Literacy Intervention and Support

How can a speech pathologist help with literacy?

How are we assessing literacy skills

Understanding Your Child’s Literacy Skills

Literacy skills can be formally assessed by a certified speech pathologist or psychologist. Literacy is assessed using the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing – Second Edition (CTOPP -2). This assessment helps break down the components of literacy skills and allows for a better understanding of where, if any, literacy issues are occurring and develop goals and interventions to support your child. This assessment may be used to:

  • Identify where literacy issues are occurring
  • Support a diagnosis of specific learning disorder (such as dyslexia)
  • Provide evidence for additional school supports

What Literacy tool do we use

What Is the CTOPP‑2 and What Does It Measure?

The CTOPP-2 is a standardised assessment meaning it compares your child’s literacy abilities to other children their age. The CTOPP-2 breaks down literacy skills into 12 different subtests that measures ‘phonological awareness’. Phonological awareness involves skills like rhyming and sounding out letters, children with strong phonological awareness skills are shown to have strong literacy skills.

Phonological Awareness

The ability to recognise and manipulate sounds in spoken words

Sound Blending

Combining individual sounds to form words

Sound Segmentation

Breaking words into individual sounds

Phonological Memory

Holding sound‑based information in short‑term memory

Rapid Naming

Quickly naming familiar letters, numbers, or objects

Verbal Working Memory

Remembering and repeating sequences of sounds or numbers

Literacy Intervention in Melbourne

Who can be assessed for the CTOPP-2?

The CTOPP-2 can be used for people aged 4 to 24 and are typically used when parents or educators have concerns around a child’s reading and writing abilities. If you would like to book a literacy assessment, you can submit a request below.

Request an Intake

Literacy Skills

 

Why is Literacy Important?

Literacy is important because it is the foundation for learning, communication, and everyday functioning. Strong literacy skills help children to:

  • Learn across all school subjects – reading and writing are essential for understanding instructions, textbooks, and assessments.
  • Communicate effectively – literacy supports clear expression of thoughts, ideas, and needs.
    Develop independence and confidence – being able to read and write allows children to participate more fully at school and in daily life.
  • Build future opportunities – literacy skills are closely linked to academic success, employment, and lifelong learning.
  • Support emotional wellbeing – difficulties with literacy can affect self‑esteem, behaviour, and motivation if not addressed early.
  • Early identification and support of literacy difficulties can make a significant difference to a child’s long‑term learning and wellbeing.

What to expect

Here's what you can expect from our Speech pathology service

We understand that every individual’s mental health journey is unique. That’s why our speech pathology service takes a personalised approach to your therapy sessions.

01

Book in an initial consult:

When you first enquire about completing a literacy assessment a 30-minute consult is completed to ensure that the correct assessment is being completed with you child and that any supports needed are being put in place.

02

Assessment:

Book in 2 hours to complete the assessment.
Clinician will complete 2 hours of report writing with in a 3 months’ time frame.

03

Results Consultation:

Book in 30-minute consult to discuss the final report and answer any questions you may have about results found.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

Speech pathology services at Moi Clinic are available on a weekly or fortnightly basis and may be short‑, medium‑, or long‑term, depending on individual needs. Services can be accessed through the NDIS or may be eligible for private health insurance rebates.

Therapy may involve ongoing intervention, with the speech pathologist working closely with you and discussing progress and next steps as required.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions required will depend on your unique needs and concerns. Some clients may require only a few sessions, while others may require ongoing treatment.

What funding can be used?

Speech pathology services may be funded through the NDIS or may be eligible for coverage through some private health insurance policies. We recommend checking with your provider to confirm whether your plan covers these services.

Do I need a referral to see a Speech pathologist?

No referral is required to see a speech pathologist at Moi Clinic. You can book an appointment directly with one of our speech pathologists.

What should I expect during my first session?

When you first enquire about completing a literacy assessment a 30-minute consult is completed to ensure that the correct assessment is being completed with you child and that any supports needed are being put in place.

How long are the sessions?

The initial appointment is a 30‑minute consultation.

The literacy assessment session runs for approximately 2 hours.

Will my sessions be confidential?

Yes, your sessions will be completely confidential. Your Speech Pathologist will not share any information about your sessions with anyone without your explicit consent.

Request an intake

get started on your journey

Our team at Moi Clinic is dedicated to providing personalised and supportive allied health service services to help you overcome the challenges affecting your literacy challenges. Contact us today to learn more and get started.

Request intake

blogs

mental health advice for the family

Our mental health blogs cover a wide range of topics from wellbeing and emotional health of individuals and families.