What Is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy helps children build the communication skills they need to connect, learn, and thrive. Being able to express themselves and understand others enables children to connect with their world. Their confidence grows, and so does their ability to make friends, manage emotions, participate in learning, and navigate daily life.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric speech pathologists work with children at every stage of development. We support toddlers learning to talk, preschoolers building their language skills, and school-aged children managing speech, language, literacy, and social communication challenges.
Our qualified speech therapists 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 treat here.
Whether your child is a late talker, struggling to be understood, or finding it hard to join conversations at school, we’re here to help.
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.
Some children need more than just everyday exposure, they need specialist support to build skills step by step, in a way that matches their individual learning style. That’s where speech therapy for children can make a real difference.
It’s common to wonder if your child will simply grow out of their difficulties, but in most cases, these challenges don’t go away on their own. Not because your child isn’t trying, but because they need support to build the skills they’re finding hard right now.
The concern is that without support, the gap can widen. As children grow, so do the expectations- at school, in friendships, and in everyday life. That’s why early intervention matters. It helps lay strong foundations early, giving your child the best chance to thrive and reducing the risk of those challenges becoming a barrier later on.
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
We begin with a friendly, play-based assessment to get to know your child. This helps us understand your child’s current communication skills, identify strengths and challenges, and figure out the best way to help.
2. Setting Individual Goals
After the assessment, we work with you to create goals that are meaningful, motivating, and focused on what matters most in your child’s daily life, like joining in at playtime, following instructions at school, or feeling understood 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:
- Tailor sessions to your child’s unique learning style and developmental stage
- Use evidence-based strategies backed by current research
- Build on your child’s strengths while supporting the areas that are tricky
- Focus on growing confidence, connection, and 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
You’re a vital part of your child’s progress. That’s why we coach and support you with practical strategies you can use at home, in the car, or during everyday routines.
We don’t just work with children, we commit to families. Because when you feel supported, your child does too.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
We track your child’s progress each session, which allows us to respond to their needs in the moment. This ensures therapy remains relevant, effective, and achievable for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- We work with you to set family-centred goals and flexible therapy plans
- We make therapy fun, engaging, and tailored to your child
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online speech therapy options
- We’re a team of experienced therapists who genuinely care
These are all part of what we offer, but want to know the biggest reason?
Families choose Chatterbox because they want to feel confident their child is in good hands- with people who don’t just deliver therapy, but genuinely care.
What’s the Next Step?
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.
When setting goals, we also consider your child’s age, developmental stage, and everyday needs to make sure the plan is realistic, meaningful, and tailored to how they learn best.
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 effective for your child.
For most therapies, that means regular, consistent input. The more opportunities a child has to practise and build on their skills, the better the outcomes. In an ideal world, this would mean multiple hours of therapy each week. But let’s face it, that’s not always 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, families have the option of 60 minute or 90 minute sessions. We offer weekly therapy sessions in line with the research, with options for additional weekly sessions and intensives (a great idea 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.
Your therapist can give you a clearer idea once they know your child better, but it’s important to remember that learning is a process, and it takes time. Unfortunately, there is no ‘quick fix’.
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 helps your child feel safe, supported, and understood, allowing us to tailor therapy in a way that truly works for them.
But life doesn’t always follow a perfect schedule, and that’s where being part of a connected team really helps. Whether your clinician is away, you need to move an appointment, or want to book an extra session, we’ve got your back. We offer families the option for their child to see another one of our qualified clinicians when needed, so therapy stays consistent and flexible.
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 build 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 good news? There are simple things you can do to help your child make the most of therapy and keep things moving forward:
- Attend sessions consistently
- Complete practice tasks between sessions
- Move appointments rather than cancel if possible
- Take advantage of holiday intensives
- Get involved during sessions — your input makes a difference
The more consistent and involved you can be, the more your child will benefit.
Do you offer online speech therapy for children?
Yes! We offer both in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions (link to online therapy) 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.
Is there a waiting list?
Good news! We currently have no waiting list, which means your child can 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 Speech Therapy 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.
