Speech pathology

Speech pathology aims to help people who can’t communicate effectively. Learn more about speech pathologists, what they do and how they can help.

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Speech development in children

Kids learn to talk and develop at their own rate, but there are some general patterns of speech development for babies and children. Find out more.

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Dysarthria

Dysarthria occurs when the muscles you use to breath and speak are weakened or paralysed, making your speech slurred and hard to understand. Speech therapy can help make your speech clearer.

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Stuttering

Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the flow of speech. Learn about the treatments and programs that can help people who stutter to improve their speech.

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Speech problems

Links to articles about speech problems.

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Apraxia of speech

Apraxia of speech is a speech disorder that makes it difficult to move the mouth to produce sounds and words. Find out how a speech therapist can often help the person’s speech improve.

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Tay-Sachs disease

Babies/children with Tay-Sachs develop slowly, lose vision and speech, and typically don’t reach school age. It’s commoner in certain genetic groups.

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How to make a phone call when you're deaf or can't speak

One in 6 Australians has some hearing loss, while others have a speech impairment. The National Relay Service allows all people to communicate by phone.

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Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a disorder of movement and coordination that can be picked up in childhood. Through the right treatment, you can help manage its symptoms.

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Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) has similar symptoms to a stroke but only lasts a few minutes. If you think you are having a TIA, call 000 for an ambulance.

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How to help someone who's having a stroke

One Australian has a stroke every 9 minutes. But the sooner they get treated, the better. Learn the 'F.A.S.T.' way to help a person having a stroke.

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Central nervous system (CNS)

Your central nervous system (CNS) is made up of your brain and your spinal cord. Learn more about its role and the different parts of the brain.

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Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning disability that makes reading, writing and spelling difficult. Support and special education can help and are most effective when started as early as possible in childhood.

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Aneurysms

An aneurysm is a bulge in an artery or vein caused by a weakened vessel wall. Learn about the types of aneurysm, its symptoms and how it's treated.

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Laryngectomy

A laryngectomy is surgery to remove the larynx, most often because of a cancer of the larynx. Either the whole or a part of the larynx can be removed.

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Cochlear implant

Cochlear implants are electronic devices that stimulate the hearing nerve to provide sounds directly to the brain. They are designed to improve hearing.

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Stroke rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation helps the brain to relearn skills that have been affected. Learn about the most common problems and types of rehabilitation.

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Hearing loss

Hearing loss is usually permanent, but you can protect your hearing by avoiding loud noise. Know the symptoms and when to get tested.

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Brain diseases

A healthy brain is quick and efficient. Problems like inflammation, loss of brain cells, tumours, trauma and age-related diseases can change that. Learn more.

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Autism

Autism is a developmental disability that can cause a complex range of behavioural symptoms and may be mild, moderate or severe.

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Cleft lip and cleft palate

Cleft lip or palate develops when parts of the lip, upper jaw or roof of the mouth don’t join properly early on in pregnancy, resulting in an opening or cleft.

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Encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious brain condition usually caused by a virus. If you think or your child may have encephalitis, seek medical attention straight away.

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Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) includes problems with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, dribbling, or closing the lips. Find out more here.

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Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy is performed to create a small opening in the front of the neck into the windpipe to allow breathing through the throat.

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Facial droop

If you have facial droop, your face doesn’t look symmetrical and moving an eye or your mouth may be difficult. See a doctor if you notice any facial drooping.

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Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome can cause development, learning and medical problems, although children with it often have well-developed language and music skills.

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Cri du chat syndrome

Cri du chat (“cat’s cry”) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes delayed physical development, a small head size and intellectual disability. Learn more here, including why the condition has this name.

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Apert syndrome

Apert syndrome is a rare condition that causes an abnormally shaped skull and fused fingers and toes. Other body parts and organs are also affected. Surgery and other treatments can, however, help development.

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Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. Learning the 'F.A.S.T.' test for stroke symptoms can save a person's life.

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Learning disabilities

Learning disabilities affect someone’s ability to learn in a particular area (e.g. reading or maths). Unlike intellectual disabilities, they only affect a specific area of learning. Find out more here.

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