What is Speech and Language Therapy?

Speech and language therapy aims to improve a child's speech, language and communication skills. It may focus on one or more areas such as speech production (making sounds clearly), understanding language, linking words together to form sentences, speaking fluently or social skills.

How do I know if my child needs Speech and Language Therapy?

You may have noticed that your child is slower to start talking or not as confident at communicating as other children. You may have difficulty understanding what your child says or have noticed that they are stuttering. Your child's Teacher or G.P. may have recommended a speech and language assessment. In my blog I have included some general guidelines on what to expect in terms of speech and language development in the first few years . We are happy to talk to you about your concerns to help you to decide if a Speech and Language Therapy assessment is right for your child.

How long do sessions last?

A standard assessment session lasts one hour. One and a half hours may be needed for a complex assessment. Therapy sessions usually last 45 minutes.

Where do sessions take place?

We provide therapy at our clinic room at Upper Harbour Primary school in Albany. We can also see children in school or at home for a small additional travel surcharge within the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast area.

How long will my child need to come for therapy?

This depends on the nature of the child's communication difficulty. Each individual child is different and the rate of progress varies. Therapy is adapted to meet the individual needs of each client.

What happens in a session?

The therapist will use variety of equipment, including toys and games for younger children, to achieve communication targets. Parents are encouraged to sit in on the sessions so that they can support the goals outside therapy sessions. Home practice is a vital part of therapy.

Is there a waiting list?

We aim to see your child within a week for assessment and can usually offer therapy sessions immediately. Please contact us directly for availability of sessions.