Reasons my child may require speech therapy:

Speech and language challenges can affect people at any stage of life, but they’re especially common in childhood. At The Speech Spot, our experienced team of speech therapists work closely with families to support a wide range of communication difficulties in children. If you’re unsure whether therapy is needed, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

Here’s a closer look at difficulties that benefit from speech therapy, and how our qualified team can help.

1. Speech sound disorders

Some children struggle to produce certain sounds correctly. This may include:

·       Articulation Disorders: When specific sounds (e.g., “r” or “s”) are mispronounced. For example, saying “s” with their tongue between their teeth (a lisp).

·       Phonological Disorders: Patterns of sound errors like saying “tat” instead of “cat” or simplifying complex words.

These challenges can make it hard for others to understand your child, leading to frustration or avoidance of speaking situations.

Our paediatric speech therapy team uses fun, engaging, and evidence-based strategies to help children improve speech clarity and feel more confident when communicating with others. Speech therapy is always tailored to your child’s developmental stage and individual goals.

2. Language delays and disorders

Some children may struggle to understand spoken instructions, follow conversations, or express themselves and their thoughts clearly using words and sentences. These issues fall under two types of language delays. Receptive language delay relates to trouble understanding words, instructions, or concepts, while expressive language delay means limited vocabulary, difficulty forming sentences, or challenges finding the right words to use.

Language delays can impact learning, emotional regulation, and social development. For example, a child who struggles to express themselves may act out due to frustration. Our language therapy approach is highly personalised. We take into account the child’s age and interests to build language skills in a supportive and playful way.

3. Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)

Childhood apraxia of speech is a rare motor planning disorder that makes it hard for children to coordinate the movements needed for speech. It’s not about muscle weakness, it’s about the brain’s ability to send the right signals to the muscles involved in speaking.

Children with CAS may struggle with longer or more complex words, make inconsistent sound errors, or be difficult to understand, especially when tired or upset.

With consistent support from a qualified speech pathologist, children with CAS can make meaningful progress. At The Speech Spot, we provide structured, repetitive therapy that builds the brain-muscle connection needed for clear, purposeful speech.

4. Stuttering

Stuttering often begins in childhood and can vary in severity from day to day. It may involve:

·       Repeating sounds or syllables (e.g., “b-b-ball”)

·       Prolonging sounds (e.g., “ssssun”)

·       Blocks or pauses when trying to speak

Without early support, stuttering can sometimes lead to anxiety or avoidance of speaking situations. Early intervention with a speech therapist can improve speech fluency and boost your child’s communication confidence.

5. Social communication differences

Some children communicate and connect in ways that are different from what’s considered typical. This can include things like interpreting facial expressions, taking turns in conversation, making or maintaining eye contact, or navigating social rules.

Children who are autistic, have ADHD, or experience developmental differences may approach social interaction in unique and valid ways. At The Speech Spot, we celebrate these differences while supporting children to develop the skills they need to connect, participate, and feel confident in the situations that matter to them.

Our therapy is collaborative and strengths-focused, using role-play, games, visual supports, and real-world practice to help children navigate social interactions in ways that feel authentic and comfortable for them.

6. Literacy difficulties

Some children may find learning to read, write, or spell more challenging than others. This can look like:

• Difficulty recognising letters and their sounds

• Trouble blending sounds together to read words

• Avoiding reading or writing tasks

• Spelling words as they sound rather than using correct patterns

• Struggling to understand what they’ve read

Literacy skills are closely linked to a child’s communication, confidence, and ability to learn across all school subjects. Reading and writing challenges can occur for many reasons, including speech and language delays, dyslexia, or other learning differences.

At The Speech Spot, we provide evidence-based literacy intervention that builds skills step-by-step, making reading and writing more achievable and enjoyable. We use engaging, multisensory techniques tailored to your child’s age, interests, and learning style, so they can develop the tools they need to read with confidence and express themselves clearly in writing.

How The Speech Spot can help

At The Speech Spot, we offer mobile paediatric speech therapy services across North-West Sydney. Our therapy sessions take place in familiar environments, such as your child’s home, preschool, or school, which helps them feel more comfortable and engaged.

Our team of mobile speech pathologists, led by clinic founder Rima Shasha, delivers compassionate, evidence-based support tailored to each child’s needs. Whether your child needs help with childhood apraxia, language therapy, social communication, or literacy, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

We proudly provide services to families in Hills District, Toongabbie, Dural, Penrith, Parramatta, Ryde, Strathfield, and surrounding areas.

If you're concerned about your child’s speech, language, or literacy development, it’s never too early (or too late) to seek guidance. Trust your instincts. Early support can make a big difference!

Contact The Speech Spot to speak with a mobile speech therapist and learn more about how we can help your child thrive.