Support When It Matters with Kids’ Speech Therapy
By the time kids begin school, they should be able to be easily understood by teachers and peers and be well on their way to developing the skills needed to function at school and in their community.School-aged children are typically able to say most sounds correctly and follow complex instructions.
Understanding and being able to say all their sounds correctly is essential for learning phonics, a key component of early reading, writing, and spelling. Incorrect pronunciation can impact their reading development, ability to be understood by others, and could affect their social confidence and participation in the playground and classroom.
Speech pathology for kids provides the support kids need to ensure they don’t fall behind.
What Our Speech Therapy Programs for Kids Focus On
- Pronunciation & Articulation: Correcting sounds like “s” and “r” for clear, confident speech.
- Language Comprehension: Building skills to understand questions, stories, and classroom instructions.
- Language Expression: Helping kids form longer, grammatically correct sentences, use specific vocabulary, and improve storytelling skills.
- Fluency: Working with children who stutter to work on smooth speech strategies.
- Social Communication: Helping children connect with peers and form friendships, take turns, and join in on conversations.
Voice Therapy: Supporting kids with vocal strain and hoarseness to improve vocal function and overall voice production.
Speech Pathology for Kids Using the PROMPT®-Based Approach
Using PROMPT® training, play-based learning, and hands-on strategies, we help children practise sounds, words, and language in natural and motivating ways. The PROMPT®-based approach focuses on motor movements in the jaws, lips, and tongue to correctly form words. With a balanced focus on speech production and social-emotional skills, our kids’ speech therapy programs give children a more solid understanding of language aspects while strengthening their ability to connect with others.
Plus, our team is experienced in working with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools and children with additional needs, adapting sessions to suit their individual pace.
How to Know if Your Child Needs Speech Therapy
While it’s normal for kids to learn at different speeds, certain age groups have specific milestones to meet. Here are some signs to look out for.
- Struggles to say certain sounds, like “s”, “r”, or “l”.
- Has trouble talking about events and ideas or expressing how they feel.
- Unable to connect situations to reasons or functions. For example, “The car stopped because it’s a red light,” or “This scrunchie keeps my hair away.”
- They repeat sounds or get stuck on words.
- They struggle with building sentences of 6 or more words with correct grammar.
- Find it difficult to follow multi-step instructions such as “Take out your book, turn to page 10, and answer question 1.”
- Limited vocabulary and excessive use of vague words like things or stuff.
- They can’t tell stories in a logical sequence or constantly miss key details.
- Unable to understand opposites like up/down, wet/dry, big/little.
- Their teacher has raised concerns about speech, language, or social skills.
Seeing some signs but unsure if speech pathology for kids at our Sydney clinic is the right step? Our therapists can provide an assessment and dedicated support so your child’s communication skills are on the right track. We also offer speech therapy for adults for anyone facing ongoing challenges.
Why Families Choose Us for Speech Pathology for Kids in Sydney
- Experienced Team: PROMPT®-trained, with years of hands-on experience helping kids grow their communication skills.
- Individualised Plans: Therapy built around real-life goals tailored to your child’s needs, interests, and learning goals.
- Flexible Appointments: Choose from in-person sessions at our Randwick clinic or online speech therapy for kids via telehealth.
- Preschool Partnerships: We collaborate with local preschools to support communication development, offering free screenings for early intervention.
- NDIS Support: We offer NDIS speech therapy, working with self-managed and plan-managed participants, providing reports and tailored therapy plans.
- Welcoming, Relaxed Space: Our clinic is pram-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and designed to feel warm and inviting so every patient feels at ease.
Helping Your Child Find Their Voice & Build Their Confidence
We understand that every parent wants the best for their child. It’s never too early or too late to seek professional support; set them up on the right foot with kids’ speech therapy. Book an assessment today. Our speech therapy Sydney therapists will create a plan that supports your child’s learning in every way.
Speech Therapy for Kids FAQs
When should I consult a speech pathologist about my child?
In summary, contact Eastside Speech Solutions and ask for your child to be
assessed if:
- You are worried about your child’s language comprehension, expression and/or understanding
- You think your child’s understanding is different from other children of the same age
- Your child stutters (no matter what their age)
- Your child’s voice sounds different from other children’s e.g it sounds hoarse
- Your child’s teacher expresses concern.
My child is in high school- could they still benefit from speech therapy help?
Read our blog about Young Adult Communication
Isn't it normal for some children not to say some sounds?
Can speech therapy really help with my child’s confidence at school?
Yes! Clear communication is essential to their self-esteem and confidence. Through our kids’ speech therapy program, we help children feel more comfortable expressing their ideas, asking questions, and participating in class discussions. As their speech improves, many children gain the confidence to participate in social activities and form stronger connections with their peers.
How can I support my child’s speech therapy at home?
Consistent practice at home is a big part of progress. We’ll show you simple, everyday strategies to support your child’s learning, like practising sounds during play, using visual cues, or reinforcing skills during reading time. Your involvement plays a huge part in making speech therapy for your kid effective.
Can speech pathology for kids help with learning difficulties like dyslexia?
Yes, while dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty, speech therapy can assist children with dyslexia. Speech pathology for kids who need literacy support could include learning about phonological awareness, sound-letter connections, and vocabulary, which are crucial for reading, writing, and spelling.
Does online speech therapy for kids work as well as in-person sessions?
Absolutely. Online speech therapy for kids offers the same level of personalised support as in-person sessions, with added convenience for families. Many kids love the engaging, interactive activities we use over video, and parents appreciate the flexibility to fit sessions into busy schedules.
