If you’re searching for speech therapy in Sydney or speech therapy on the Northern Beaches, finding the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. Parents often wonder whether their child needs speech therapy, what sessions involve, and how to choose the right speech pathologist.
Speech pathologists (also called speech therapists) support children’s communication development, including speech, language, fluency, social communication, and early literacy skills.
At LEAP Centre, we provide paediatric speech therapy assessments and ongoing therapy for children across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, helping children build confident, effective communication.
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy is provided by university-trained speech pathologists who assess and support children’s communication development.
Speech therapy may support children with:
- Speech sound disorders (pronunciation difficulties)
- Language delays or language disorders
- Stuttering (fluency differences)
- Social communication differences
- Early literacy development
- Voice differences
- Feeding and swallowing (in some clinics)
The goal of speech therapy is to help children communicate effectively, participate in everyday activities, and build communication confidence.
When should you consider speech therapy?
Every child develops at their own pace, but professional guidance can be helpful when communication is difficult or delayed.
You may consider a speech pathology assessment if your child:
- Is difficult for unfamiliar listeners to understand
- Is talking less than expected for their age
- Has difficulty following instructions
- Becomes frustrated when communicating
- Stutters or struggles to get words out
- Has difficulty interacting with peers
- Is finding early literacy skills challenging
Seeking advice early does not mean something is “wrong.” It simply helps families understand their child’s communication development and whether support would be beneficial.
What happens in speech therapy?
Speech therapy typically begins with a communication assessment to understand a child’s strengths, needs, and goals.
Following assessment, therapy may involve:
- Play-based learning activities
- Structured speech or language practice
- Parent coaching and home strategies
- Collaboration with educators when appropriate
For younger children, therapy often focuses on supporting communication within everyday interactions with caregivers.
Finding speech therapy on Sydney's Northern Beaches
Many families prefer speech therapy close to home, school, or daycare to make ongoing support easier to maintain.
LEAP Centre is a paediatric therapy clinic located in Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, supporting families across:
Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Freshwater, Belrose, Forestville, Narrabeen, and surrounding communities.
All speech pathologists at LEAP Centre are members of Speech Pathology Australia and use evidence-based therapy approaches tailored to each child.
Do you need a referral for speech therapy in Sydney?
No referral is required to see a speech pathologist in Australia.
Speech therapy may be funded through:
- NDIS
- Private health insurance
- Private payment
Families can contact a clinic directly to book an assessment.
Finding speech therapy near you
If you’re searching for speech therapy near you, speaking with a speech pathologist is a helpful first step. Even a short conversation can help you understand your child’s communication development and whether support is recommended.
Early support can help children build strong communication skills and confidence.
Speech therapy at LEAP Centre
LEAP Centre provides paediatric speech therapy for children across Sydney’s Northern Beaches from our clinic in Frenchs Forest.
Our team supports children with speech, language, fluency, and social communication using evidence-based approaches and family-centred care.
If you would like to learn more about speech therapy or book an assessment, our team is here to help.
Need support?
LEAP Centre is a paediatric speech therapy clinic located in Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
If you’re concerned about your child’s fluency, you can contact our team to book an assessment or speak with a speech pathologist.
Frequently asked questions
How long does speech therapy take?
This depends on your child’s needs and goals. Some children attend for a short period, while others benefit from longer-term support.
How often should my child attend speech therapy?
This varies depending on the type of communication difficulty, but many children attend weekly or fortnightly sessions.
What age should speech therapy start?
Speech therapy can begin in the toddler and preschool years. Early support can make communication easier and reduce frustration.
