Speech Therapy
Support with talking, understanding, speech sounds, social communication and AAC for children and teens up to 16.
Answers to the questions families ask us most about our services, bookings and fees, funding, our policies and what therapy is like. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our client care team is happy to help.
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What we offer, who we see and what to expect when you first come to see us.
We provide speech therapy and occupational therapy for children and adolescents, plus school holiday social groups. Our team delivers warm, evidence-based, play-centred therapy tailored to each child’s developmental needs.
We work with children from birth through to age 16, depending on their goals and needs.
No referral is required. Families can self-refer at any time. Some funding options, such as a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan for a Medicare rebate, do need a referral.
Your first appointment is an initial assessment. Your therapist will:
We always allow time to answer questions and make sure you feel supported.
Most therapy sessions run for 45 minutes, plus 15 minutes of parent capacity building and 20 minutes for note-taking, set-up, pack-down and planning. Assessments may take longer.
Therapy frequency is based on your child’s goals and needs. Common options include weekly, fortnightly or monthly review sessions. Your therapist will recommend a plan after the initial assessment.
Yes. We encourage parents and caregivers to be involved. Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of therapy success.
Speech therapy (delivered by a speech pathologist) supports a child’s communication, language, speech sounds and, where needed, feeding skills. Occupational therapy (delivered by an occupational therapist) supports the practical skills children need for everyday life: fine motor control, sensory processing, self-care, emotional regulation and school readiness. Many children benefit from both, and our speech pathologists and occupational therapists work closely together on shared goals.
Every child develops at their own pace, but signs worth having assessed include limited vocabulary for their age, difficulty being understood by family or unfamiliar listeners, trouble following instructions or understanding language, stuttering, and challenges with social communication or play. You don’t need a diagnosis to book an assessment. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk it through. Read more about speech therapy.
Signs can include difficulty with fine motor tasks like holding a pencil or using scissors, sensitivity (or under-sensitivity) to noise, textures or movement, trouble with self-care tasks such as dressing or toileting, difficulty regulating emotions, or struggling to settle into school routines. An OT assessment can help identify what’s going on and how we can help. Read more about occupational therapy.
As a general guide, most children say their first words around 12 months, have 20–50 words by 18 months, are combining words into short phrases with 200+ words by age 2, and are moving to 3–4 word sentences by age 3. Every child is different and these are guides rather than rules. If your child isn’t tracking close to these milestones, an assessment can help identify whether extra support would help.
Yes. Our speech pathologists and occupational therapists have experience supporting autistic children and children with social communication and sensory processing needs, using individualised, strengths-based and play-based approaches. See speech therapy for neurodiverse children.
Yes. Our occupational therapists and speech pathologists work with children who have ADHD, supporting areas such as self-regulation, focus, fine motor skills and social communication as part of an individualised therapy plan.
Our speech pathologists are certified members of Speech Pathology Australia and our occupational therapists are registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), as required to practise in Australia. Our whole team engages in ongoing professional development. Meet our team.
It’s common for children to respond differently in a new environment. Our clinic uses structured routines, visual supports and consistent strategies that help children engage and follow instructions, and we’ll work with you to bring those same strategies into your home routines so progress carries over.
How to book, what it costs and how NDIS, Medicare and private health insurance can help.
You can submit an enquiry form on our website, call our team on (02) 9037 1163, or email our admin team. We’ll guide you through availability and next steps.
Our fees are aligned with industry standards for paediatric therapy. Fee information is provided upon enquiry.
Yes. Medicare rebates may apply if your child has an eligible referral, such as a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan or a referral under the complex neurodevelopmental (Item 135) pathway. Medicare rebates don’t cover the full session fee. Our Medicare page explains each pathway.
Yes, if your extras cover includes speech therapy or occupational therapy. Rebate amounts vary by insurer. See private health insurance.
The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families. If your child’s plan is NDIA-managed, please talk to us before you book and we’ll go through your options. Our NDIS funding page has more detail.
Capacity Building is an NDIS funding category designed to help participants build skills and independence. Speech therapy and occupational therapy are typically funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. If your child’s plan includes this funding, we can work within a self-managed or plan-managed plan. Speak with your plan manager or support coordinator if you’re unsure what your plan covers.
Self-managed means your family pays providers directly and claims back from the NDIS. Plan-managed means a plan manager pays providers and manages claims on your behalf. NDIA-managed (agency-managed) means the NDIA pays providers directly. The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families, so if your child’s plan is NDIA-managed, please call us before you book. If you’re not sure how your plan is managed, your support coordinator or plan manager can confirm this for you.
Yes. Our therapists can prepare progress reports and, with your consent, share updates and strategies with your child’s school or support coordinator to help inform NDIS plan reviews. Just let your therapist know what you need and we’ll guide you through the process.
Our cancellation and illness policies, and our school holiday social groups.
We require a minimum of 48 hours’ (2 business days) notice. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice may incur a fee, as your appointment time is reserved exclusively for your child.
If your child is unwell, please reschedule as soon as possible. We do not see children who have had any of the following within the previous 24 hours:
If we can reschedule you during the same week (Monday to Friday), you won’t incur a cancellation fee.
Yes. Our school holiday social groups are small-group sessions designed to build on therapy goals in a fun, engaging format. Enquire with our team to find out what’s on offer and availability for the upcoming holidays.
How sessions work, how you’ll see progress and how we work with your child’s school.
Yes. Our therapy integrates play, connection and evidence-based techniques. Children learn best when they feel safe, supported and engaged.
Your therapist will:
Absolutely. With your permission, we can:
Collaboration ensures consistent support across settings.
Yes. These are some of the most common areas our occupational therapists support, alongside school readiness, emotional regulation and self-care skills like dressing and toileting. See fine motor and handwriting support and sensory processing.
Yes. Our speech pathologists support children who are non-speaking or minimally verbal using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including visual supports, sign and speech-generating devices, tailored to your child’s needs and goals.
No, you don’t need to wait. While conditions like glue ear can affect hearing and sound discrimination, underlying speech and language difficulties usually don’t resolve on their own once the ear issue is treated. Starting therapy early means your child doesn’t lose valuable time, and your therapist can adjust the approach as any hearing issues are managed.
Not usually. Difficulties present before school typically continue into the classroom without support. Starting therapy earlier gives your child the best chance to build the skills they need to learn, socialise and thrive once school begins.
Location, parking, the suburbs we serve and how long therapy usually takes.
Availability changes from week to week. We offer cancellation spots and will do our best to accommodate your preferred days and times. Get in touch for current availability.
Our purpose-built therapy clinic is at 7/185 Briens Road, Northmead NSW 2152. See how to find us.
Yes. Families have access to onsite or nearby parking.
Nothing is required. If relevant, please bring:
We’re based in Northmead and support families across Parramatta and the wider Western Sydney and Hills District region, including Westmead, Wentworthville, Granville, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Merrylands and more. See our Areas We Serve page for the complete list.
This varies from child to child and depends on their goals, how many areas we’re working on, session frequency and how much practice happens between sessions. Your therapist will review progress regularly and let you know how things are tracking.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy under one roof at our Northmead clinic.
Support with talking, understanding, speech sounds, social communication and AAC for children and teens up to 16.
Support with sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care, emotional regulation and school readiness.
How NDIS, Medicare and private health insurance can help with the cost of therapy.
Want to read more? Visit our blog for practical guides from our clinicians.
Our client care team is happy to talk it through, whether you’re ready to book or just exploring your options.
Send an enquiry or call us with your question and a little about your child.
We’ll explain availability, fees and the funding that may apply.
When you’re ready, we book an initial assessment at our Northmead clinic.