We provide speech therapy online for children, adolescents and adults with genetic syndromes.
We are a registered NDIS provider and use an inclusive approach to therapy, where the person can be in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.
How can speech therapy benefit people with genetic syndromes?
Speech therapy can offer significant benefits to individuals with genetic syndromes in several ways:
1. **Communication Skills**: Many genetic syndromes are associated with speech and language challenges. Speech therapy can help individuals improve their ability to express themselves verbally or non-verbally, using techniques tailored to their specific needs and abilities.
2. **Articulation and Phonology**: Some individuals may have difficulty articulating sounds or pronouncing words correctly. A speech therapist can work with them on speech clarity, helping to enhance their intelligibility.
3. **Language Development**: Therapy can support both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (speaking) skills. This includes expanding vocabulary, improving grammar, and facilitating better comprehension of verbal instructions.
4. **Social Communication**: Individuals with genetic syndromes may struggle with social interactions. Speech therapy can address pragmatic language skills, such as taking turns in conversation, maintaining topics, and understanding social cues, fostering better interpersonal communication.
5. **Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)**: For those who have severe communication difficulties, speech therapists can introduce AAC systems, including sign language, picture exchange systems, and technological devices that help improve communication.
6. **Swallowing and Feeding**: Some genetic syndromes can affect muscle tone and coordination, impacting swallowing and feeding skills. Speech therapy can provide strategies and exercises to improve these functions safely.
7. **Self-Advocacy Skills**: As individuals progress in their communication abilities, speech therapy can also focus on teaching self-advocacy skills, enabling them to express their needs and preferences more effectively.
8. **Cognitive-Communication Skills**: For some, cognitive challenges may accompany genetic syndromes. Speech therapy can target skills like problem-solving, memory, and organization that are essential for effective communication.
9. **Emotional Support**: Improved communication can lead to increased confidence and self-esteem. Through therapy, individuals often experience enhanced social interaction, which can reduce feelings of isolation or frustration related to communication barriers.
Overall, tailored speech therapy can provide critical support and improve the quality of life for individuals with genetic syndromes, enabling them to communicate more effectively and engage more fully with their environments.
Services for children, adolescents and adults
We have speech therapists who work with children, adolescents and adults, and we have therapists who have experience with genetic syndromes. Read more about our therapists here.
NDIS registered provider
We are a registered NDIS provider and work with self-managed, plan-managed and agency-managed clients.
If your are an NDIS provider or support coordinator we can provide reliable speech therapy for clients with genetic syndromes in any location. Refer a client and we’ll connect you to the right clinician.
Is online speech therapy effective?
Yes! A growing body of evidence shows that online delivery of therapy can be as effective as face to face. Online therapy has many other benefits too, including being convenient and accessible for people in regional and rural areas.
How does online speech therapy work?
At Umbo online therapy is not just zoom plus business-as-usual. It’s much more diverse than simply videoconferencing. Umbo therapists provide an individualised approach to each person, using the latest evidence, and a variety of technologies and engagement techniques.
Umbo champions person-centred therapy. It means the person and their family/support people leads the conversation. We believe that the most effective therapy occurs when support is given in the environment where the person lives, learns, works or plays. Therefore we work with the family, and teach skills to you or to other supporters. This means you’re achieving real-life goals, rather than just achieving goals in a clinic.
We are a certified social enterprise helping Australian families access allied health services.