What Type of Therapy Does My Child Need?

If you’re wondering what type of therapy your child needs, you’re not alone! As paediatric speech therapists, we work with children across many areas of development, including speech, language, literacy, social communication, and play. Each child is different, which means therapy is tailored to their unique strengths, challenges, and goals.

Key Areas of Speech Therapy

We support children in a variety of areas, including:

• Speech – Helping children pronounce sounds clearly and develop their speech skills.

• Language – Supporting both understanding (receptive language) and use of words and sentences (expressive language).

• Literacy – Assisting with early reading, writing, and spelling skills.

• Social Communication – Helping children understand and use social skills, such as taking turns, making eye contact, and engaging in conversations.

• Play – Encouraging developmentally appropriate play skills, which are important for learning and interacting with others.

  
  

Individualised Therapy for Every Child

Every child is unique, and so is their therapy! We work closely with families to create therapy plans that suit their child’s needs and their family’s goals. Therapy may take place:

• At home, where children are comfortable and can practise skills in their everyday environment.

• At school or childcare, where therapy can support their learning and social interactions.

• A mix of home, school, and childcare visits, depending on what works best for the child and family.

Sessions are typically weekly or fortnightly, but in some cases, we offer more intensive therapy, where sessions occur multiple times a week.

How Do We Determine the Right Therapy for Your Child?

Before starting therapy, we conduct an assessment to understand your child’s needs. This involves discussing your concerns, observing your child’s communication, and using specific assessment tools to identify areas for support. Based on this, we create an individualised therapy approach.

Finding the Right Approach

Therapists use different therapy methods depending on their training and expertise. Not every speech therapist specialises in every approach, so if a particular method interests you or if you feel your child needs something different, talk to your therapist. They may be able to adjust their approach or recommend another professional with experience in the therapy you’re seeking.

Next Steps

If you're unsure what type of therapy your child needs, the best step is to speak with a speech therapist. We can guide you through the assessment process and work together to find the right support for your child’s development.

Every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, learn, and engage with the world around them. Speech therapy is designed to help them do just that in a way that fits their needs and your family’s lifestyle.

Remember to be kind and share joy!

-            Allanah (speech therapist)