Speech Therapy for Kids near Balmain

Nurturing the way your child communicates.

Speech pathology that meets every child where they are

Every child has the right to be heard. Our team supports children to find and use the communication style that suits them, from those needing a gentle bit of extra support to those with developmental differences, disabilities or neurodivergence.

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

Ways we support your child’s communication

From speech and language to communication, voice, feeding and fluency, our speech pathologists work across assessment, diagnosis, treatment and intervention.

Alongside you and your child, we also turn our attention to speech sounds, reading, writing, eating, play, self-advocacy, and social participation and inclusion. Our services span:

In-person speech therapy

Individualised speech therapy in an environment built to feel comfortable, friendly and supportive.

Dedicated family advocates

If you’re in Balmain, but can’t come to us, we can come to you.

We work with you

Our online speech therapy service aims to help children across Australia access care.

Our areas of focus

Language and Communication

We support children to build the language skills they rely on every day, including vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and both expressive and receptive communication.

AAC Assessment and Intervention

Everyone deserves access to communication. We support children and young people to explore and use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) when it can help them communicate more effectively. Our speech pathologists work closely with families to assess, trial and implement AAC systems that meet each child’s individual strengths, preferences and communication 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

Our team helps children work towards speech that’s clear and confident, so being understood in everyday conversations comes more easily.

Play

Play is at the heart of how children learn. Our therapy sessions use play-based activities that build on your child’s interests and strengths, creating a fun, engaging and low-pressure environment where they can develop speech, language, communication and confidence 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

We support children to build meaningful connections in the places that matter most to them and their families, including at home, school and in the community. Using strengths-based, neuroaffirming approaches, we help children develop the skills and confidence to understand and express their emotions, advocate for their needs, and build positive relationships in ways that work 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

Email us at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to learn when registrations open for the 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.

To arrange a bespoke Learning Language and Loving It® package for your education setting, email info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au.

Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT)

For autistic children aged 2–11 and children with social communication differences, PACT offers an evidence-based, parent-mediated approach to therapy. It guides parents and caregivers to read their child’s communication style more closely and build on everyday interactions with responsive, enjoyable strategies that deepen 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.

Email us at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to learn when registrations open for the next PACT program.

Finding communication tricky for your child?

Whatever your child’s communication journey looks like, our experienced team is here to support you with evidence-based, family-centred care.

The therapy techniques we use

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

How speech pathology may support your child

Speech clarity

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

Language Development

Our support helps children grow the language skills they draw on to understand others, share their own ideas and communicate with confidence.

Fluency

We help children who stutter or experience other fluency differences to find confidence in their communication, guided by evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches.

Social communication

We support children to build the skills and confidence to communicate, connect and participate in ways that work for them.

Self-confidence and self-advocacy
Speech pathology supports your child’s communication on their own terms, and in doing so may help grow confidence, strengthen meaningful connections and open the door to fuller participation in everyday life.

Answering your speech therapy questions

What does speech pathology involve?

At its core, speech pathology involves the assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language, voice and fluency disorders, along with their possible prevention.

What does a speech pathologist support?

Supporting children to communicate in ways that work for them sits at the heart of speech pathology. Speech pathologists assess and deliver evidence-based support across speech, language, communication, voice, fluency, literacy, feeding and swallowing, giving children the confidence to join in everyday life.

Do you offer toddler speech therapy in Balmain?

Yes, we do. From infancy through to 18 years, we support children at every stage, including toddlers developing their early communication, language and speech skills. If your toddler’s communication is something you’re wondering about, early intervention may help.

What conditions and disabilities can you support?

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 help my child's learning?

Yes. Learning rests on strong communication skills, and when appropriate, our speech-language pathologists work hand in hand with teachers and educators to support your child’s progress both inside and outside the classroom.

How long will my child be in speech pathology?

Each child follows their own path. Our dedicated team reviews progress regularly and, in partnership with you, shapes therapy plans around your child’s growth and development, so support may always reflect where they are right now.

What types of speech and occupational therapy do you offer?

In Balmain, our paediatric speech therapists bring a high level of skill and ongoing training across many areas to make therapy meaningful. Among the services and approaches we may offer are:

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?

There are several funding options for therapy that may help cover the cost of speech pathology support, including 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 approach

Reliable support

With more than 5,000 children and families supported since 2015, we bring years of experience to each and every session.

Care under one roof

Having a variety of services in the one place means we can support your child across many different areas of need.

Flexible ways to access therapy

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

Help your child communicate with speech therapy in Balmain

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.