Speech Pathologists are part of our transdisciplinary education team and work collaboratively with teaching and Education Support (ES) staff to promote communication-focused teaching and learning practices across the school. This includes supporting the implementation of a range of communication approaches and modalities, including verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems such as low- and high-tech speech-generating devices. Their role focuses on upskilling teachers, Education Support staff, and students in areas including receptive and expressive language, play skills, social communication, and social skills.

Frankston SDS promotes a communication-rich learning environment and is guided by the Communication Bill of Rights (Brady et al., 2016), recognising every student’s right to communicate effectively and meaningfully in their own functional way.

Rather than providing individualised therapy, school-based Speech Pathologists collaborate with staff to embed communication supports and strategies within classroom teaching and the curriculum. Their work is centred on building staff capacity and supporting inclusive practices that benefit all students.