New speech pathology service

A new speech pathology practice has opened in Umina.

Speech pathologist Ms Larissa Raufauore and husband David have opened the private practice on the Peninsula called Family Speech Therapy.

According to Ms Raufauore, Family Speech Therapy provides assessment and therapy for all children and adults with communication difficulties.

She said communication difficulties could arise from problems with speech, using and understanding language, voice, reading, writing or hearing.

"Because these services are in high demand all over Australia, many families on the Peninsula have had to travel outside the local area to attend speech therapy," Ms Raufauore said.

"Juggling school, work and family commitments, many parents find it difficult to travel outside their local area to take their child to see a speech pathologist and now there is a locally accessible, affordable service."

According to the Speech Pathology Australia Association, one in seven Australians have a communication impairment, 386,000 children have speech delay problems and 577,000 school aged children have difficulties with language.

"Unfortunately these needs are often not recognised and failure to treat these can lead to low academic achievement in childhood and in adulthood as well as a reduced ability to make decisions, express opinions or socialise with others," Ms Raufauore said.

"Those affected may also experience unnecessary embarrassment and frustration in day to day life.

"Children with communication impairment are at risk of being the target of bullying at school, less likely to be chosen as friendship partners and more likely to be socially withdrawn, anxious or depressed than their peers without communication impairment.

"Speech therapy can prevent these serious consequences and give children and adults a more fulfilling and satisfying life."

Both Larissa and David Raufauore graduated from the University of Sydney, Larissa with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology and David with a Bachelor of Health Science in Hearing and Speech.

After moving to the Central Coast from Sydney, the couple wanted to open a reasonably priced speech pathology practice in an area where speech pathology needs were underserviced.

Press release, 22 Jul 2009 Larissa Raufauore, Family Speech Therapy