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More than just improving your speech

Beyond enhancing your speech, speech pathologists can also assist if you have communication or swallowing difficulties. Our Speech Pathologist Georgie Forsberg explains how.

2 Nov 2017

What does a speech pathologist do?

Most people think speech pathologists work solely on improving your speech. This can mean working with you as a child or as an adult to help you overcome a lisp or stutter.

However, speech pathologists can help with a much broader range of conditions, including:

communication difficulties after a stroke or brain injury
swallowing difficulties
neurological conditions affecting speech such as Parkinson’s Disease
voice disorders.

What to expect

A thorough individual assessment to identify your communication or swallowing issues, which may include a videofluroscopy (a swallow x-ray) to further assess swallowing difficulties
Diagnosis and development of a treatment plan taking into account your personal goals
Education and advice
Collaboration with your doctor and specialist as needed

Interested in speech pathology?

We offer both speech pathology outpatient and casual appointments.

Have a referral from your GP or Specialist?

If you have a referral, please call to commence your outpatient rehabilitation program.
Tel: (03) 9788 3350

No referral?

Our casual speech pathology appointments do not require a doctor referral and are available to anyone in the community, you do not need to have been a patient in our hospital.

Please note: A GP referral is required for a Chronic Disease Management Scheme and DVA claiming.

Complete an enquiry form or contact our Active Health and Wellbeing caregiver team to make an appointment.

Tel: (03) 9788 3331

St John of God Frankston Hospital allied health

Georgia Forsberg Speech Pathologist

Posted: 2 Nov 2017

About the Author

Georgia has over twenty years’ clinical experience as a speech pathologist working with adults. Her expertise in Parkinson’s disease has assisted with the implementation of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT®) program at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, providing specialist voice therapy for Parkinson’s patients. She is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia and continues to contribute to student supervision through La Trobe University and Melbourne University Clinical Education Programs.