Anyone seen a speech pathologist in canberra? What was the cost and were they good?
My 3Yo son has a speech delay, but our GP never referred us to a speech pathologist. Was going to go to a drop in speech pathology session held by the ACT government, but I am not quite sure what to expect... any ideas / advice?
Can I just ring a private practitioner without a referral?

You dont need a referral from a GP for private speechies.
I was paying $60 a sessions for private speech and getting some of it back through private health insurance.
The waiting list for the public is a year or two, I put Emylies name down and used a private speechie until we were accepted privately.

There are drop in speech clinics at some of the MACH centres. Just call the intake likne and they can confirm times - I understand it is first come first served basis, so get there early!

Might be a good first step to assess what is needed.

You are now entitled to a medicare rebate for 5 private sessions a year, provided there is a GP referral, but you can make an appt then get the referral before the first session. My sister (in Sydney) is using medicare for first 5 sessions, then will switch to private health insurance for rest of year. She's been on the public waiting list in her area for about a year now, but can't really complain as it's out SIL who is currently taking maternity leave who is causing the delays in her area LOL!

I agree with PP that a Therapy ACT drop-in clinic is a great starting point, as they will recommend services required, and can fast track the waiting times if they think it necessary. If your child needs more than one service (Occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology) they will get priority over children only requiring one service.

As usual I agree with everything Jet07 says.

We see a private speechie once a week, cost is $95 for the hour. I believe most are around that figure and sadly most have closed their books - but it's still worth putting your name on their waiting lists.

FYI we get $40 back from PHI and used the 5 sessions from our care plan.

DS (2.5) attends the Communication and Social Awareness (CASA) Play group - run by ACT Education (previously by ACT Therapy) make sure if you need to go down that path you're put on waiting lists for both portfolios' services (ACT Therapy and ACT Ed.) Don't assume the staff talk to each other....and if you fax anything call up and confirm they've received it! I've heard so many stories about parents assuming they were moving up the waiting list when in fact their paperwork wasn't received or even lost!