FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is Communication Links Speech Language & Literary Services based?
We have rooms in Concord, Sydney. Most of our time, however, is spent outside of the clinic working with children and teachers in primary and secondary schools in Sydney’s Inner Western, Western and Northern suburbs. We are happy to arrange short-term visits to schools outside of Sydney for assessment and programming clinics, consultation, and professional learning activities.

Should my child or adolescent see a speech-language pathologist?
Consider contacting a speech-language pathologist if you or other people close to your child or adolescent have any concerns about his or her spoken or written communication. Such concerns might include: speech that sounds young for age, grammar (syntax) that seems immature, or difficulty understanding and/or using language. Speaking and listening skills underpin reading and writing skills. For this reason, poor academic progress may be a symptom of an underlying language disorder, even in adolescents. Language-learning difficulties can also be associated with challenging behaviour, attention problems and poor social skills.

Reminder: It is always preferable that your child or adolescent has his or her hearing tested by an audiologist prior to being assessed by a speech-language pathologist.

How can I refer my child or adolescent to Communication Links?
Parents and guardians can refer their child or adolescent directly to Communication Links Speech, Language & Learning Services. We also accept referrals from other sources including:

• medical practitioners and medical specialists
  (including paediatricians, psychiatrists, ENT specialists
• educational and clinical psychologists
• audiologists
• dentists and orthodontists
• special needs teachers
• inclusive education consultants
• early childhood teachers
• social workers
• other speech-language pathologists