Autism Support Granville | 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 see autism as one of the many ways people experience the world. Our approach is centred on recognising each child’s unique abilities and needs, while partnering with families to offer support that is respectful, collaborative, and individually tailored.

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 spend time getting to know each child and their family, focusing on what truly matters to them, and designing goals that are relevant for their home, school, and community life. Most importantly, we work side by side with families so our support remains respectful, practical, and empowering.

Speech Pathology And Autism

Speech therapy aims to offer varied support for autistic children, shaped by their unique abilities, challenges, and ways of communicating. For some, sessions may build spoken language skills; for others, therapy may include visuals, gestures, or AAC to encourage successful communication.
Speech therapy aims to support children to strengthen their understanding of language, share their thoughts, and engage socially in ways that suit them best. At Chatterbox, our therapists use a flexible and respectful approach, working with each child’s unique style and celebrating diverse ways of communication.

Occupational Therapy and Autism

Occupational therapy supports autistic children to take part in the activities that matter most to them, such as play, self-care, emotional regulation, and school participation. Working together with families, therapists address sensory needs, build strategies for regulation, enhance motor and play development, and promote everyday life skills. Each program is shaped by the child’s own goals and interests, with an emphasis on independence, confidence, and well-being. At Chatterbox, our OTs practise with compassion and a neurodiversity-affirming approach, valuing every child’s unique perspective.

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.

Goal setting involves looking at your child’s age, developmental progress, and everyday routines so the plan is achievable, valuable, and aligned with how they learn.

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.

Therapies are generally most effective with frequent, consistent sessions. Each opportunity to practise helps children build on their skills and achieve stronger results. While the ideal might be multiple therapy hours every week, this isn’t realistic for every family.

Some therapies (like the maintenance phase of stuttering therapy) may require reduced intensity (e.g. fortnightly or monthly sessions), but these are the exception, not the rule.

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?

The length of time a child may attend therapy varies, influenced by things like age, developmental level, learning style, personality, and specific diagnoses, so there isn’t a simple answer for every child.

As your therapist learns more about your child, they can share a clearer picture of the journey ahead. Still, it’s vital to understand that therapy is a gradual process, not a quick fix.

Who will be my child’s speech therapist?

Our therapists are not only qualified and experienced, but also registered with Speech Pathology Australia. They’re committed to guiding children’s development with evidence-based strategies and supportive, family-focused care.

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.

We know schedules aren’t always perfect, so our connected team is here to help. If your usual clinician can’t make it, or you want to move or add sessions, your child can see another qualified therapist, ensuring therapy stays on track.

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?

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
Follow through with practice activities at home between therapy visits
Whenever you can, move sessions instead of cancelling to support steady progress
Consider holiday intensives to give your child extra support during breaks
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?

Yes! We offer both in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions to suit your family’s needs. Online therapy is a great option for busy families, children who feel most comfortable at home, or those 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.

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 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 support therapists in Parramatta primarily help people from surrounding suburbs including Parramatta, Rosehill, Westmead, Harris Park, Rydalmere, Merrylands, Granville, Auburn, Newington, Wentworthville, Northmead, Oatlands, Lidcombe, and Guildford, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.