Speech & Language therapy

Speech therapy for kids, at home or school

I'm a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia. As a mobile paediatric speech pathologist, I offer home visits and school visits across Melbourne's north.

I've also trained in drama, expressive arts therapy and child-centred play therapy (read more about me).

Speech therapy, play and drama all centre around our innate need for relationships; both within ourselves and with others. Speech and language let us share what we're thinking and feeling with the significant people in our lives.

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What do speech therapy sessions with Silvina look like?

My intention is to help you achieve the goals that are important to you, whilst making sessions as positive and engaging as possible.

Sometimes children and teens don't particularly love going to speech therapy; we are essentially asking them to focus on the one thing that's hardest for them, for 60 minutes every week, in an intensive, 1:1 setting!

I try my best to make sessions as pain-free as possible, always aiming to build a trusting relationship with my clients where you know that I'm 100% on your team. It might still feel like hard work at times, but hopefully you don't feel like you're doing it alone.

Sessions happen at home or at school. Working collaboratively with the family and other allied health so that we're all on the same page is crucial to the effectiveness of the treatment.

How can I help?

I work with children aged 2 to 16 and can help with the assessment and treatment of:

Speech sounds (articulation): producing age-appropriate sounds and sound patterns, including lisps
Language: language delays, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and language disorders associated with autism or genetic syndromes
Reading and spelling: including dyslexia and dysgraphia, and early literacy skills
Fluency (stuttering): including the Lidcombe Program for young children
Toddlers and late talkers: I'm trained in Hanen's It Takes Two to Talk
AAC (alternative and augmentative communication): device trials, NDIS applications and supporting families to use devices in everyday life

16 isn't a hard cut-off, so please get in touch about older clients.

Where play therapy fits in

Play is a child's natural way of communicating: toys are their words and play is their language. I'm trained in child-centred play therapy and use elements of it in my sessions. If a child isn't in a ready-to-learn headspace, I can shift to a more play therapy-based approach.

Working together

I believe in a holistic approach. I love engaging the whole family and your child's allied health team as much as possible, so we're all working towards the same goals.

Looking for a group program? See our drama holiday program.

Common questions

Do I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?

No. You can book directly with me without a referral. You'll need a referral if you'd like to claim a Medicare rebate: a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (up to 5 allied health sessions a calendar year), or the M10 items for children and young people under 25 with an eligible condition, such as stuttering or a speech sound disorder (a referral from your GP or specialist).

How much does speech therapy cost?

Sessions are $193.99 an hour, plus travel ($97 an hour of travel time and $1 per km). You may be able to claim back part of the fee through Medicare or private health insurance, or use NDIS funding. See Fees and funding for the details.

What ages do you see?

Children aged 2 to 16. 16 isn't a hard cut-off, so please get in touch about older clients.

Where do sessions happen?

I come to you, at home, school, or childcare and kinder, across Preston and Melbourne's north (up to about 20 km from Preston).

How long are sessions?

45 to 60 minutes.

Is it too late for speech therapy at 4 or 7?

No. I work with children from 2 to 16, and older clients by arrangement.

Do you work with autistic children?

Yes. I support autistic children with their communication and language development, and my practice is neurodiversity-affirming. This means I see autism as a natural difference, not something to fix. I build on your child's strengths and interests and respect all the ways they communicate.

Meet The Team!