Autism Support Werrington | Speech & Occupational Therapy

What is Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that influences how a person experiences and interacts with the world around them. It may affect communication, social interaction, thinking styles, sensory processing, and interests. Every autistic person is unique; there’s no one-size-fits-all description.

At Chatterbox, we view autism as a natural part of human diversity. We focus on understanding each child’s individual strengths, needs, and preferences, and we work alongside families to provide support that is respectful, empowering, and tailored to each child.

How can Chatterbox help?

At Chatterbox, our therapists partner with autistic children and their families to nurture each child’s strengths while providing support in areas where challenges may arise. Therapy goals may include the following, but are always personalised to suit the individual child:

Taking the Time to Understand

We make the effort to understand every child and their family, learning what’s important to them and setting goals that bring value to daily life at home, school, and in the wider community. Above all, we collaborate with families to ensure our support is respectful, practical, and empowering.

Speech Pathology And Autism

Speech therapy may help autistic children in diverse ways, tailored to each child’s strengths, needs, and preferred communication approach. While some children may work on developing speech, others may benefit from strategies such as visuals, gestures, or AAC to express themselves effectively.
Speech therapy aims to help children develop skills in comprehension, self-expression, and social connection, all in ways that feel authentic and comfortable to them. At Chatterbox, our therapists collaborate with each child, respecting their individual communication profile and valuing every way they connect and express themselves.

Occupational Therapy and Autism

Occupational therapy assists autistic children to participate more fully in daily life, like enjoying play, managing self-care, navigating emotions, and joining in at school. Therapists partner with children and families to explore sensory needs, develop regulation strategies, enhance play and motor skills, and build practical everyday skills. Therapy is directed by the child’s strengths and priorities, aiming to foster independence, confidence, and well-being. At Chatterbox, our OTs follow a respectful, compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming approach that celebrates each child’s unique way of being.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are therapy goals set?

We work with you to set meaningful goals by first identifying what’s most important for your child and family. Then we break those goals into smaller, practical steps, helping your child grow in confidence and celebrate success along the journey.

In creating goals, we take into account your child’s age, stage of development, and daily experiences to ensure the plan is practical, relevant, and suited to their learning style.

How many sessions will my child attend each week?

Your clinician will recommend a therapy schedule based on current research and what’s likely to be most beneficial for your child.

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.

There are a few therapies, such as the maintenance stage of stuttering treatment, that may only need less frequent sessions, fortnightly or monthly, though this is uncommon.

At Chatterbox, you can choose between 60-minute and 90-minute sessions. We provide weekly therapy based on research recommendations, with the flexibility to add extra weekly sessions or take part in intensives, which may be especially useful during school holidays.

How long will my child need therapy?

We would love to be able to provide an exact answer to this question; however, a number of factors come into play when discussing how long your child may attend therapy, such as your child’s age, personality, learning style, developmental level and diagnoses.

With time, your therapist can offer a more detailed idea of what therapy might look like. But progress requires patience, learning takes time, and there is no overnight solution.

Who will be my child’s speech therapist?

All Chatterbox therapists are Speech Pathology Australia registered, experienced, and highly trained. Their passion lies in helping children thrive using proven, family-centred approaches.

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.

Our clinicians collaborate closely, sharing strategies and progress so sessions stay consistent, even if another therapist steps in. Experiencing a new clinician from time to time may also help your child practise flexibility, strengthen generalisation, and gain confidence communicating with different people, just like in everyday life.

How can I get the most out of our therapy sessions?

The great news is that you can play an active role in helping your child make the most of therapy and continue moving ahead:

Keep up with therapy by coming to sessions consistently
Complete practice tasks between sessions
If possible, rebook appointments instead of cancelling to keep consistency
Use holiday breaks as an opportunity for intensive therapy sessions
Be part of the sessions, because your involvement really counts

Consistency and involvement from you may lead to the best outcomes for your child.

Do you offer online speech therapy for children?

That’s right! We provide speech and occupational therapy both in clinic and online , giving families choice and flexibility. Online therapy suits busy families, children who are most comfortable at home, and families living in remote or rural areas.

What funding options are available?

There are a number of options to help cover therapy costs. You can 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 main clinics are strategically located in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, each with an approachable admin team available to assist you and your family every step of the way. Free parking is offered at every location, making your experience for assessments or therapy smooth and convenient.

While our autism therapy services in Kingswood primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Kingswood, Cambridge Park, Werrington, Claremont Meadows, Jordan Springs, St Marys, Colyton, and St Clair, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.