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This article will walk you through what is a speech therapist, the costs and where to find them in Hong Kong.
Speech therapists diagnose, assess, and treat people with hearing, speech, articulation, expression, and swallowing disorders. Based on the assessment and the advice of other professionals, the speech therapist will design individualized treatment for the patient, provide support to the patient's family and carers, and help the patient choose the appropriate communication system and hearing aids.
To become a speech therapist in Hong Kong, one must have completed any local Bachelor or Master program in speech therapy recognized by the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (HKIST), or obtained certification from a designated overseas professional association after completing a speech therapy degree program overseas.
Speech therapists can improve a variety of language and expression problems for people of all ages. Here are some of the examples of diseases/ disorders that require treatment from a speech therapist.
Speech therapists use a variety of treatments to target different problems. Taking treatments for children as an example, they can be divided into four categories according to the main problems targeted.
Main problems targeted | Problems in daily lives | Treatments |
Language Problems |
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Speech Problems |
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Social Communication Problems |
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Oral-motor and Eating Problems |
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Sources: Ms. Anita Li, Speech Therapist、Heep Hong Society、PDA
Speech therapists serve in hospitals, child care centers, special schools, education bureaus and other units. You can find a list of clinical settings and institutions with speech therapists available provided by the Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists here.
Clinics | Details |
Brighten Development & Therapy Centre | Address: Unit 1720, 17/F, Tower 1, Grand Central Plaza, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin Tel: 2786 1611 |
ENT Laser Hearing and Speech Therapy Centre | Address: Room 903, 9/F, Hang Seng Tsim Sha Tsui Building, 18 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel: 2523 2883 |
HK Progress Speech Therapy Centre | Address: Unit 23D, Prosperous Commercial Building, No. 54, Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, HK. Tel: 3580 0938 |
Mastery Speech & Swallowing Clinic Ltd. | Address: Rm 1119-1120, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kln Tel: 2626 9611 |
New Page Speech Therapy & Rehab Consultancy Ltd. | Address: Room 905, 9/F, Capitol Centre, 9-15 Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, HK Tel: 2882 7711 |
Precious Speech Therapy Centre(Hong Kong) | Address: Room 1102, 11/F, 168 Sai Yeung Choi South Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon Tel: 3743 0968 |
Speech Therapy And Rehabilitation Training Centre Ltd | Address: Flat C, 9/F, Best-O- Best Commercial Centre, 32-36 Ferry Street, Jordan KLN Tel: 2803 0395 |
Widex Hong Kong Hearing & Speech Centre Ltd. | Address: Rm 1101-2, Hang Shing Building, 363 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon Tel: 2771 0501 |
You can find a directory of speech therapists in private practice provided by the Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists, in which you can search by therapist location, specialization, gender, and age group treated. Please note that the directory will only show information of therapists who are willing to be searchable by the public.
Public sector fees: For eligible HKID-holders, the price is HK$135 for the first attendance, $80 per subsequent attendance and $15 per drug item.
Other organizations' fees: The assessment fees in different organizations vary widely, ranging from HK$780 to $4,000. In terms of treatment fees, the cost of language impairment for children ranges from $590 to $3,500, and the cost of dysphagia for the elderly suffering from stroke ranges from $700 to $3,500. The costs depend on therapist qualifications, assessment items, assessment durations, and whether a package fee is available.
Speech therapy is usually not covered by health insurance. When it is covered, it’s usually under high-end medical plans and subject to a sub-limit and/or pre-authorization by the insurer. Most often Speech therapy is covered under outpatient benefits following an accident or sudden illness. In rare instances, it may cover services for children diagnosed with developmental delay. Contact an Alea advisor to learn more.
Speech therapists diagnose, assess, and treat people with hearing, speech, articulation, expression, and swallowing disorders.
No, speech therapists and psychologists are two different professions, but the two often work together to help patients.
Generally speaking, the best treatment period is before 7 years old, and 4-6 years old is the golden period of children's speech therapy.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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