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What We Do

Debbie is interested in working with all children who have speech and language disorders. These difficulties can include:

Language delay and disorders
Speech disorders (articulation, phonology and dyspraxia)
Cleft palate and resonance disorders
Language based learning difficulties
Autism spectrum disorders
Stuttering


After a referral, an initial assessment will be organised. Information from all the people involved with your child will help to gain a holistic assessment of your child. The areas assessed will depend on the difficulties that the people in his life are concerned about. Areas assessed include:

Receptive language  (comprehension)
Expressive language
Speech (articulation/phonology)
Voice and resonance
Fluency
Social communication (pragmatics)


Following assessment, the results of the assessment will be discussed with parents and a written report on the assessment will be available. The client will decide who the report is available to. However, if your child is referred under The Primary Care Program, a report will need to be forwarded to the referring doctor.

The need for speech therapy and pattern of attendance will be discussed with parents. Speech therapy is usually offered on weekly or fortnightly basis depending on the diagnosis and severity. Regular home practice is given to maximise progress.

About Us

Debbie Yuille Speech Pathology is a dedicated paediatric speech pathology practice specialising in the assessment and treatment of speech and language difficulties in children. Speech therapy is offered at Central Paediatrics, Stanmore and Loftus.

Debbie Yuille is a Paediatric Speech Pathologist with a wide range of experience working with children with speech and language difficulties.  Debbie will use her broad clinical knowledge to help your child develop their communication skills.     

After starting her career in community health, Debbie then moved to The Children’s Hospital, Camperdown (now Westmead) where she was promoted to Head Speech Pathologist.   Debbie was an integral part of The Children’s Hospital’s Cleft Palate clinic, Hearing Disability clinic and Child Development Unit.  She has been involved in research into speech and language skills of children with Velocardiofacial syndrome and Neurofibromatosis. Debbie was a contributor to The Parent’s Guide to Cleft Lip and Palate written by the Cleft Palate Clinic. Since 1995, Debbie has been helping children with communication difficulties in private practice.

Debbie is passionate about helping every child achieve their potential.   Therapy is a collaborative process between the child, parents, therapist and teachers - with all working to improve the child’s communication skills. Debbie’s speech therapy treatment is centred on evidence based best practice and her regular professional development will ensure that your child’s therapy techniques are effective and up to date. Parents are actively involved in planning speech therapy goals and working with the therapist and their child to achieve them.  

Debbie also offers speech therapy for adolescents and adults who have cleft palates or craniofacial related speech difficulties. 

Debbie Yuille

B.App.Sc (Speech Pathology)
Member of Speech Pathology Australia
Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Hanen certified Speech Pathologist
Lidcombe stuttering program trained
Makaton key word signing

FAQs

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Do I need a doctor’s referral?

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You do not need a doctors’ referral to make a speech pathology appointment. A referral is not required to claim a rebate from you health fund. If your GP has referred your child under the Primary Care program you will need this referral to claim the rebate for 5 sessions from Medicare. It is a good idea to discuss your concerns about your child with your GP or Paediatrician. 

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Do late talkers catch up on their own?

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Many parents believe that their late talker will catch up without any problems. Some children will catch up and others do not. Research shows that some children who are later talkers and catch up are at a greater risk of reading difficulties. An assessment by a Speech Pathologist will help you determine if the language delay is a cause for concern. Parents are the most significant people in a child’s environment and giving you ideas to help develop your child’s language skills can significantly improve their ability to communicate.  We know that learning language is partly innate and partly learnt through social interactions. 

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Do we need to organise a hearing test?

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Children with excellent hearing can still have speech and language problems. However, a hearing difficulty, a history of ear infections and glue ear are all risk factors for speech and language problems. Your child should have had a hearing assessment at birth but if you are concerned about their hearing discuss this with your GP.

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Is my child too young to see a Speech Pathologist?

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Children do develop speech and language at their own pace but there is concern if they do not reach some milestones.
By 18 months, your child should
- Use at least 20 words
- Be intelligible to strangers 25% of the time
- Point to common objects and body parts

By 2 years, your child should
- Have at least 100 words and have 2 word combinations
- be intelligible to strangers 50% of the time
-  Ask and answer simple questions
- Follow simple instructions

By 4 years, your child should
- Use sentences of 4 or more words
- Grammar should be correct most of the time
- Have wide vocabulary
- Be intelligible to strangers 100% of the time

Research shows that early intervention for speech and language problems has the best outcomes. If you have any concerns, an assessment can determine if your child is having difficulties and therapy can help them achieve their potential.  Good speech and language skills will give your child the best foundation for a smooth transition into school. However, it is never too late to refer to speech therapy.

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What does a speech and language assessment entail?

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Initially, concerns about your child’s communication abilities will be discussed to help plan the assessment.  The assessment of your child will be conducted with you in the room. The type of assessment depends on the presenting difficulties and the age of your child. Older children will often have a formal, standardised speech and language assessment. With younger children, formal assessments with pictures and toys, observations, checklists and play can be used.  A comprehensive assessment will look at the following areas:
- Receptive language  ( comprehension)
- Expressive language
- Speech ( articulation/phonology)
- Voice
- Fluency
- Social communication (pragmatics)

Funding

+ Private health funds provide rebates for Speech Pathology services. This will depend on your level of health cover.  Contact your health fund to see if you are able to claim a rebate for speech therapy.

+ Chronic medical conditions are subsidised by Medicare under the Enhanced Primary Care plan program. You can discuss this with your General Practitioner. After your GP has completed a Care Plan, you can claim a rebate from Medicare for 5 sessions.

+ The Helping Children with Autism package is available for children who have been diagnosed with Autism spectrum Disorder. Children 6 years and under will be able to access funding through FaHCSIA and there are  Medicare payments available for diagnosis and intervention of children up to 13 years of age.

+ The Better Start Program package is available for children with moderate hearing and visual loss and a number of other developmental difficulties e.g. Down’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Microcephaly. Children 6 years and under are able to access funding through FaCHSIA and there are Medicare rebates available for assessment and intervention of children up to 13 years of age.

our locations

Central Paediatrics

  • 96 Percival Road
  • Stanmore 2048
  • 02 9564 5777
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Debbie Yuille

  • 7 Cranberry Street
  • Loftus 2232
  • 02 9521 3085

Central Paediatrics

  • 96 Percival Road
  • Stanmore 2048
  • 02 9564 5777
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Debbie Yuille

  • 7 Cranberry Street
  • Loftus 2232
  • 02 9521 3085
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Contact Us

For all appointments, please call Ph: 9521 3085.  If I am with a client, I will call you back.
I am at Central Paediatrics, Stanmore on Monday and Wednesday, please call Ph:  9564 5777
If you need to cancel or change an appointment please SMS me on: 0413 556 497
Alternatively, please fill out the form below.

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