What Is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy aims to help 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 support children across all stages of growth. From toddlers beginning to speak to preschoolers strengthening their language and school-aged children working on speech, literacy, and social skills, we’re here to help.
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.
Whether your child is a late talker, struggling to be understood, or finding it hard to join conversations at school, we want to help.
Why Might My Child Need Speech Therapy?
While every child’s development is unique, speech and language abilities can sometimes be more challenging to build.
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.
Parents often wonder whether their child will just catch up in time, but difficulties with speech and language usually don’t resolve without help. This isn’t about your child not trying; it’s about giving them the right support to succeed.
Without the right support, children’s difficulties may grow over time. Expectations increase with age, in the classroom, with peers, and in daily routines. Early intervention is important because it aims to build strong foundations and lowers the risk of challenges becoming bigger obstacles later.
How Speech Therapy Works at Chatterbox
It’s normal for starting speech therapy to feel daunting when you don’t know what to expect. That’s why we keep things straightforward and supportive from day one.
1. Initial Assessment
To begin, we use a fun, play-based assessment that aims to help your child feel comfortable. It gives us a clear picture of their communication development, showing strengths and challenges so we can tailor the right support.
2. Setting Individual Goals
Once the assessment is complete, we collaborate with you to set practical and motivating goals that reflect what’s most important in your child’s everyday life, whether that’s joining friends in play, keeping up with classroom instructions, or communicating clearly 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
- Rely on evidence-based practices supported by up-to-date studies
- Build on your child’s strengths while supporting the areas that are tricky
- Support your child to develop greater confidence, stronger connections, and more independence
Our therapy sessions may use games, movement, chats, or hands-on experiences, whichever approach helps your child feel safe, engaged, and ready to learn. Sessions are always play-based and focused on real-world communication. We practise a neurodiversity-affirming model that encourages every child to develop confidence, connection, and independence in a way that embraces their individuality.
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.
Our work isn’t only with children, we partner with families, knowing that when parents feel supported, children benefit as well.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
Each session includes careful monitoring of your child’s progress, helping us tailor therapy in real time. This ensures the support stays relevant for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
Our therapy is grounded in a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming philosophy
- We follow a neurodiversity-affirming philosophy, building on each child’s strengths rather than focusing only on challenges
- Together with you, we create family-focused goals and adaptable therapy plans
- We create therapy that’s enjoyable, stimulating, and tailored specifically to your child
- We bring together support for multiple developmental areas in a single, convenient setting
- We provide flexible options for speech therapy, available both in clinic and online
- Our team is made up of skilled therapists who truly care about each child’s progress
All of this is included in what we do, but do you know the most important reason?
Chatterbox is chosen by families who want confidence that their child is receiving therapy from professionals who also truly care about them.
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.
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?
Based on the latest research and your child’s needs, your clinician will suggest a therapy schedule designed for the best outcomes.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Seeing the same speech pathologist every session allows your child to build a close, trusting connection. That consistency aims to provide a sense of safety and support, making therapy more meaningful.
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.
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:
- Support progress by attending sessions on a regular basis
- Keep therapy on track by working on practice tasks outside of sessions
- Reschedule appointments instead of cancelling whenever you can
- Make the most of therapy intensives during school holidays
- Be part of the sessions, because your involvement really counts
The steadier and more involved you are, the bigger the potential gains 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.
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 pathologist 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.
