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.
Our paediatric speech pathologists at Chatterbox provide support for children of every age. We assist toddlers as they find their first words, guide preschoolers as they expand their language, and help school-aged children navigate speech, literacy, and social communication.
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.
If your child is slow to develop speech, struggles with clarity, or feels left out of conversations at school, our team is ready to provide support.
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 support to build skills step by step, in a way that matches their individual learning style. That’s where speech therapy for children may make a real difference.
It’s natural to think your child might grow out of communication challenges, yet most of the time they won’t disappear by themselves. The issue isn’t effort, but the need for guided support to strengthen those tricky skills.
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
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 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
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
- 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
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
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
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 approach is neurodiversity-affirming and focused on building from each child’s strengths
- We follow a neurodiversity-affirming philosophy, building on each child’s strengths rather than focusing only on challenges
- We collaborate with you to set meaningful goals and flexible therapy plans that support your whole family
- Our sessions are fun, engaging, and shaped around what works best for your child
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- Families can choose between face-to-face or virtual speech therapy, depending on what works best
- Our therapists bring both experience and genuine care to every child and family we work with
These are all part of what we offer, but want to know the biggest 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?
Our goal-setting process starts with a conversation with you to uncover what matters most for your child. We then create smaller, achievable steps that support confidence and make success feel within reach.
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?
Your clinician will create a therapy schedule guided by evidence and tailored to what may work best 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.
In certain cases, like when a child is in the maintenance phase of stuttering therapy, sessions may be less frequent (fortnightly or monthly), but this isn’t typical.
At Chatterbox, sessions are available in 60 or 90 minute formats. We deliver weekly therapy consistent with research, with opportunities for extra sessions or intensive blocks, a great option for 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.
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?
All Chatterbox therapists are Speech Pathology Australia registered, experienced, and highly trained. Their passion lies in helping children thrive using proven, family-centred approaches.
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 collaborate, they pass on progress notes, strategies, and goals, so sessions remain connected regardless of who’s in the room. Exposure to different people may benefit your child by helping them to adapt and learn new skills.
How can I get the most out of our therapy sessions?
The best part? You can do a few simple things at home to boost your child’s therapy and keep their progress moving forward:
- Attend sessions consistently
- Help your child by completing practice activities between each therapy session
- Whenever you can, move sessions instead of cancelling to support steady progress
- Use holiday breaks as an opportunity for intensive therapy sessions
- Get engaged during therapy time, your input truly supports your child’s learning
Consistency and involvement from you may lead to the best outcomes 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.
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 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 therapists in Penrith primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Penrith, Emu Plains, Emu Heights, Glenmore Park, Cranebrook, Jamisontown, Glenbrook, and Blaxland, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.
