The Society to Promote Essential Education for Children with Communication Handicaps or SPEECH (WA) Inc. was founded in 1981 as an independent, non-profit, non-government association of volunteer parents, professionals and friends.

Membership to SPEECH (WA) is open to anyone who has an interest in children with speech and language difficulties, including parents, friends, teachers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and other interested individuals.

SPEECH (WA) is committed to increasing the educational opportunities for children with communication disorders. The greater the membership of SPEECH (WA), the greater the impact we have on politicians and Government agencies to provide more desperately needed educational and therapy services. Becoming a member of SPEECH (WA) can make a difference, as is exemplified by the specialised educational programmes at Language Development Centres that came into existence largely due to the past efforts of SPEECH (WA).

The SPEECH (WA) committee meets 4 times per year to discuss administrative matters. All members of SPEECH (WA) are encouraged to join these meetings as there are many different ways for members to assist or become involved with individual projects of interest.

SPEECH (WA) provides assistance to parents of children with speech and language
difficulties in the following ways:

  Parent Talks
Parent information evenings are held four times per year. Esteemed key speakers present topics dealing with how to best understand and assist children with communication difficulties. Parent Talks have included Dyspraxia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, Social Skills and other topics relevant to both parents and professionals.

   SPEECH (WA) Website and Quarterly Newsletter
Sources of up-to-date information and valuable resources for parents

   Lobbying For Appropriate Services
SPEECH (WA) aims to raise awareness of the need for children with speech and language disorders to be identified early and to receive the specialised educational and therapy services required to maximise their potential. We are committed to campaigning for the educational rights of children with communication disorders by lobbying the WA Government to provide greater access to educational services that meet their specific needs.

Any enquiries about SPEECH(WA) can be e-mailed to us by clicking on this link: Contact SPEECH