Allied Health Assistant Program

Allied Health Assistants (AHA) deliver additional, comprehensive therapy between speech pathology appointments for children facing speech and language difficulties. This therapy is completed under the guidance of a certified practicing Speech Pathologist.

Discover the advantages of involving an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) in your child's therapeutic journey at Wonder Words Speech Pathology.

The AHA Process

  • In this first session the AHA will observe and the SP will assess and confirm the suitability for AHA involvement.

    Billing for Speech Pathologist (SP) services only will apply (1 hour).

  • The Allied Health Assistant and Speech Pathologist will meet to create a personalised the AHA program for the client. They will determine the frequency of sessions required over a block of time/term.

    Billing for both AHA and SP services will apply (1 hour).

  • Sessions will commence. These could alternate fortnightly between the AHA and the Speech Pathologist.

    For any extra observation sessions conducted by the AHA with the SP, there will be no charge for the AHA's time. These sessions are primarily for educational & training purposes.

  • At the end of the term, the AHA, parent, Speech Pathologist and client will attend a review session. They will re-assess and discuss the goals within the AHA program.

    Both the AHA and SP will bill for their services.

Here's how AHAs can benefit your child:

Intensive Therapy Program:

AHAs can provide a more intensive therapy program than what the speech pathologist may have the capacity for, ensuring focused and personalised attention for your child's needs.

Parental Support and Education:

They model and reinforce effective strategies for parents/carers, empowering them to implement these strategies at home. This collaborative approach enhances the overall effectiveness of the therapy.

Generalisation of Skills:

AHAs contribute to capacity-building by helping clients generalise new skills learned in therapy to natural settings, such as their homes or classrooms. This ensures a seamless transition from therapy sessions to real-life situations.

Environmental Observations:

AHAs undertake observations and activities in the client's everyday environment, identifying potential barriers or facilitators to communication. This valuable insight is then reported to the speech pathologist for a more holistic and targeted intervention.

Time Efficiency:

By assisting with certain aspects of therapy, AHAs allow the speech pathologist more time to focus on complex tasks, ultimately maximising the quality of care provided to each child.

Focused on Early Intervention:

AHAs concentrate on identifying barriers or facilitators to communication in various everyday environments, optimising early intervention for children. Their collaboration with speech pathologists ensures a tailored and specialised approach for each child's unique goals.

Get in Touch

For for more information about the AHA program or to register your interest, please email us at info@wwsp.com.au.