Autism Support St Marys | Speech & Occupational Therapy

What is Autism

Autism is a developmental difference that shapes how people perceive, process, and respond to the world. It may influence communication, social skills, sensory experiences, interests, and ways of thinking. Each autistic person is unique, so there’s no single description that applies to all.

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 work alongside autistic children and their families to build on each child’s unique strengths and support areas where they may need extra help. Therapy might focus on the following, but are always tailored to 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 may also help build skills in understanding language, expressing ideas, and connecting socially in ways that feel natural and comfortable for the child. At Chatterbox, our therapists take a respectful and flexible approach, always working with each child’s unique communication profile and celebrating the many ways children can connect and be heard.

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 set goals by talking with you. Together, we’ll figure out your big goals: what matters most for you and your child. From there, we break things down into smaller, achievable steps so your child can build confidence and experience success along the way.

As we set goals, we carefully consider your child’s age, current stage, and daily needs, making sure the plan is realistic, personalised, and effective for their way of learning.

How many sessions will my child attend each week?

Your clinician will create a therapy schedule guided by evidence and tailored to what may work best 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.

We offer both 60-minute and 90-minute sessions at Chatterbox. Weekly therapy is our standard, guided by research, and families can also access extra weekly sessions or intensive programs, ideal during the school holiday period.

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.

Once your therapist gets to know your child, they’ll be able to provide a clearer sense of how therapy may unfold. It’s important to keep in mind that progress takes time; there’s no instant solution.

Who will be my child’s speech therapist?

All our therapists are qualified, experienced, and registered with Speech Pathology Australia. They’re passionate about helping children grow and thrive through evidence-based, family-friendly support.

Your child will see the same speech pathologist each session, someone who gets to know them well and builds a strong, trusting relationship over time. Consistency aims to help your child feel safe, supported, and understood, allowing us to tailor therapy in a way that truly works for them.

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.

Because our clinicians work closely together, they can share insights, strategies, and progress so every session feels connected, even with a new face in the room. In fact, seeing a different clinician now and then gives your child the opportunity to practise flexibility, generalise their skills, and work on their confidence with different communication partners, just like they need to do in the real world. Win-win!

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

The best part? You can do a few simple things at home to boost your child’s therapy and keep their progress moving forward:

Attend sessions consistently
Do the recommended practice tasks in between sessions to support progress
Reschedule appointments instead of cancelling whenever you can
Make the most of therapy intensives during school holidays
Get engaged during therapy time, your input truly supports your child’s learning

When you stay consistent and actively engaged, your child could make the greatest progress.

Do you offer online speech therapy for children?

Absolutely, we provide both in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions to fit your family’s schedule. Online therapy is especially helpful for families on the go, children who thrive at home, or those living further away.

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?

At each of our primary locations in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, a dedicated team is ready to assist you and your family, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. With free on-site parking available at every clinic, attending assessments or therapy sessions is made easy and stress-free.

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.