Dyslexia & Literacy
Speech pathologists assess and support the language skills underneath reading and spelling, including for dyslexia and dysgraphia.
What you might notice
- Reading is slow, effortful or inaccurate compared with peers
- Trouble sounding out unfamiliar words, or guessing from the first letter
- Spelling that does not match the effort put in, or looks different each time
- Avoiding reading and writing; strong ideas verbally that do not reach the page
- A family history of similar difficulties
How we help
Assessment looks at the building blocks of literacy — phonological awareness, letter–sound knowledge, decoding, fluency, spelling and written expression — and where the breakdown is. Intervention is explicit and structured (a synthetic-phonics, evidence-based approach), targeting the specific gaps rather than more of the same reading practice. We share strategies and accommodations with the school and, where writing stays hard, help set up assistive technology.
When to reach out
If reading or spelling is well behind where you would expect, is not responding to good classroom teaching, or is affecting your child’s confidence, an assessment will pinpoint what to target. Earlier is better, but it is never too late — we also see older students and adults.
Common Questions
Still not sure? Call the clinic on 0493 719 759 and we'll talk it through.
Do you diagnose dyslexia?
A speech pathologist can assess the language and literacy profile consistent with dyslexia and describe it clearly. A formal diagnostic label is usually made by a psychologist; we are happy to work alongside one.
Isn’t this the school’s job?
Schools do a lot, and we work with them. Targeted, individual intervention on the specific gaps often moves things faster than classroom support alone.