Speech Therapy for Children
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy (also known as speech pathology) is focused on assessing speech and language skills, and providing therapy and support for delays or identified disorders.
For children, speech pathologists can help with:
- Speech development – how clearly your child pronounces sounds and words
- Language skills – understanding and using words, sentences, and conversation
- Social communication – participating and enjoying different social situations
- Pre-literacy and literacy – developing the foundation skills for reading and writing
- Fluency – addressing stuttering or speech flow difficulties
- Confidence and independence – improving their ability to express themselves successfully and reduce frustration.
At TSH, all our speech pathologists are members of Speech Pathology Australia and are trained in paediatric communication development, with expertise in supporting children with hearing loss as well as those with typical hearing who have speech and language challenges.
What speech therapy services do TSH offer?
Our experienced speech pathologists work closely with families to create individualised treatment plans, focusing on enhancing communication skills and supporting overall development.
We use evidence-based practices and engaging, child-friendly activities to ensure effective and enjoyable therapy sessions.
TSH offers fee-for-service speech pathology assessments for children, with no referral needed. You may be eligible to use your NDIS plan, Medicare Care Plan, or private health (if speech is covered).
Book an Assessment
What our services include
- Individual sessions with the caregiver and child to coach the family on how to maximise speech and language learning in their daily routines at home.
- Formal and informal assessment of your child’s speech and language skills, including targeted assessment of specific concerns.
- Providing progress monitoring to measure improvement and adjust goals.
- Collaborating with parents or caregivers and consulting with outside agencies, such as day care assistants, and teachers.
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) diagnostic assessments.
Speech therapy services are available at our Wembley and Cockburn clinic locations, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate your family’s needs.
What are the signs of
speech & language delay?
Children develop communication skills at different rates, but certain signs may indicate your child could benefit from speech therapy support:
12-18 Months
- Uses few or no words
- Doesn’t point to objects when named
- Doesn’t appear to understand simple instructions
- Limited interaction with others
18 Months – 2 Years
- Vocabulary of fewer than 10 words
- Not combining two words together
- Not imitating new words or sounds
- Preference for gestures over vocalisations
2-3 Years
- Limited vocabulary growth
- Difficulty following two-step instructions
- Speech difficult for family members to understand
- Not engaging in simple conversations
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong hidden condition that causes difficulties with communicating and understanding .
When a child is struggling at home or in school, it is important to determine if language difficulties could be the reason behind this.
Why might my child need a DLD diagnostic assessment?
Early diagnosis opens the door to better outcomes. With the right support, children can communicate, connect and thrive – helping those with DLD stay engaged with learning and/or school.
You may consider an assessment if your child:
- Has difficulty learning new words or holding simple conversations
- Struggles to follow directions
- Makes frequent grammatical errors not expected for their age (e.g. “She kick ball” instead of “She kicked the ball”)
How is DLD diagnosed?
Developmental Language Disorder is diagnosed by a speech pathologist. Our qualified team specialises in supporting children’s communication.
A diagnosis is provided when:
- A comprehensive assessment shows challenges with language use and understanding across different contexts
- A child’s language skills are below what’s expected for their age
- These difficulties impact daily life (e.g. learning at school)
- No other diagnosis explains the communication challenges
Getting started with TSH speech therapy
Taking the first step toward supporting your child’s communication development is simple:
- Contact our friendly team at (08) 9387 9888 or through our contact form for an initial discussion and waitlist confirmation
- TSH will arrange an assessment
- You and your therapist can discuss support options
- Access our integrated support services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Speech is how we say sounds and words. It includes how we produce the sounds in words, how fluently we are able to speak, and using our voice appropriately.
Language refers to the words we understand and use, and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. This includes our vocabulary, ability to join words to form phrases and sentences, and grammar. As children get older, they also begin to join sentences to have a conversation and tell a story or explain something. This is called discourse.
Expressive language helps your child express their ideas, feelings and thoughts.
Receptive language helps your child understand instructions, language and words.
If you’re concerned about any aspect of your child’s communication development, trust your instincts. Early assessment can identify whether your child would benefit from support and prevent potential challenges from becoming more significant.
The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on your child’s specific needs, age, and the nature of their communication challenges. After the initial assessment, your speech pathologist will discuss recommendations to best support your child’s communication development.
Yes. TSH offer DLD diagnostic assessments with our speech pathologists. Enquire through our contact form.
Our speech pathologists are experts at creating engaging, play-based therapy experiences that children enjoy in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Family involvement is essential for effective therapy outcomes. We use a coaching model that empowers you to implement strategies in everyday situations, maximising your child’s progress. Your speech pathologist will provide clear guidance on how to support your child between sessions.
No referral is required for our speech therapy services. However, if you have a referral from your GP, healthcare provider, or specialist, please bring it to your appointment as it may be of assistance.
Our team can provide guidance on available options for your situation.
Did you know TSH has a communication and language program?
Talkabout is a therapeutic group program for children aged between 18 months and 6 years who are experiencing challenges with their speech and language development.
This specialist language program combines educational expertise with compassionate allied health services to support your child’s communication journey.
Learn MoreGot a question?
If you want to make an enquiry about a TSH service or program, please get in touch with our friendly team today. We also welcome enquiries from potential TSH partners.