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Speech & Language Therapy

Speech & Language Therapy

Helping children build strong communication skills for life.

Is your child not talking yet? Are they a late talker, difficult to understand, struggling to follow instructions, or finding it hard to express their thoughts and needs?

Communication helps children build relationships, learn, participate and develop confidence. We provide personalised speech and language therapy for children across the Central Coast, helping them connect, learn and thrive.

A young child and parent engaging with puppets during speech and language therapy
The difference

What is Speech & Language Therapy?

Many parents hear “speech” and “language” used together, but they refer to different aspects of communication. Some children have challenges with one, and many with both.

Language

How we understand and use words to communicate.

Following and understanding instructions
Learning new vocabulary
Understanding and answering questions
Expressing thoughts and ideas
Using sentences
Participating in conversations

Speech

How clearly sounds and words are produced.

Producing sounds correctly
Combining sounds into words
Speaking clearly enough to be understood
Coordinating the movements needed for speech
When to seek support

Signs Your Child May Benefit

Every child develops differently, but some signs may indicate additional support would be helpful.

Communication

Isn’t talking yet or is a late talker
Uses fewer words than expected
Isn’t combining words into short phrases
Has difficulty expressing wants and needs
Struggles to follow instructions
Appears to understand less than expected for their age

Speech

Is difficult to understand
Uses immature speech patterns
Produces sounds incorrectly
Leaves sounds out of words
Says words differently each time
Becomes frustrated when trying to speak

Social communication

Has difficulty taking turns in conversation
Struggles to engage with others
Finds it difficult to maintain attention during interactions
Has challenges participating in group activities

Behaviour & regulation

Frustration or emotional outbursts
Withdrawal from social situations
Reduced confidence
Behavioural challenges

When children can communicate more effectively, many of these challenges can improve.

Our approach

Our Speech & Language Therapy Approach

Child-led and play-based
Family-centred
Neuroaffirming and strengths-based
Evidence-informed
Individualised to your child’s goals and interests

We don’t focus on drills and repetition alone — we build communication through play, books, routines, social interaction and meaningful experiences.

What to expect

What Happens During Therapy?

1

Initial Assessment

A comprehensive first step where we:

Discuss your concerns and goals
Review developmental milestones
Observe communication, play and interaction
Assess speech, language, oral motor and feeding where appropriate
Develop an individualised therapy plan
2

Therapy Sessions

Tailored to your child’s age and needs, and may focus on:

Vocabulary and sentence building
Understanding language
Speech sound development
Social communication and listening
Oral motor development
Parent coaching and education
Related support

Supporting the Whole Child

Many children benefit from a combination of services. Depending on your child’s needs, we may integrate:

Early Intervention Speech Therapy

Supporting babies, toddlers and preschool children during the most important years of development.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech / Verbal Dyspraxia

Specialised support for children who know what they want to say but find it hard to plan and coordinate the movements needed for clear speech.

Autism & Neurodiversity Support

Neuroaffirming support focused on communication, connection, play, regulation and participation.

Parent Training & Education

Practical coaching to help parents support communication, feeding, emotional regulation and development at home.

Global Developmental Delay Support

Supporting children with delays across multiple areas — communication, play, feeding, social interaction and early learning.

Feeding Therapy

Supporting children who experience feeding difficulties, fussy eating, food refusal, gagging or stressful mealtimes.

Methods

Therapy Approaches We May Use

Depending on your child’s goals and communication profile, we may incorporate a range of evidence-based approaches.

PROMPT & DTTC

Specialised support for speech motor planning and clarity.

DIR®/Floortime

Engagement and social interaction through meaningful play.

Theraplay

Communication, confidence and connection through structured play.

NDT Principles

Support where posture, tone or movement impact communication or feeding.

Why early support

Why Early Support Matters

The earlier communication difficulties are identified and addressed, the greater the opportunity for positive outcomes.

Develop stronger communication skills
Build confidence
Improve social interaction
Reduce frustration
Strengthen school readiness skills
Participate more fully in everyday activities

Many children who receive early support make significant progress before starting school.

Why RTC

Why Families Choose RTC Speech Pathology

Individualised therapy plans
Family-centred care
Play-based and engaging sessions
Neuroaffirming support
Practical home strategies
Extensive training across multiple therapy approaches
Where we work

Areas We Support Across the Central Coast

Tumbi Umbi · Erina · Gosford · Terrigal · Tuggerah
Woy Woy · Wyong · Berkeley Vale · Killarney Vale · and surrounding communities

Telehealth appointments may also be available for families across NSW where appropriate.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If your child is not using words by around 18 months, has very limited words by age two, or is difficult to understand compared to other children their age, it’s worth seeking professional advice.

Children develop at different rates, but if your child is using significantly fewer words than expected or is not combining words by age two, an assessment can help determine whether support is needed.

Yes. When children struggle to communicate, they may experience frustration, emotional outbursts or behavioural challenges.

Absolutely. Parent involvement is one of the most important factors in helping children generalise communication skills into everyday life.

No. You can contact RTC Speech Pathology directly to arrange an assessment.

Get started

Concerned About Your Child’s Communication?

If your child isn’t talking yet, is difficult to understand, or you’re concerned about their communication development, we’re here to help. The earlier support begins, the more opportunities children have to connect, learn and thrive.