About
Natalie Jones is a speech pathologist in the West Gippsland region of Victoria. She established her practice after 15 years working at a senior level in government health services and the not-for-profit sector across Australia.
Natalie provides a complete assessment, intervention, and consultation service to address a range of speech pathology needs (please see Available Services). She prides herself on her thorough approach to investigating and treating the reasons for communication or swallowing difficulties, especially when the cause may be complex or not immediately obvious.
Natalie brings the most up-to-date, evidence-based speech pathology services to her clients. She works hard to ensure her skills and knowledge remain in line with advances in the field. She provides training and workshops in areas of communication and swallowing to organisations including TAFE colleges, disability support services, early childhood educators and teachers, parent groups, and workplaces.
Natalie's clinical experience covers various settings where speech therapy occurs, including:
Regional and city hospitals
Early intervention services for children aged 0-7 with developmental delays or disorders
Childcare and early learning centres
Kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools
Assisted care, clinic and home environments
Speech pathology is often one part of a person’s health or education team. She knows the importance of working closely with all people involved with an individual’s care. This includes family members and GPs, and sometimes other professionals such as occupational therapists, neurologists and other specialist doctors, both locally and in major centres.
When working with children where behaviour is a factor, Natalie employs an approach that is kind and compassionate, yet steady and consistent.
Natalie believes in the full potential of every individual. She loves to help people achieve the little things, and the big things. Sometimes these are new skills that are part of a child’s ongoing development. In other circumstances, she works with clients to help them maintain skills and as much independence as possible through life’s changes. She believes in seeing people within the context of their life by looking at a swallowing or communication issue and relating this to a client’s ‘bigger picture’.
Having grown up on a farm in West Gippsland, Natalie appreciates both the advantages and the challenges of the regional lifestyle. She understands that access to reliable, affordable and high-quality services is critical to the wellbeing of regional communities.
Natalie understands that getting speech pathology is a highly personal decision. She works through all possible options with individuals and families to make sure they receive the service that is right for them.
Please feel welcome to contact Natalie to discuss how speech pathology may assist with swallowing or communication problems you or your family may be experiencing. She can help you decide whether speech pathology is right for you or your family at this time.
