The end of the rainbow
It is with immense sadness that I share some very difficult news: Rainbow Speech Pathology will be closing. The last client sessions will be held on Friday 22 August 2025. Rainbow Speech Pathology will close on Thursday 28 August 2025.
This decision has not come lightly. The NDIS price guide recently released has included some major changes that have significantly impacted providers in our sector. Travel charges have been halved, and hourly rates for speech pathology have remained unchanged for six years, despite all other costs rising every year. For a small business like Rainbow Speech Pathology, with a physical clinic, employees on salaries and full-time admin/management, the unchanged hourly rate simply no longer covers the cost to deliver our services, and this model is no longer viable for us.
I started Rainbow Speech Pathology in 2018 when my son was six months old, with a single laptop, a car, and a dream: to offer high-quality, values-driven support to children and adults with complex disabilities. Over the past 7.5 years, the practice has grown from just myself seeing clients on a Saturday, into a large vibrant team of passionate, skilled clinicians, a therapy assistant, and dedicated admin and management staff. My goal was to create a flexible, meaningful workplace that could support both my family and create a more colourful life for people with disabilities. We’ve built something truly special. However, sadly, we cannot continue at this pace under the current system.
This chapter is not ending because I’ve lost passion, but because I need to protect my family, my staff, and the integrity of what Rainbow Speech Pathology stands for.
My incredibly skilled, hardworking team have been an unwavering support to me through this very difficult decision-making process. I have encouraged them to take steps that align with their own goals, values, and worth. Each team member will finish up as they find new opportunities. I will be taking a break in September 2025 to process and reflect. From around October 2025, I will return to Rainbow Speech Pathology in limited capacity, to support a small number of high-risk, complex clients.
Rainbow Speech Pathology is my baby, and I am so proud of everything we have achieved together in these past 7.5 years. I thank all clients for their support – for trusting us and following our Rainbow all these years. I am endlessly proud of what we’ve built, and deeply grateful for the relationships we’ve formed with every one of our clients and families.
I will always be an advocate for people with disabilities, that will never change. But it’s time for me to hop off this roller coaster now. Thank you for following us to the end of the Rainbow.
Calla Dolton
Founding Director and Senior Speech Pathologist
Rainbow Speech Pathology
30 June 2025
