Speech Therapy for Kids near Summer Hill

Supporting your child to grow their communication skills.

Speech pathology for every child

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 Summer Hill 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

Personalised speech therapy services in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Dedicated family advocates

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

We work with you

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

Areas we can support your child with

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 matters for everyone. Our speech pathologists guide children and young people to explore and use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) when it may help them express themselves, collaborating closely with families to assess, trial and set up AAC systems that reflect each child’s strengths, preferences and communication needs.

Reading and Writing

We help children build the literacy skills that underpin learning and daily life, from reading and writing to spelling and phonological awareness. Where it makes sense, we may also join forces with your child’s school team so their literacy development is supported both at home and in the classroom.

Speech Sounds

Our speech pathology services support children to develop clear, confident speech so they can be understood more easily in everyday conversations.

Play

Learning comes naturally to children through play. We design our sessions around play-based activities that tap into your child’s interests and strengths, offering a fun, low-pressure and engaging setting where speech, language, communication and confidence develop through meaningful connection.

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®

Designed for parents of children from birth to 5 years who have been identified as having a language delay, the It Takes Two to Talk® program brings families together in a small group to learn practical, everyday strategies that support language development naturally throughout the day.

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 supports parents and caregivers of autistic children or children with social communication differences. Through it, they learn specific, research-based strategies to nurture their child’s social communication and play skills, all while building connection and sharing 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 the educators and professionals who work with young children every day. Through it, they gain practical, responsive strategies to encourage language, communication and early literacy within the natural flow of 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.

Email us at info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au to talk through a bespoke package for your education setting built around the Learning Language and Loving It® program.

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.

Is your child finding communication challenging?

Whatever shape your child’s communication journey takes, you’ll find an experienced team ready to support you 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

We support children to develop speech that’s clear and confident, so being understood in day-to-day conversations comes more naturally.

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 support children who stutter or experience other differences in fluency to communicate with confidence using evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches.

Social communication

We work with children to build the confidence and skills they need to communicate, connect and join in, in ways that feel right 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 is speech pathology?

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

What does a speech pathologist support?

Speech pathology supports children to communicate in ways that work for them. Speech pathologists assess and provide evidence-based support for speech, language, communication, voice, fluency, literacy, feeding and swallowing, helping children participate more confidently in everyday life.

Can you support toddlers with speech therapy in Summer Hill?

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.

What conditions and disabilities do 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.

Will speech pathology support my child at school?

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 will my child be in speech pathology?

No two children are the same. Our dedicated team keeps a close eye on your child’s progress and adjusts their therapy plan together with you as they grow, so the support they receive may always match where they are at that moment.

What speech and occupational therapies do you provide?

To make therapy meaningful, our Summer Hill paediatric speech therapists continually broaden their skills through additional training in many areas. The services and approaches we may draw on 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

How can I fund speech pathology support?

There are several funding options for therapy that may help cover the cost of speech pathology support, including NDIS, Medicare, and private health insurance.

What areas do you service?

We service areas around:

And more!

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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What sets Inner West Paediatrics apart

Dependable support

Since 2015, we’ve supported more than 5,000 children and families, and that experience shapes every session we run.

Joined-up care

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

Therapy delivered your way

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 Summer Hill

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.