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.
Chatterbox paediatric speech pathologists partner with children throughout their development. We nurture toddlers discovering language, preschoolers refining communication, and school-aged children facing challenges with speech, literacy, and social interaction.
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.
We’re here to help children who are late to talk, who others have difficulty understanding, or who face challenges joining in with peers at school.
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.
For some children, simply being exposed to language isn’t enough, they may benefit from structured support that builds skills gradually and aligns with their unique way of learning. Speech therapy may provide that crucial guidance.
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 we’ve completed the assessment, we help you create targeted goals that are both motivating and connected to daily routines, including joining peers at play, following what teachers say, and feeling heard at home.
3. Fun, Personalised Therapy That’s Evidence-Based
No two children learn in the same way, so therapy must be individualised. At Chatterbox, our therapists:
- Customise therapy to match your child’s learning style and current developmental needs
- 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
In therapy, sessions may involve games, movement, conversations, or practical activities, all chosen to help your child engage in ways that feel comfortable and enjoyable. We keep our approach play-based and interactive, focusing on building everyday communication skills while respecting each child’s unique way of learning. Our work is neurodiversity-affirming, giving children space to grow in confidence, connection, and independence as themselves.
4. Family Support and Coaching
Your role in your child’s progress is crucial. That’s why we equip you with practical strategies to support learning at home, while travelling, or in everyday activities.
Our work isn’t only with children, we partner with families, knowing that when parents feel supported, children benefit as well.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
By tracking progress at each session, we adapt to your child’s needs as they arise. This approach makes therapy focused, achievable, and valuable for the whole family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- We practise in a neurodiversity-affirming way, focusing on strengths and respecting every child’s individual style of learning and connection
- 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
- Our team helps children grow across different areas of development, all under one roof
- Our services include speech therapy delivered in person or through online sessions
- Our team is made up of skilled therapists who truly care about each child’s progress
Yes, we offer all of this, but would you like to know the most important reason why?
Families come to Chatterbox for the reassurance that their child is supported by people who care as much as they do, not just by therapists delivering sessions.
What’s the Next Step?
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.
When we design goals, we factor in your child’s age, development, and everyday life so the plan is meaningful, practical, and tailored to support their learning.
How many sessions will my child attend each week?
Therapy scheduling is guided by your clinician, who relies on research and experience to recommend what may 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, for example the maintenance stage of stuttering intervention, may involve reduced intensity with fortnightly or monthly sessions, but this is rare rather than standard.
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?
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.
We ensure your child sees the same speech pathologist each session, so they may form a strong, trusting bond. With that consistency, your child may feel safe and supported, and therapy can be tailored more precisely to their needs.
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:
- Ensure therapy sessions are attended consistently to build momentum
- Keep therapy on track by working on practice tasks outside of sessions
- Reschedule appointments instead of cancelling whenever you can
- Use holiday breaks as an opportunity for intensive therapy sessions
- Get involved during sessions — your input makes a difference
Your child may benefit most when you’re consistent and take an active role in their therapy journey.
Do you offer online speech therapy for children?
Yes! Families can choose between in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions, depending on what works best. Online sessions are ideal for busy households, kids who prefer home, or families in regional or rural locations.
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?
With our primary clinics based in easily reachable locations across Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, you’ll find a friendly administration team on-site to help guide you and your family. Enjoy the convenience of free on-site parking at all clinics, making your visit for assessments or therapy as simple and stress-free as possible.
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.
