What Is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy supports children in developing the communication skills needed to engage with others, learn effectively, and flourish. When children can share their thoughts and understand those around them, they feel more connected to the world. This confidence opens the door to friendships, emotional regulation, learning opportunities, and everyday participation.
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 experienced speech therapists support children in the following areas:
- 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.
If your child is taking longer to start talking, having trouble being understood, or finding it difficult to connect in conversations at school, we aim to support them.
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.
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.
Many parents hope their child will eventually outgrow speech or language difficulties, but often these challenges persist without help. It’s not a lack of effort; children simply need support to develop the skills they’re struggling with.
If support isn’t provided, the gap may become larger as children get older and demands rise at school, with friends, and in life. Early intervention aims to ensure children have the tools they need to thrive and may help prevent ongoing challenges from limiting them in the future.
How Speech Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Beginning speech therapy may seem overwhelming, particularly if you’re not sure what will happen. We make the process clear and supportive right from the start.
1. Initial Assessment
Our process starts with a warm, play-focused assessment designed to make your child feel comfortable. It allows us to see their communication skills in action, recognise strengths, and note any areas where support is needed.
2. Setting Individual Goals
After learning more about your child, we’ll work together to design goals that are relevant, achievable, and meaningful to their everyday life, like engaging in play, managing school directions, or expressing themselves 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
- Rely on evidence-based practices supported by up-to-date studies
- Focus on what your child does well, while giving extra help in the areas that are more challenging
- Help your child grow in confidence, build meaningful connections, and gain 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
We know parents are central to their child’s growth, so we offer guidance and easy-to-use strategies that fit into home life, car rides, and daily 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
We track your child’s progress each session, which allows us to respond to their needs in the moment. This ensures therapy remains relevant and achievable for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- Our approach is both strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming, meaning we value every child’s unique way of communicating and learning
- Our approach involves working alongside you to develop family-centred goals and therapy plans that can adapt as needed
- We create therapy that’s enjoyable, stimulating, and tailored specifically to your child
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- Speech therapy is available with us either face-to-face or via Telehealth, giving families choice and convenience
- We’re therapists with skill and heart, committed to making a real difference
While these are part of our services, the real reason stands out above them all.
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?
Together with you, we decide on the goals that matter most for your child. From there, we design step-by-step targets that are realistic and achievable, allowing your child to build confidence and enjoy progress.
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?
Therapy scheduling is guided by your clinician, who relies on research and experience to recommend what may be most beneficial for your child.
Effective therapy usually relies on steady, regular input. Repeated practice gives children more opportunities to grow their skills and reach better outcomes. Ideally, this would be several hours a week, but we know that’s not always manageable for families.
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, 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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
Life can be unpredictable, which is why having a connected team matters. If your clinician is unavailable, you need to reschedule or would like to add another session. We make it simple. Your child can see another qualified clinician, keeping therapy both 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 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?
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
- Complete practice tasks between sessions
- Whenever you can, move sessions instead of cancelling to support steady progress
- Boost progress by joining holiday therapy intensives
- 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.
There are different ways to make therapy more affordable. Discover the available 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, Kinsgwood, 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 speech pathologists in Oran Park primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Oran Park, Gledswood Hills, Gregory Hills, Harrington Park, Mount Annan, Currans Hill, Campbelltown, and Leppington, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.
