At NAPA Centre, we believe communication is a fundamental human right. Every child deserves a way to express themselves, make choices, build relationships, participate in daily life, and be understood by the people around them.
Our paediatric speech and language therapy services help children develop communication that is effective, accessible, and meaningful to them. Our speech-language pathologists work with children who have a wide range of communication needs related to speech production, motor speech, language and literacy development, social communication, and augmentative and alternative communication.
Therapy is individualised to each child’s strengths, needs, learning profile, and preferred ways of communicating. The goal is not simply to teach a child to perform isolated skills in therapy, but to expand their ability to communicate with greater autonomy, connection, and participation across the environments that matter to them.
What this means for your child
Sessions are built around your child’s interests and play, so practising new sounds and words feels natural. Progress shows up in everyday moments, like telling you about their day or joining in play with friends.
Our paediatric speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat children with communication diagnoses and areas of need that may include:
Communication is much more than producing spoken words or requesting preferred items. It allows a child to express needs and feelings, share ideas, ask questions, protest or refuse, make choices, develop relationships, participate socially, and influence what happens in their own life.
Our clinicians consider the whole child, including how motor abilities, sensory processing, cognition, vision, hearing, regulation, environmental supports, and communication-partner responses may influence communication development. This comprehensive perspective helps us identify the combination of supports that will allow each child to communicate as reliably and effectively as possible.
NAPA clinicians draw from a wide range of evidence-informed paediatric speech therapy approaches, techniques, and communication modalities. Rather than following one prescribed method, our teams thoughtfully integrate strategies based on each child’s communication profile, goals, motor and sensory abilities, learning needs, and response to treatment. Approaches available across our clinics may include:
Including low-tech AAC, speech-generating devices, aided language stimulation, and aided language modelling.
For childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and other motor speech disorders, incorporating principles of motor learning and approaches such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing and Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment.
Approaches including PROMPT to support speech-motor control and speech sound production.
For speech sound disorders, including cycles and phonological contrast approaches.
To support vocal quality, volume, pitch, breath support, and functional communication.
Including Enhanced Milieu Teaching, language modelling, expansion, and recasting.
Individualised language support for children who use echolalia or demonstrate a gestalt language processing profile.
Including principles associated with DIR®, DIRFloortime®, and Hanen approaches.
Interdisciplinary collaboration to support communication access, participation, and use across everyday environments.
Treatment is continually adapted as each child develops and as new strengths, needs, and communication priorities emerge.
Looking for ideas to use at home? Explore our language development activities and 18-month speech milestones articles.
Our speech-language pathologists work with children who have a wide range of communication needs, including speech and language delays, language disorders, social communication differences, motor speech disorders such as childhood apraxia of speech, speech sound disorders, voice and resonance disorders, stuttering, and complex communication needs.
No. Rather than following one prescribed method, our teams thoughtfully integrate evidence-informed strategies based on each child’s communication profile, goals, motor and sensory abilities, learning needs, and response to treatment.
Yes. Our speech-language pathologists support augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including low-tech AAC, speech-generating devices, aided language stimulation, and aided language modelling.
Yes. Our speech-language pathologists work with toddlers who are experiencing communication challenges, including toddlers who are still building their first words or just starting to put words together. Sessions are play-based and include coaching for parents, so you can support new words and communication at home. For ideas to try now, see our speech strategies for 18-month-olds.
Speech therapy for kids at NAPA is built around your child’s interests and play. Your child’s speech-language pathologist sets goals with your family, uses strategies matched to how your child learns, and coaches caregivers so new skills carry over at home and school. Children can attend weekly sessions or an intensive program.
NAPA’s Australian clinics are located in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Services and schedules vary by location, so our team will help you find the clinic that best fits your child’s plan.
Tell us about your child’s communication needs and we’ll help you find the right next step.
or call 1300 494 984
