ABOUT:

Speech Pathologists are qualified allied health professionals who work with people who have voice, swallowing or communication difficulties. Speech Pathologists can work with people of all ages however at Sound Voice Speech Pathology we specialise in working with adult clients over the age of 18years.

Mel is our senior SP and has been a Member of Speech Pathology Australia since 2007.  Mel graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2010. Since that time she has worked extensively in inpatient hospital acute, emergency and rehabilitation settings, outpatient settings, Koori outreach and a fly-in, fly-out service. She moved to the Shepparton area in 2013 and has loved it here ever since.

Mel has many years of experience working with clients who have difficulty with:

•  Dysphagia (swallowing changes), 

• Dysphonia (voice changes, teachers voice), 

• Dysarthria (trouble making sound and saying the sounds/words clearly), 

• Dysphasia (difficulty finding words or understanding words) 

• Cancers of the Head and Neck (pre or post treatment assessment, rehabilitation and management of speech and swallowing)

• Cognitive changes (Brain Injuries, Strokes, Dementia, thinking changes due to MS, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease etc)

• and altered breathing habits (laryngospasm, inducible laryngeal obstruction [ILO], chronic cough, COPD). 

These problems can arise due to ageing, neurological, neurodegenerative, oncology, respiratory, anatomical differences and many other causes. As part of her Dysphagia practice Mel has developed a special interest in the role of Reflux, and the functional-impact of reflux on the oesophagus (food pipe), pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box/windpipe).

Mel is a certified Lee Silverman Voice Therapist and is also completing her SpeakOUT qualification for clients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. She also uses a variety of other voice/relaxation and communication therapy techniques to assist clients to improve the function of their cognition, voices or to match their voice to their identified gender. Sound Voice Speech Pathology is a LGBTQIA+ safe space. You can be yourself with us. I also strive for cultural inclusion and culturally safe practice when working with clients from non-English speaking or first-Australian backgrounds.

Mel has experience assisting clients who are hoping to transition from enteral feeding (PEG) to oral-comfort-feeding, partial or full oral intake. I am able to provide education, assessment and recommendations. 

NOTE: Please be aware - I recognize that not ALL clients will be successful in moving from enteral feeding back to oral intake but I'm willing to see if there is anything I can help you with. Mel is determined to ensure that clients with a disability or palliative diagnosis in our community, who are able to eat and drink; continue to do so safely and comfortably when they may be having difficulty swallowing. I believe in Quality of Life choices and dignity of risk.

Services 

• support and therapy for cancer surgeries or cancer therapies targeting areas in the head, mouth, neck or oesophagus.  Including people who need or those who have had surgery, to remove cancer of the tongue, tonsils, voice box or other areas within the head/neck. Including support for people receiving hospice or palliative care  as well as those living at home/working etc

• supports for adults with neurological conditions that progress over time, such as Motor Neurone Disease, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson’s,  Multiple Sclerosis or any Dementia diagnosis.

• therapy for speech and voice problems: relating to gender, Neurological/Neuromuscular/Neurodegenerative conditions and many  other conditions  

• Dysphagia assessment, rehabilitation and compensations for coughing when eating or drinking, taking medications, those with chronic-coughing (a cough you just can't get rid of), choking when eating or drinking

• acquired brain injury, for example due to a car accident or stroke 

• support and therapy for hearing loss those with new cochlear implants 

• people with communication or swallowing difficulties related to a mental illness (or related to the medication taken to treat a mental illness) 

• young people (over 18yrs) and adults in contact with the justice system who find it difficult to communicate effectively 

• therapy to reduce stuttering

• services for people who find it hard, or are unable, to communicate through speaking and use alternative  augmentative communication (AAC) instead. For example, an electronic communication device, eye-gaze communication, or a communication board to express themselves. [PLEASE NOTE: I am unable to offer AAC services at this time]

Speech Pathology Australia has position statements and fact sheets that include information about the role of a speech pathologist and the various communication difficulties they treat. 

More information for people with communication difficulties, their partners,/friends and the wider community can be found on the Communication Hub on the Speech Pathology Australia website. https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Clients

Adult clients with diagnoses of Neurological, Neuromuscular, Neurodegenerative, Oncology or Palliative conditions. My clients are over the age of age of 18years and are covered for Speech Pathology by private health insurance, are claiming trough medicare (there will be out of pocket expense), home care packages/NDIS or are paying for their own services.  Mel is particularly skilled in the areas of Swallowing, Communication and Voice. Mel will work along-side you to find out which assessments, treatments and speech pathology services are right for you.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are seeking services for adult clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses please contact Mel and she will be happy to provide a list of local service providers who are skilled in this specialist area of practice.

Referral

If you wish to claim against medicare or private health cover you will require a GP referral / Enhanced Primary Care Plan (for those with a chronic or terminal condition) for Speech Pathology under Medicare (NOTE: there may be out of pocket expenses). 

If you are self-funded (paying yourself) you can refer yourself by giving us a call (see below). 

If you are paying through a government Home Care Package your care coordinator can provide me with a Purchase Order for the required number of hours OR you may be able to pay yourself, and claim the expense back from your package [please check this first to confirm].

It is our expectation that you have checked with your health fund regarding your cover and whether you are able to claim for Speech Pathology. 

NOTE: Your $$ amount you are able to claim or the number of sessions/hours you can claim may be limited.