Yes! Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants have the choice and control to access services with Free to Be Me Speech Therapy.

Services can be funded privately and via Medicare rebates if you or your child are eligible for the General Practitioner Management Plan (GPMP).

I support children of all ages, and young adults, up to around age 50.

In-person services is offered to those living in the inner Melbourne suburbs listed below. Therapy can take place at home or a community setting and can be organised with schools and childcares. Mobile services are provided to the following suburbs: 3039, Moonee Ponds 3056, Brunswick 3055, Brunswick West 3052, Parkville 3031, Flemington 3031, Kensington 3040, Aberfeldie 3040, Essendon 3044, Pascoe Vale 3044, Pascoe Vale South 3054, Carlton North 3054, Princes Hill 3057, Brunswick East 3057, Sumner 3058, Coburg 3058, Coburg North 3058, Merlynston 3032, Ascot Vale 3032, Maribyrnong 3032, Travancore 3041, Essendon North 3041, Strathmore 3041, Strathmore Heights 3051, Hotham Hill 3051, North Melbourne 3053, Carlton 3068, Clifton Hill 3068, Fitzroy North 3003, West Melbourne 3008, Docklands 3011, Footscray 3011, Seddon 3041, Essendon Fields 3065, Fitzroy 3070, Northcote 3071, Thornbury 3000, Melbourne 3006, South Wharf 3006, Southbank 3046, Glenroy 3046, Hadfield 3046, Oak Park 3060, Fawkner 3066, Collingwood 3067, Abbotsford 3072, Gilberton 3072, Preston 3072, Regent West 3072, Sylvester 3002, East Melbourne 3013, Yarraville 3033, Keilor East 3034, Avondale Heights 3042, Airport West 3042, Keilor Park 3042, Niddrie 3073, Keon Park 3073, Reservoir 3078, Alphington 3078, Fairfield 3205, South Melbourne 3207, Garden City 3207, Port Melbourne 3012, Brooklyn 3012, Kingsville 3012, Kingsville West 3012, Maidstone 3012, Tottenham 3012, West Footscray 3019, Braybrook 3019, Braybrook North 3019, Robinson 3121, Burnley 3121, Cremorne 3121, Richmond 3004, Melbourne 3015, Newport 3015, South Kingsville 3015, Spotswood 3020, Albion 3020, Glengala 3020, Sunshine 3020, Sunshine North 3020, Sunshine West 3043, Gladstone Park 3043, Gowanbrae 3043, Tullamarine 3047, Broadmeadows 3047, Dallas 3047, Jacana 3079, Ivanhoe 3079, Ivanhoe East 3079, Ivanhoe North 3081, Bellfield 3081, Heidelberg Heights 3081, Heidelberg Rgh 3081, Heidelberg West 3101, Cotham 3101, Kew 3141, South Yarra 3206, Albert Park 3206, Middle Park 8008, St Kilda Road Central

In speech therapy, "speech" refers to the physical ability to produce sounds and articulate words clearly, while "language" involves the cognitive process of understanding and using words and sentences to communicate ideas. Speech focuses on the formation of speech sounds, whereas language encompasses vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to construct meaningful sentences.

There are various types of AAC that are typically selected to support an individual's communication through trials based on feature matching. Many times, individuals that use AAC are multi-modal communicators and use several types of AAC. There is no hierarchy or prerequisites for AAC! This means that an individual using AAC does not need to progress from no/light-tech to high-tech and there is no minimal age requirement to start using AAC. No/Light-tech AAC Paper-based and does not require electronic equipment or technology. Light-tech AAC includes paper and pen, Key Word Sign, alphabet boards, communication boards, core word boards, aided language displays/boards, PODD communication book. Mid-tech AAC Typically battery powered or rechargeable devices such as switch buttons in which you can record messages that can be used for voice output to communication. High-tech AAC Communication apps and dedicated devices that include software such as TD Snap, LAMP WFL, CoughDrop, Cboard, Weave Chat, Proloquo Word Power, Avaz and text to speech apps.

AAC can be used by individuals of all ages who have difficulty with speech or language, including those with conditions like Autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, speech sound disorders or selective mutism, including during periods of dysregulation. It is used to enhance (i.e. augmentative) or replace (i.e. alternative) spoken communication, allowing people to express their needs, thoughts, ideas and emotions more effectively, improving their ability to interact with others and participate fully in daily activities.