What Is Speech Therapy?
Through speech therapy, children learn to strengthen the skills that allow them to communicate, connect, and grow. The ability to both express themselves and comprehend others fosters meaningful relationships, builds resilience, and encourages participation in learning and daily activities.
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 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.
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?
While every child’s development is unique, speech and language abilities can sometimes be more challenging to build.
Not all children pick up speech and language through daily experiences alone. Many need targeted support that may help them develop step by step, tailored to how they learn best. This is where children’s speech therapy could be life-changing.
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.
Delays without support may mean a widening gap as demands grow at school, in friendships, and in everyday situations. That’s why early intervention is vital; it aims to provide the foundation for success and prevents current challenges from holding a child back later.
How Speech Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Taking the first step into speech therapy can feel challenging, but we make it easy to understand and reassuring from the very beginning.
1. Initial Assessment
The first step is a relaxed, play-based assessment where we get to know your child. This helps us gain insight into their communication abilities, highlight what they do well, and understand the challenges they face.
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
Every child is unique, and their therapy should reflect that. At Chatterbox, our therapists:
- Tailor sessions to your child’s unique learning style and developmental stage
- Incorporate proven, research-backed methods into each session
- 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
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.
At Chatterbox, our commitment extends beyond children to families, recognising that your wellbeing directly supports your child’s progress.
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 work in a way that affirms neurodiversity and highlights every child’s strengths
- We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- Together with you, we create family-focused goals and adaptable therapy plans
- We ensure therapy is playful, motivating, and adapted to your child’s needs
- We provide support for a range of developmental needs in the one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online speech therapy options
- Our therapists bring both experience and genuine care to every child and family we work with
All of this is included in what we do, but do you know the most important reason?
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 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.
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 recommend a therapy schedule based on current research and what’s likely to be most beneficial for your child.
In most cases, therapy works best when it’s regular and consistent. The more chances children have to practise and strengthen their skills, the greater the progress tends to be. Ideally, this would involve several hours of therapy each week, though that isn’t always practical for families.
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?
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.
Your therapist will be able to give more guidance after spending time with your child, but remember that learning takes patience and consistency. There isn’t a quick or easy 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.
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
- Move appointments rather than cancel if possible
- Boost progress by joining holiday therapy intensives
- Join in during therapy sessions, your participation helps your child progress
The steadier and more involved you are, the bigger the potential gains for your child.
Do you offer online speech therapy for children?
Yes, we offer flexible options with both in-clinic appointments and online speech and occupational therapy sessions. Online sessions work well for busy families, children who feel secure at home, or those based in rural or remote 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.
Funding support is available in a range of forms to assist with therapy costs. 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 primary clinics in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith are designed for ease of access, with friendly administration staff on hand to support you and your family. All locations offer free parking, providing you with a stress-free transition into assessments or therapy sessions.
While our speech pathologists in Parramatta primarily help people from surrounding suburbs including Parramatta, Rosehill, Westmead, Harris Park, Rydalmere, Merrylands, Granville, Auburn, Newington, Wentworthville, Northmead, Oatlands, Lidcombe, and Guildford, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.
