Problem: writers use one shape for referrals and discharges — referrals that summarise without asking, discharges that request without handing over. Answer in brief: referrals argue (evidence toward a question); discharges transfer (status toward a plan). Master the two genres plus the apraxia pathway, and most speech-pathology cases resolve. This guide teaches both genres with a worked apraxia discharge, and OET Writing for Speech Pathologists — Course 3 trains referrals, discharges and specialist pathways across 15 topic sections.
Two genres: argue vs transfer
Referral: evidence arranged toward a question the recipient must answer — every paragraph builds the case for assessment, investigation or opinion. Discharge: status arranged toward a plan the recipient must continue — every paragraph equips ongoing care. Test your draft: cover the final paragraph — if the letter still asks something, it is a referral; if it still instructs, it is a discharge. Mixed drafts that do neither fail both.
Referral letters that argue
Order evidence by persuasiveness: the most routing-relevant finding first (red flags, then deficits, then context). Withhold nothing the question needs, omit everything it does not. Childhood referrals argue developmental need (milestone gaps with dates, impact on learning, prior assessments); adult neuro referrals argue diagnostic or placement questions. The final line is always interrogative in force, even when phrased politely.
Master both genres supervised? The full OET Writing for Speech Pathologists — Course 3 trains referral and discharge letters with specialist pathways including apraxia across 15 topic sections with 66 lessons and mock tests. Explore the course →
Discharge letters that transfer
Order by Monday-morning utility: current status first (what the child or adult does today), trajectory second (what changed under care, with measures), ongoing needs third (ranked), numbered actions last with owners and review dates. Therapy jargon translates to home and school language — “now uses 40 signs consistently at snack time” transfers; “expressive output improved” does not.
Worked example: apraxia discharge to GP
Fictional case, newly written: Leo Carter, 4, childhood apraxia of speech; six months of intensive therapy; now 30 intelligible words (from 5), combining two-word phrases with cues; understands age-appropriately; nursery supportive; parents trained in cueing; ongoing weekly therapy plus home programme.
Shape: handover purpose with diagnosis and interval. Today’s function with measures (30 words, two-word combinations, comprehension strength). Trajectory with the 5→30 gain. Needs ranked: continued weekly therapy, nursery liaison, review in six months. Actions: “Please support nursery liaison and re-refer if progress stalls; parents will bring the home-programme diary.” Transfer complete — roughly 175 words.
FAQs
Which measures persuade in apraxia letters?
Intelligible-word counts, phrase length, cueing level needed, comprehension status — dated pairs showing change. Standardised scores help if translated; raw change persuades regardless.
How much therapy terminology survives?
Minimal in GP discharges: translate everything to home/school observable. Specialist-to-specialist handovers keep terms; GP letters convert them.
What is in the course?
Fifteen topic sections on referral and discharge letters with specialist pathways including childhood apraxia, 66 lessons and 5 complete mock tests.
The matching course
OET Writing for Speech Pathologists — Course 3 separates the genres: referrals that argue, discharges that transfer, pathways including apraxia — 15 topic sections, 66 lessons, 5 mock tests. For letters that know their job, train here.
Sources and note
- OET Writing format per the official OET site: oet.com — Writing. Check current format guidance before the exam.
- Course details verified from its public staging page (read-only): 15 topic sections, 66 lessons, 5 mock tests.
- Case and letter lines are newly written and fictional; other valid structures exist.
Put this into practice
Compare these course outlines and choose the practice that matches your next goal.
