The Clinical Excellence Commission has indicated that access to services, including availability of specialist services such as speech pathology, is one of their major areas of complaint from patients.
Until the availability of speech pathology services meet demand, it is important to provide appropriate care while children are waiting for these services. Over many years speech pathologists have been providing advice regarding speech and language stimulation for parents and children while waiting for direct intervention. In this information-rich age, parents also turn to the internet, using devices to support their child.
This study will be the first of its kind in the world to determine the effectiveness of “advice versus device” while children are waiting for speech pathology services.
The outcome of this study will inform best practice regarding appropriate care while waiting for speech pathology services. If the outcomes are positive, the website and speech pathology advice packages will be freely available to families across NSW.
Collaborators: Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Ministry of Health