An Allied Health Assistant (AHA) supports Speech Pathologists (SPs) in various tasks to help clients improve their communication skills. Often their role consists of assisting with therapy sessions, preparing materials, recording client progress & engaging with clients of their own. AHAs play a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness of speech pathology services and ensuring clients receive quality support. At Bite & Babble, we currently have 2 AHA's who are invaluable team members!
Qualifications
An AHA is studying a bachelor/master degree in Speech Pathology OR is qualified in Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance. AHA's participate in ongoing professional development days to stay updated on recent practices and research in Speech Pathology. While AHA's do not have a certfied practicing speech pathologist membership with Speech Pathology Australia, they are under the direct supervision of a senior Speech Pathologist. At Bite & Babble, our AHA's are supported with ongoing professional development and mentoring. This commitment enhances their skills and effectiveness to support the therapist and implement treatment plans under the guidance of the Speech Pathologist.
What does a session with an aha look like?
A session with an AHA typically involves:
Preparation: The AHA will prepare the room and resources specific to the clients' needs during a session. This frequently entails more than just “the room”; it may also include making games, setting up AAC, and creating resources for the session and homework. They will review their previous progress note to take on board any feedback from the Speech Pathologist.
Engagement: AHAs welcome the client and their family. Following the session, the AHA will communicate the client’s progress with the carer. Improvements and accomplishments from the assigned homework, as well as any challenges the client faced, might be included.
Therapy: The AHA will conduct the program that the Speech Pathologist has prepared based off the client’s assessment. During therapy, the AHA will observe the client's behaviour, progress, specific responses and will also provide feedback to the client.
Ending the session: Towards the end of the session the AHA will discuss to the parent/ caregiver the therapy goals targeted and achievements for the session as well as recap the clients success throughout. Following this, the AHA will provide the family with exercises and activities to complete at home to assist in reinforcing the skills gained from the session.
Communication with the Speech Pathologist: Following the session the AHA will briefly discuss with the SP how the session went overall. This may consist of any of the following: The goals targeted throughout, client's progress, homework provided and also any challenges which arose during the session.
How does an aha help a speech Pathologist?
An AHA provides SPs with many forms of support, which is crucial to speech therapy. AHAs organise materials, carry out therapy exercises, and communicate directly with clients to make sessions engaging and exciting.
AHAs keep track of their clients development, offer prompt feedback, and assist with applying skills to real-life situations. They establish a connection with all clients in clinic, creating a favourable therapy environment, and they let SPs know about their observations to make sure programs are coordinated. AHAs also educate families on home practice techniques, which improves client results overall and supports continuity of treatment.
Benefits of an aha in therapy
Access to therapy services!
Waitlists for SPs are so long, so working with an AHA will allow your child to access the crucial interim support they need!
AHAs generally have more flexibility with availability compared to a SP
AHAs can provide parent education for strategies and exercises to reinforce at home
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