Speech Pathology Week runs from August 23 to 29, with the aim of promoting the profession and the work done by Speech Pathologists for the 1.2 million Australians who have a communication disability.

Speech Pathologists provide assessment and therapy for a wide range of communication and feeding/swallowing disorders to enable those to reach their full potential.

Royal Far West's clinical manager of speech pathology Jessica McGrath services clients across rural and remote areas of Australia, including western NSW.

Ms McGrath is passionate about supporting rural children's health and said it amazing working with families and communities to provide a service that they are "desperate for."

The speech pathologist said only about 60 per cent of children with a communication disability receive the right care.

"In the areas we work with it is probably even less, just because of the lack of available services," Ms McGrath aded.

But RFW are aiming to bridge that gap by providing telehealth services for speech pathology for rural and remote clients.

Last year, 1097 children accessed RFW's Speech Therapy services and 660 children accessed Speech Pathology via video technology through the charity's Telecare for Kids program.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

Ms McGrath said by providing telehealth to rural and remote patients it removes the long distance they would have otherwise had to travel to access the Sydney service.

The speech pathologist said it was important to have the Speech Pathology Week awareness campaign because communication disorders are misunderstood or hidden.

"I'm passionate about educating other people to see it as a hidden disability... or just engage with someone on a different level and communicate," Ms McGrath said.

She said language disorders are difficult to spot but about two children in every classroom will be affected.

If not treated it can a lasting life-long impact once they are adults, affecting their work, relationships, behaviour and community engagement.

If you would like to find out more on the work that RFW do, please visit www.royalfarwest.org.au