Speech therapy can dramatically change a child’s academic journey, providing essential skills that impact every aspect of learning and socialising at school. For Melbourne parents concerned about their school-aged child’s communication development, accessing quality speech therapy is a crucial step toward unlocking their full potential in the classroom and beyond.

One in five Australian children starts school with a speech or language disorder, yet with proper intervention, most can develop the communication skills needed for academic success. Melbourne offers excellent speech therapy services through both public and private channels, with specialists who understand the unique challenges school-aged children face in educational settings. Supporting learning for children with needs is at the heart of these services, ensuring that each child receives personalised strategies to thrive academically and socially.

This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about speech therapy for school-aged children in Melbourne, from identifying common communication issues to finding a qualified speech pathologist who can make a meaningful difference in your child’s educational journey.

Common speech and language challenges affecting school-aged children

School-aged children may face several different communication challenges that can significantly impact their learning experience:

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Developmental Language Disorder affects approximately 7.5% of school-aged children and involves persistent difficulties with language acquisition and use. Children with DLD struggle to understand and/or use spoken language despite having typical non-verbal cognitive abilities.

In the classroom, DLD can manifest as:

• Difficulty following multi-step instructions


• Trouble retelling stories or explaining events in sequence


• Problems with pronouns, verb tenses, and grammatical markers


• Challenges with reading comprehension and written expression


• Reluctance to participate in class discussions

DLD is often hidden but has significant impacts on literacy development and academic performance across all subjects. Unlike more visible speech sound disorders, DLD may go unrecognised without proper assessment.

Speech sound disorders

Speech sound disorders include articulation disorders (difficulties with the physical production of speech sounds) and phonological disorders (difficulties with the speech sound system and sound patterns).

Signs of speech sound disorders in school-aged children include:

• Consistent substitution of one sound for another


• Difficulties with specific sound combinations


• Speech that is difficult for unfamiliar listeners to understand


• Hesitation to read aloud or speak in front of peers


• Frustration when not understood by others

Approximately 8-9% of school-aged children have articulation disorders, with prevalence decreasing with age. These disorders can significantly impact literacy development, particularly phonological awareness and spelling skills.

Stuttering

Stuttering affects approximately 1% of the school-aged population and is characterised by disruptions in the flow of speech. Children who stutter may repeat sounds or syllables, prolong sounds, or experience blocks where no sound comes out.

In educational settings, stuttering can lead to:

• Reluctance to participate in classroom discussions


• Difficulty giving oral presentations or reading aloud


• Increased anxiety in speaking situations


• Social challenges and potential bullying


• Academic performance issues if the child avoids speaking or asking for help

Other communication challenges

School-aged children may also experience:

• Childhood apraxia of speech: A neurological speech sound disorder affecting the planning and sequencing of movements needed for speech


• Auditory processing disorder: Difficulty recognising and interpreting sounds despite normal hearing


• Social communication difficulties: Problems with the social use of language, including understanding non-literal language and social cues


• Voice disorders: Abnormalities in pitch, volume, resonance, or vocal quality

How speech therapy benefits academic performance

The connection between speech and language skills and academic achievement is strongly supported by research. Children who receive appropriate speech therapy intervention show improvements across multiple areas:

Reading and writing skills

Phonological awareness skills, which are taught in speech therapy, are essential for learning to read and powerful predictors of reading success. Speech therapy helps improve:

• Phonemic awareness (identifying and manipulating sounds in words)


• Decoding abilities


• Spelling skills


• Reading comprehension


• Written expression

Children with developmental speech and language disorders are at higher risk for reading disabilities, making speech therapy intervention vital for literacy development.

Classroom participation and learning

Speech therapy enhances:

• Ability to follow classroom instructions


• Confidence in asking and answering questions


• Participation in group discussions


• Verbal explanation of concepts and ideas


• Speaking clearly enough to be understood by teachers and peers

Social and emotional wellbeing

Beyond academic benefits, speech therapy supports:

• Building stronger peer relationships


• Developing social communication skills


• Increasing confidence and self-esteem


• Reducing frustration and negative behaviours


• Improving emotional regulation in the classroom

Research from the Early Language in Victoria Study demonstrates that children with untreated language disorders show consistently poorer academic performance across all curriculum areas. However, with appropriate intervention, children with speech and language disorders can thrive in educational settings.

The assessment and intervention process

Understanding the speech therapy journey helps parents know what to expect when seeking support for their child.

Initial screening

The process typically begins when concerns about a child’s communication are raised. Initial screening may include:

• Preliminary consultations with speech pathologists


• Communication milestones screening


• Teacher and parent interviews to understand how communication difficulties manifest across different environments


• Hearing assessments to rule out hearing-related issues

In Melbourne, these initial screenings occur in various settings, including community health centres, private practices, and schools.

Comprehensive assessment

Following initial screening, speech pathologists use formal and informal assessment tools to evaluate a child’s communication abilities:

• Standardised assessments with Australian and New Zealand normative data, such as the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5)


• Conversational samples to analyse natural speech patterns


• Narrative samples to assess storytelling abilities


• Classroom observations to see how communication difficulties impact learning

This comprehensive assessment provides a clear picture of the child’s strengths and challenges, forming the basis for intervention planning.

Goal setting and intervention

Speech therapy goals are established collaboratively between speech pathologists, parents, and where appropriate, the child themselves. Therapy approaches are tailored to each child’s specific needs and may include:

• For speech sound disorders: Traditional articulation therapy, phonological process therapy, or multiple oppositions approach


• For language disorders: Explicit language instruction, narrative therapy, or metalinguistic approaches


• For stuttering: Fluency-shaping techniques or stuttering modification strategies


• For literacy support: Phonological awareness training or structured synthetic phonics programs like Sounds-Write

Progress monitoring

Speech pathologists systematically measure progress through:

• Periodic reassessment using standardised tools


• Regular data collection during therapy sessions


• Progress reports for parents and schools


• Collaboration with teachers to monitor classroom performance

What to look for in a qualified speech therapist

Finding the right speech therapist for your school-aged child is crucial for successful intervention.

Professional qualifications

In Australia, speech therapists (officially called speech pathologists) must have specific qualifications:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited university


• Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status from Speech Pathology Australia


• Working with Children Check for Victoria


• Adherence to the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia

You can verify a speech pathologist’s CPSP status through the “Find a Speech Pathologist” search function on the Speech Pathology Australia website.

Relevant experience

Look for speech pathologists with:

• Experience working specifically with school-aged children


• Expertise in your child’s particular communication challenges


• Understanding of the Australian curriculum and educational system


• Experience collaborating with schools and teachers

Therapeutic approach

Effective speech therapists should:

• Use evidence-based intervention approaches


• Tailor therapy to your child’s interests and needs


• Involve parents in the therapy process


• Collaborate with teachers and other professionals


• Provide home practice activities between sessions


• Regularly reassess and adjust goals as needed

Questions to ask

When selecting a speech therapist, consider asking:

• “What is your experience working with children who have similar challenges to my child?”


• “How will you assess my child’s communication skills?”


• “What therapy approaches do you use for these difficulties?”


• “How will you measure progress?”


• “How will you collaborate with my child’s teachers?”


• “What will be expected of us between sessions?”

Public vs private speech therapy services in Melbourne

Melbourne offers speech therapy services through both public and private channels, each with distinct characteristics.

Public services

Public speech therapy services are available through:

• Victorian Department of Education’s Student Support Services


• Community health centres


• Public hospitals

Advantages:

• Free or low-cost services


• Access to multidisciplinary teams


• Coordination with educational settings

Disadvantages:

• Long waiting lists (typically 4-6 months or longer)


• Limited ongoing therapy


• Often group-based rather than individual therapy


• Services may be assessment-focused with limited intervention


• Generally not available in secondary schools

The Victorian Government has allocated funding to improve speech pathology services in primary schools, with $8.2 million provided over four years (2018-2022) and the program extended to June 2023. However, there continues to be significant unmet need for support services for students with disabilities, including speech therapists.

Private services

Private speech therapy services in Melbourne include:

• Clinic-based services


• Mobile therapists who visit homes and schools


• Telehealth services


• University teaching clinics offering reduced fees

Advantages:

• Shorter waiting times (often 0-4 weeks)


• Individual therapy sessions tailored to the child’s needs


• Flexible scheduling and location options


• More intensive and ongoing intervention


• Greater parental choice in therapy approaches

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs


• Potential out-of-pocket expenses


• May not coordinate as closely with schools without deliberate effort

Funding options

Several funding options can help Melbourne families access speech therapy:

• Medicare: Chronic Disease Management Plan provides rebates for up to 5 sessions per calendar year


• Private health insurance: Many funds provide rebates for speech therapy services


• NDIS: For children with significant and permanent disabilities


• University clinics: Offering reduced fees (around $150 per hour)

At SLCN Speech Pathology, we provide comprehensive assessment and individualised therapy programs for children with all types of communication difficulties. Our Melbourne-based team specialises in supporting school-aged children with evidence-based interventions designed to improve both communication skills and academic outcomes.

The educational impact of untreated speech and language disorders

Without appropriate intervention, speech and language disorders can have significant consequences for a child’s educational journey.

Short-term academic consequences

Untreated speech and language disorders create immediate barriers to learning:

• Reduced classroom participation and engagement


• Difficulty following verbal instructions


• Challenges with early literacy development


• Behaviours that may be misinterpreted as defiance or inattention


• Frustration and anxiety in communication situations

Long-term educational trajectory

Research shows that untreated speech and language disorders lead to:

• Persistent academic underachievement across all subject areas


• Cumulative learning gaps as education becomes more complex


• Higher rates of school absenteeism and early school leaving


• Limited educational qualifications and reduced career opportunities

Social and emotional impacts

Beyond academic challenges, children with untreated communication disorders often experience:

• Social isolation and difficulty forming friendships


• Vulnerability to bullying and victimisation


• Low self-esteem and reduced confidence


• Higher rates of anxiety and depression


• Behavioural problems stemming from communication frustration

The evidence clearly demonstrates that early identification and intervention are crucial for minimising these negative outcomes. When speech and language disorders are addressed promptly, children have a significantly better chance of developing the communication skills necessary for educational success.

Creating a supportive environment for communication development

Parents and educators play vital roles in supporting children’s communication development alongside professional speech therapy.

For parents

• Engage in regular conversations with your child, giving them ample time to express themselves


• Read together daily, discussing the story and asking open-ended questions


• Practice speech therapy activities consistently at home as recommended by your speech pathologist


• Communicate regularly with your child’s teachers about their communication needs


• Create a low-pressure environment where your child feels comfortable communicating

For teachers

• Implement suggested classroom accommodations from the speech pathologist


• Use visual supports alongside verbal instructions


• Allow extra time for students with communication difficulties to process information and respond


• Create opportunities for successful communication experiences


• Maintain regular communication with parents and the speech pathologist

For schools

• Develop clear referral pathways for students with communication difficulties


• Provide professional development for teachers on supporting communication in classrooms


• Consider partnering with private speech pathology providers


• Implement whole-class language enrichment approaches to support all students

The team at SLCN Kids’ Speech Therapy works closely with both parents and educators to ensure a consistent approach to supporting each child’s communication development. Our collaborative approach ensures that strategies used in therapy are reinforced at home and school, maximising the benefits for each child.

Conclusion

Speech therapy for school-aged children is an essential intervention that can significantly impact academic success and wellbeing. By addressing communication difficulties early and effectively, children can develop the skills they need to thrive in educational settings and beyond.

Melbourne offers excellent speech therapy resources through both public and private channels, with qualified professionals who understand the unique challenges facing school-aged children with communication disorders. Whether your child is struggling with speech sounds, language comprehension, stuttering, or social communication, seeking professional assessment and intervention is the first step toward supporting their educational journey.

Remember that early intervention yields the best results, so if you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, don’t wait to seek professional advice. With the right support, children with speech and language disorders can overcome communication barriers and achieve their full academic potential.