangement.

This is worth confirming before booking therapy so you understand how the service will be funded.

Can Speech Therapy Take Place at School or Home?

Depending on the child's goals, location and availability, Speech Pathology doesn't always have to take place in a clinic.

Some children may benefit from receiving therapy in an environment where they regularly communicate, such as their home, school or early learning setting.

For example, working within a school environment may provide opportunities to address communication strategies relevant to classroom participation.

Grow & Tell offers mobile Speech Therapy across selected areas of Sydney, as well as clinic-based appointments.

Whether clinic or mobile therapy is more appropriate will depend on your child's needs, therapy goals and practical circumstances.

Can Speech Therapy Be Provided by Telehealth?

Speech Pathology can also be delivered via Telehealth where it is clinically appropriate for the child and the type of support being provided.

Telehealth can be particularly useful for some families who live further from a clinic, have difficulty attending in person or prefer the convenience of receiving support at home.

It can also be useful for parent coaching and collaboration.

Not every assessment or therapy approach is suitable for Telehealth, so your Speech Pathologist can discuss whether it is appropriate for your child.

What About Reports and NDIS Reviews?

There may be times when families require clinical documentation relating to their child's Speech Pathology support.

Depending on what is required, a Speech Pathologist may provide information about the child's communication needs, current therapy goals, progress and recommendations.

Families should discuss report requirements with their Speech Pathologist ahead of time, particularly when preparing for an NDIS plan reassessment or other review process.

Providing sufficient notice is helpful because comprehensive clinical reports require time to prepare.

Can Speech Pathologists Work With Other Professionals?

Yes. Children receiving NDIS supports may work with several professionals.

Depending on the child's needs, this could include Occupational Therapists, psychologists, educators, support coordinators or other health and developmental professionals.

With appropriate consent, collaboration can help the people supporting the child understand their communication needs and use consistent strategies across different environments.

Grow & Tell also provides paediatric Occupational Therapy alongside Speech Pathology, which can make collaboration between disciplines easier for children receiving both services.

How Do We Choose an NDIS Speech Pathologist?

Finding the right Speech Pathologist isn't simply about finding someone who accepts NDIS funding.

Parents may want to consider the clinician's experience working with children, the areas of communication they support, how therapy goals are developed and how families are involved in the process.

It is also worth considering practical factors such as location, appointment availability and whether clinic, mobile or Telehealth services are available.

The relationship between the child, family and Speech Pathologist is important, particularly when therapy is likely to continue over time.

Starting NDIS Speech Therapy With Grow & Tell

Grow & Tell provides paediatric NDIS Speech Pathology in Sydney for self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Appointments are available at our Rhodes clinic and St Leonards/Crows Nest clinic, with mobile Speech Pathology also available across selected areas of Sydney.

Before regular therapy begins, we take time to understand your child's communication needs, current supports, relevant reports and the goals that are important to your family.

If you'd like to discuss Speech Pathology for your child, contact Grow & Tell and our team can talk you through current appointment options.

Important Information About NDIS Funding

NDIS plans and funding arrangements are individual and can change. Information in this article is general in nature and shouldn't be taken as confirmation that a particular therapy, assessment or service will be funded under an individual participant's NDIS plan.

Families should refer to their current NDIS plan and seek clarification from their plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA where required.