Disability Care Speech Pathology

Disability Care Speech Pathology

Are you after a specialist speech pathologist who understands disability and who sets therapy goals at a functional level with a person centred approach?

Fiona Ann is a specialist speech pathologist within the disability sector who has over 15 years experience in working as a speech pathologist with all forms of disability, including children and adults, as well as across a variety of settings. Fiona has a specialist interest in the association between communication difficulty and challenging behaviour.

Fiona has owned and operated a large private practice in Sydney and formed an Autism Clinic as well as A Better Start Clinic, both approved under FaHCSIA.

In 2012, Fiona moved to Newcastle and has formed 'Communicate Connect' which is registered under FaHCSIA for both Autism and Better Start.

Fiona is also a registered provider under DisabilityCare (Provider Registration Number: 37901162) and has been approved for the following;
·Specialised assessment of skills, abilities and needs
·Early intervention supports for early childhood
·Therapeutic supports
·Communication and information equipment
·Assistive technology specialist assessment, set up and training

Fiona has a particular specialty in assessing and diagnosing swallowing difficulties in children and adults with disability (including transitioning people with a disability to non oral means for optimal health and safety, but also in transitioning clients to oral food. Fiona understands the ethical and quality of life dilemma's faced with people with a disability when it comes to swallowing difficulties. She also has expertise in assessing clients who are non-verbal as well as those with severely limited communication. Fiona has designed her own assessment checklist.

Fiona ensures her continued updated knowledge of her skills. Fiona has attended training in ICABS, Key Word Signing, PECs (picture exchange communication), DIR Floortime for example. ...read more