What Is Speech Therapy?
Through speech therapy, children learn to strengthen the skills that allow them to communicate, connect, and grow. The ability to both express themselves and comprehend others fosters meaningful relationships, builds resilience, and encourages participation in learning and daily activities.
Chatterbox paediatric speech pathologists partner with children throughout their development. We nurture toddlers discovering language, preschoolers refining communication, and school-aged children facing challenges with speech, literacy, and social interaction.
Our qualified speech therapists aim to help children with:
- Understanding and Using Language
- Speech Clarity and Pronunciation
- Stuttering and Fluency
- Reading and Spelling (Literacy)
- Lisps
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
You can learn more about the conditions we address here.
We’re here to help children who are late to talk, who others have difficulty understanding, or who face challenges joining in with peers at school.
Why Might My Child Need Speech Therapy?
Every child develops at their own pace, but sometimes speech and language skills don’t come as easily.
While everyday interaction often helps, some children require more guidance to strengthen their skills in a way that suits their learning style. Speech therapy offers this focused support and may make a genuine difference.
Many parents hope their child will eventually outgrow speech or language difficulties, but often these challenges persist without help. It’s not a lack of effort; children simply need support to develop the skills they’re struggling with.
Delays without support may mean a widening gap as demands grow at school, in friendships, and in everyday situations. That’s why early intervention is vital; it aims to provide the foundation for success and prevents current challenges from holding a child back later.
How Speech Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Starting speech therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. Here’s how we make it simple and supportive from the very beginning.
1. Initial Assessment
Our process starts with a warm, play-focused assessment designed to make your child feel comfortable. It allows us to see their communication skills in action, recognise strengths, and note any areas where support is needed.
2. Setting Individual Goals
After learning more about your child, we’ll work together to design goals that are relevant, achievable, and meaningful to their everyday life, like engaging in play, managing school directions, or expressing themselves at home.
3. Fun, Personalised Therapy That’s Evidence-Based
No two children are the same, and therapy shouldn’t be either. At Chatterbox, our therapists:
- Shape each session around your child’s personal learning preferences and growth stage
- Incorporate proven, research-backed methods into each session
- Highlight and grow your child’s strengths, while guiding them through the skills they find harder
- Help your child grow in confidence, build meaningful connections, and gain independence
Therapy might look like games, movement, conversation, or hands-on activities, whatever helps your child engage and learn in a way that feels safe and enjoyable. Our sessions are play-based and engaging, designed to build real-world communication skills while honouring your child’s unique learning style. Everything we do is neurodiversity-affirming, so your child can feel supported to develop confidence, connection, and independence just as they are.
4. Family Support and Coaching
Because your involvement is key to progress, we provide coaching and practical tools you can apply at home, in the car, or during regular routines.
At Chatterbox, our commitment extends beyond children to families, recognising that your wellbeing directly supports your child’s progress.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
In every session, we monitor your child’s progress so we can adjust and respond right away. This keeps therapy practical and meaningful for your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming and focused on building from each child’s strengths
- We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- Together with you, we create family-focused goals and adaptable therapy plans
- Our sessions are fun, engaging, and shaped around what works best for your child
- Children can access help for many areas of development with us, without needing to go elsewhere
- We offer both face-to-face and online speech therapy options
- We’re a team of experienced therapists who genuinely care
While these are part of our services, the real reason stands out above them all.
Families come to Chatterbox for the reassurance that their child is supported by people who care as much as they do, not just by therapists delivering sessions.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
We begin by talking with you to understand your big-picture priorities for your child. Then, we shape these into smaller, achievable milestones that make progress clear, confidence stronger, and success possible.
When we design goals, we factor in your child’s age, development, and everyday life so the plan is meaningful, practical, and tailored to support their learning.
How many sessions will my child attend each week?
Drawing on current research, your clinician will recommend a therapy schedule that suits your child’s needs and supports progress.
Effective therapy usually relies on steady, regular input. Repeated practice gives children more opportunities to grow their skills and reach better outcomes. Ideally, this would be several hours a week, but we know that’s not always manageable for families.
In certain cases, like when a child is in the maintenance phase of stuttering therapy, sessions may be less frequent (fortnightly or monthly), but this isn’t typical.
Families at Chatterbox can select either 60 or 90 minute sessions. Our therapy is scheduled weekly to align with research, and we also offer additional weekly sessions plus intensive programs, which work well in school holiday breaks.
How long will my child need therapy?
There isn’t a single answer to how long therapy might continue, because it depends on individual factors like your child’s age, personality, learning style, developmental level, and diagnoses.
Your therapist will be able to give more guidance after spending time with your child, but remember that learning takes patience and consistency. There isn’t a quick or easy fix.
Who will be my child’s speech therapist?
Our team of therapists is fully qualified, highly experienced, and registered with Speech Pathology Australia. They care deeply about helping children develop and flourish with evidence-based, family-focused support.
Your child will work with the same speech pathologist each session, building familiarity and trust. This consistency may help them feel secure and understood, making therapy more personalised.
Because life doesn’t always run to plan, our team-based approach makes a difference. Should your clinician be away, or if you’d like to shift or add an appointment, another skilled clinician can step in so therapy continues smoothly and flexibly.
Since our team works hand in hand, your child’s goals and progress are always shared, making each session seamless even with a new therapist. Meeting different clinicians now and then may actually benefit your child, potentially helping them adapt, generalise skills, and build confidence across varied communication partners.
How can I get the most out of our therapy sessions?
Good news! There are straightforward strategies you can use to support your child’s therapy and help them keep building skills:
- Keep up with therapy by coming to sessions consistently
- Keep therapy on track by working on practice tasks outside of sessions
- Whenever you can, move sessions instead of cancelling to support steady progress
- Make the most of therapy intensives during school holidays
- Get involved during sessions — your input makes a difference
The steadier and more involved you are, the bigger the potential gains for your child.
Do you offer online speech therapy for children?
Yes! Families can choose between in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions, depending on what works best. Online sessions are ideal for busy households, kids who prefer home, or families in regional or rural locations.
What funding options are available?
There are a number of options to help cover therapy costs. You can learn more about funding options here.
Several options are available to help with the cost of therapy. You can find out and learn more about funding options here.
Is there a waiting list?
Good news! We currently have no waiting list, which means your child can likely get started straight away. Early support can make a big difference, and we know that delays can be frustrating. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to keep access to therapy as smooth and timely as possible.
Where are you located?
Our clinics are located in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith with a welcoming admin team ready to assist you and your family through each step. Free parking is available at all locations, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for assessments or therapy sessions.
While our speech therapists in Penrith primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Penrith, Emu Plains, Emu Heights, Glenmore Park, Cranebrook, Jamisontown, Glenbrook, and Blaxland, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.
