Speech Therapy for Kids near Ashfield

Developing your child’s communication skills.

Speech pathology that meets every child where they are

Communication is a human right. That’s why we support every child to communicate in ways that work for them, whether they need a little extra support, have developmental differences or disabilities, or are neurodivergent.

Every child who comes to Inner West Paediatrics works towards their own set of speech, communication and literacy goals, with our Ashfield speech pathologists using evidence-based therapy to support the journey.

Our speech pathology services

Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and intervention across speech, language, communication, voice, feeding and fluency all sit within our speech pathologists’ scope of practice.

Together with you and your child, we also work through challenges connected to speech sounds, reading, writing, eating, play, self-advocacy, and social participation and inclusion. The speech pathology services we offer include:

In-person speech therapy

Speech therapy tailored to your child, delivered in a warm and supportive setting.

Dedicated family advocates

Based in Ashfield but finding it hard to get to us? We can bring therapy to you.

We work with you

Wherever your child is in Australia, our online speech therapy service aims to make care easier to access.

Where our support is focused

Language and Communication

Helping your child develop their understanding and use of language, including vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and expressive communication and receptive language skills.

AAC Assessment and Intervention

Access to communication belongs to everyone. Where AAC may make a difference, our speech pathologists guide children and young people through Augmentative and Alternative Communication in a way that suits them, teaming up with families at every step to assess, trial and put the right system in place around each child’s strengths, preferences and needs.

Reading and Writing

Strong literacy opens doors, so we support children to grow the reading, writing, spelling and phonological awareness skills they draw on for learning and daily life. Where suitable, we may also collaborate with your child’s school team to reinforce their literacy development at home and at school.

Speech Sounds

Through our speech pathology support, children may develop the clear, confident speech that helps them be understood in day-to-day conversations.

Play

Children learn best through play, which is why our sessions are built around play-based activities shaped by your child’s interests and strengths. The result is a fun, engaging and low-pressure space where speech, language, communication and confidence may grow through meaningful interactions.

Stuttering (Fluency)

Our support for children who stutter centres on evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches that build communication confidence. Working alongside your child and family, we develop practical strategies for comfortable, confident communication in everyday settings.

Social Communication and Relationships

Home, school and the community are where children’s relationships take shape, and we support them to build meaningful connections across all three. Drawing on strengths-based, neuroaffirming approaches, we help children gain the skills and confidence to understand and express their feelings, advocate for their needs, and nurture positive relationships in ways that feel right for them.

Hanen Programs

It Takes Two to Talk®

The It Takes Two to Talk® program supports parents of children aged 0 to 5 who have been identified as having a language delay. In a small, supportive group, parents learn practical ways to weave language development into the natural rhythm of their day together.

The program teaches you how to:

Recognise your child’s stage and style of communication to identify goals and meaningful next steps
Identify what motivates your child to communicate
Use the strategies to encourage interaction and build communication confidence
Adjust everyday routines to help your child take turns back and forth in interactions
Support your child’s understanding and use of language through responsive communication strategies
Use play and book sharing to foster communication, interaction and language development

Get in touch at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to hear when registrations open for our next It Takes Two to Talk® program.

More than Words

The More Than Words program is for parents and caregivers of autistic children or children with social communication differences. Parents and caregivers learn specific, research-based strategies to support their child’s social communication and play skills, while also connecting and having more fun together.

‍Through the program, you will learn:

What motivates your child to communicate
How to use your knowledge about your child to set appropriate and realistic goals
How to make interactions with your child last longer
Tips for using pictures and print to help your child’s understanding
Strategies for how to talk so that your child understands you
Strategies for providing new play opportunities for your child

Get in touch at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to hear when registrations open for our next More Than Words group program.

Learning Language and Loving It®

Learning Language and Loving It® is an evidence-based program for early childhood educators and professionals who support young children. The program provides practical, responsive strategies to foster language, communication and early literacy through everyday interactions, play and routines. Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to:

Recognise each child’s stage and style of communication.
Create everyday opportunities that encourage language learning and participation.
Use responsive interaction strategies to support communication and extend conversations.
Adapt the learning environment and daily routines to promote communication.
Support children’s social communication and interactions with their peers.
Build language and early literacy skills through play, shared book reading and everyday experiences.

Get in touch at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to discuss a bespoke Learning Language and Loving It® package tailored to your education setting.

Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT)

At its core, PACT puts parents in the driving seat of an evidence-based therapy program suited to autistic children aged 2–11 and children with social communication differences. Along the way, parents and caregivers come to understand their child’s communication style more fully and strengthen daily interactions using responsive, enjoyable strategies that foster connection and engagement.

Through video feedback, our PACT-trained therapists support you to tune into your child’s unique communication style and respond to it with confidence. Over the course of the program, you’ll learn practical, evidence-based strategies that nurture communication by working with your child’s individual strengths, preferences and needs across your daily family routines and interactions.

Contact info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to find out when registrations open for our next PACT program.

Finding communication tricky for your child?

Every child’s communication journey is different, and wherever yours leads, our experienced team is here with evidence-based, family-centred care.

Our approach to therapy

Our speech pathologists use a wide range of therapy techniques personally tailored to suit you and your child’s needs. To give you the best support possible, our therapists are not only fully qualified and accredited but have extensive training and experience in the following:

- Hanen Programs® (It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words, Target Word, Talkability, Learning Language and Loving It)
- Key Word Sign
- SOS Feeding Approach
- The Lidcombe Program
- DIR Floortime Principles
- Learn to Play approach
- Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT)
- Responsive Feeding Approach
- Sounds~Write
- Meaningful Speech for Gestalt Language Processors
- Occupational Performance Coaching
- High and Low Tech AAC implementation
- DTTC and ReST

Supporting your child through speech pathology

Speech clarity

Our speech pathologists help children build clear, confident speech, making it easier for them to be understood in everyday conversations.

Language Development

We help children develop the language skills that let them understand others, express themselves and communicate with confidence.

Fluency

For children who stutter or have other differences in fluency, we draw on evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches to build communication confidence.

Social communication

Our support helps children develop the confidence and skills to communicate, connect and participate on their own terms.

Self-confidence and self-advocacy
By supporting your child’s communication in ways that work for them, speech pathology can help build confidence, foster meaningful connections and encourage participation in everyday life.

Speech therapy FAQs answered

What is speech pathology?

Speech pathology is concerned with assessing, diagnosing, managing and, where possible, preventing disorders of speech, language, voice and fluency.

What can a speech pathologist help with?

Speech pathology supports children to communicate in the ways that suit them best. Speech pathologists assess and offer evidence-based support across speech, language, communication, voice, fluency, literacy, feeding and swallowing, so children may take part in everyday life with greater confidence.

Can you support toddlers with speech therapy in Ashfield?

Yes. Our support spans children from infancy right through to 18 years, toddlers included, as they build their early communication, language and speech skills. If something about your toddler’s communication is on your mind, early intervention may make a meaningful impact.

Which conditions and disabilities do you work with?

We know children may need support with their communication and language skills for all sorts of reasons. Our speech pathologists work across a broad range of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, global developmental delay, ADHD, social-emotional difficulties, trauma, behavioural differences and other neurological disorders, and we also support children with articulation and stuttering difficulties.

Can speech pathology support my child's education?

Yes. Strong communication skills are foundational to learning. When appropriate, our speech-language pathologists work closely with teachers and educators to support your child’s progress both in and out of the classroom.

How long does speech pathology usually take?

There’s no single answer, because it depends on your child. Alongside you, our dedicated team keeps therapy plans flexible, revisiting and reshaping them as your child grows so the support on offer stays matched to their current needs.

What speech and occupational therapies do you provide?

Our paediatric speech therapists in Ashfield are highly skilled and pursue additional training across a range of areas to provide meaningful therapy. Some of the services and approaches we may offer include:

Hanen Programs® (It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words, Target Word, Talkability, Learning Language and Loving It)
DIR Floortime Principles
Learn to Play approach
Key Word Sign
Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT)
SOS Feeding Approach
Responsive Feeding Approach
The Lidcombe Program
Sounds~Write
Meaningful Speech for Gestalt Language Processors
Occupational Performance Coaching
High and Low Tech AAC assessment, trial and intervention
Handwriting Without Tears programs
Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP Approach)
Toileting interventions
Zones of Regulation
Alert Program
Regulation and sensory supports

What funding options are available?

To help the cost of speech pathology support, there are several funding options for therapy worth exploring, including the NDIS, Medicare and private health insurance.

Other ways we can help your child

Occupational Therapy

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Speech Pathology

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Feeding Therapy

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Group Programs

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Orofacial Therapy

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Key Worker Service

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Allied Health Assistants

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Support Work

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The Inner West Paediatrics difference

Support you can count on

We’ve supported over 5,000 children and families since 2015, and we bring that experience to every session.

Care across disciplines

With a range of services under one roof, we can support your child across multiple areas of need.

Flexible therapy delivery

Our team can support your child wherever works best, be it at home, school, childcare or online.

Give your child's communication a boost with speech therapy in Ashfield

Communication looks different for every child, and that’s exactly how it should be. Some children need just a little extra support, others have more complex needs, and our experienced speech pathologists are ready for both. By teaming up with your family and building on your child’s strengths, we provide practical, evidence-based support that helps them connect confidently day to day.