Every child learns at their own pace, but when your child is struggling with communication, you wonder whether your child could use some assistance. Speech therapy for kids assists children in developing effective speech and language, confidence, and friendships.

Are you a caregiver, parent, or NDIS plan manager in search of information? In this article, learn:

• What speech therapy for kids is and how it works
• The signs indicating a child could benefit from speech therapy
• How therapy helps kids make effective communications
• How speech therapy can be accessed through NDIS

So, let’s have a proper review of speech therapy and its life-changing impact on kids.

What is Speech Therapy for Kids?

Speech therapy for kids helps children with speech, language, and communication difficulties. A speech pathologist (speech therapist) assists kids in developing speech, language, and expression.

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

A paediatric speech pathologist diagnoses and treats children with speech and language difficulties, including:

• Speech delay: Difficulty producing words and forming sentences in the correct sequence
• Language delay: Difficulty with listening and communicating with language
• Stuttering: Repeated words, sounds, and pauses
• Social communication difficulty: Trouble following through with conversation, gesture, or emotion in communicating

Speech Therapy Techniques

Speech therapist uses a variety of techniques tailored to the child’s needs, for example:

• Therapy through play – Engaging activity for language
• Reading and storytelling – Guiding children towards knowing and using new words
• Rhymes and songs – Improved pronunciation and rhythmic speech
• Mouth strengthening – Building strong mouth muscles for proper speech

Mostly, speech therapy for kids is an exciting, hands-on activity that doesn’t even count as work. They just need a supportive environment to practice and become strong at communicating effectively.

How Do I Know My Kid Needs Speech Therapy?

It’s perfectly normal for kids to develop speech and language at their own pace, but sometimes, speech and language development can go off, and a little expert guidance can make a big impact. To know the right speech therapy for kids, check these common cues:

Speech & Language Milestones

While every child is unique, here are some general speech development milestones:

• By 12 months: Babbling, naming, and using simple soundings such as “mama” and “dada”
• By 2 years: Two-word sentences, pointing at a mentioned object, and following simple directions
• By 3 years: Short sentences, asking questions, and getting understood by family and adults
• By 4 years: Long sentences, simple tales, and getting understood most of the times

Red Flag for a Need for Speech Therapy

• Fewer vocabulary and having a problem with new word learning
• Trouble in creating a sentence and speaking in a meaningful way
• Trouble in pronouncing a sound (e.g., saying “wabbit” for “rabbit”)
• Stuttering and repetitive sounds
• Unable to respond to a question and follow a direction
• Difficulty with conversation and eye contact

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, consider consulting a speech pathologist. With early intervention, long-term difficulty with communicating can be averted and sets them up for school and social success.

How Speech Therapy Helps Kids With Communication 

Effective communication is key to a child’s social, academic, and emotional success. Consider speech therapy for kids to overcome speech and language barriers, giving children the confidence to express themselves clearly.

How Communication Ability is Enabled with Speech Therapy

• Clearer speech – Enables kids to speak clearly in a manner in which they can be heard.
• Building a Wider Vocab & Communication Ability – Empowers kids with new language and structures.
• Building Social Communication – Enables kids to have a conversation, understand body language, and convey feelings.
• Building Confidence – Breaks down frustration by providing kids with a mechanism to pass messages and have them heard.

Therapy Techniques Tailored for Each Child

A speech pathologist designs therapy sessions in relation to a child’s individual needs. Some general therapy techniques include:

• Role-playing and social narrative – How kids can have a conversation.
• Practising speech sound – Building mouth strength to speak effectively.
• Interactive – Engaging in games, songs, and puzzles to make therapy an enjoyment.

For kids who can access NDIS speech therapy, therapy sessions can be constructed to enable long-term development goals. Families can even participate in therapy activities at home, to consolidate improvements.

Speech Therapy and NDIS: How to Access

For many family groups in Australia, speech therapy for kids is facilitated through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). If your child has a developmental disorder, speech disorder, or any condition affecting speech and language, they may be eligible for NDIS-funded speech therapy.

How Does the NDIS Support Speech Therapy?

The NDIS provides funding for kids who need speech pathology under developmental support. This can include: 

• Assessments of speech and language
• One-on-one therapy sessions with a speech pathologist
• Group therapy sessions for social skill development
• School and in-house therapy for comfort
• Speech aids and picture boards for speech

Is My Child Qualified for NDIS Speech Therapy?

Your child may qualify for NDIS-funded speech therapy if they meet the following criteria:

• In case of a long-term and persistent impairment in communicating, 
• Speech and language disorder, and development disorder (e.g., apraxia, autism), and 
• Long-term therapy for developing a functional speech skill.

How Do I Add Speech Therapy to an NDIS Plan?

If your child is an NDIS recipient, follow these steps to access speech therapy:

1. Consult an NDIS planner or early childhood partner
2. Request a speech pathology assessment for therapy requirements
3. Set funding under the ‘Capacity Building Supports’ category
4. Choose a registered speech therapy provider, such as ‘AHP Disability and Home Care’
5. Book a first consultation and start therapy sessions

The NDIS speech therapy journey can become complicated, but AHP Disability and Home Care can assist families in securing the right support.

How Do I Get the Best Speech Therapy for Kids Near Me?

If you’re looking for speech therapy for children, choose a high-quality, personalised service that meets your child’s needs. Some key factors to pay attention to include:

• Qualifications & Experience

Choose a certified speech pathologist with pediatric speech therapy qualifications for kids. AHP Disability and Home Care utilises trained professionals with qualifications in working with kids at any level of capability.

• Involvement of family

Good therapy involves family, caregivers, and teachers. Look for a service that will:

• Involve family in therapy sessions and in-home strategies
• Offer parental guidance in supporting improvement at home
• Set individual therapy programmes according to your child’s requirements

• Accessible & Flexible Services

Based on your youngster’s needs, assess whether a service can deliver:

• In-home therapy – Ideal for family-first groups with a preference for in-home care
• In-school therapy – Allows kids to practise in a comfort zone
• Online speech therapy – Ideal for distance or rural family

Why Choose AHP Disability and Home Care?

AHP Disability and Home Care utilises NDIS-funded speech therapy for kids specifically crafted for each child’s level of development. With experienced speech pathologists working closely with families, our kids have the best chance for success.

(Woman doing speech therapy with kid)

Learn about our NDIS Speech Pathology Services and its impact on your child.

Early intervention in speech therapy for kids can make a big impact on a child’s speech, expression, and social contact with the environment.

Are you a parent, caregiver, or NDIS plan manager and searching for a reliable provider? AHP Disability and Home Care can help.

Get in touch with us today.

View our website for more information about the NDIS Services we provide.

Let’s work together to help your child communicate with confidence!