What is Speech Pathology?

Speech Pathology is an allied health profession helping people who have difficulties with their communication, eating and drinking. Speech Pathologists are university qualified allied health professionals. They diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice. They work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language. People who experience difficulties swallowing food and drink safely can also be helped by a Speech Pathologist.

Speech Pathologists at The Royal Children’s Hospital provide specialist assessment, consultation and treatment for infants, children and adolescents who are having trouble communicating, speaking and using their voice, feeding, swallowing, or drinking. They see both inpatients and outpatients.

The department is also responsible for providing support to other professionals. We offer state-wide professional development opportunities and tertiary consultative services for Speech Pathologists and other health professionals as requested and appropriate.