Language Therapy
Helping children understand, use and enjoy language
Language is the foundation for learning, social relationships and everyday communication. It allows children to understand what others are saying, express their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, tell stories and participate confidently at home, preschool and school.
At SLP Therapy & Me, we provide evidence-based, individualised language therapy to help children build strong communication skills that support learning, friendships and everyday life. Therapy is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, goals and interests, making learning engaging, practical and meaningful.
What are language difficulties?
Language difficulties occur when children have trouble understanding spoken language (receptive language), expressing themselves using words and sentences (expressive language), or both.
Some children may have a limited vocabulary, struggle to follow instructions, find it difficult to answer questions or have trouble putting their ideas into words. Others may speak in short sentences, have difficulty telling stories or misunderstand what people are saying.
While children develop language skills at different rates, ongoing language difficulties can affect confidence, learning, literacy and social interactions. An assessment can help determine whether your child’s language development is progressing as expected and whether therapy may be beneficial.
Signs your child may benefit from language therapy
You might notice that your child:
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has difficulty following instructions
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uses fewer words than expected for their age
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struggles to put sentences together
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has difficulty answering questions
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often says “I don’t know” or gives unrelated answers
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has trouble understanding what others are saying
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finds it difficult to tell stories or explain events
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becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
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has difficulty learning new vocabulary
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is finding language demands at preschool or school challenging
If you’re unsure whether your child’s language is developing typically, a language assessment can provide clarity and guidance.
Common language difficulties we support
Expressive Language
Expressive language refers to how children use words, sentences and grammar to communicate their thoughts, ideas and needs. Children with expressive language difficulties may have a limited vocabulary, use shorter sentences than expected or struggle to organise their ideas when speaking. Therapy focuses on building vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and confidence using language in everyday situations.
Receptive Language
Receptive language is a child’s ability to understand spoken language. Children may have difficulty following instructions, understanding questions, learning new concepts or processing information in busy environments. Therapy helps children strengthen listening and comprehension skills, making it easier to understand and respond to everyday communication.
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to understand and/or use language. It is one of the most common childhood developmental disorders, yet it is often misunderstood. Children with DLD may experience challenges with vocabulary, grammar, following instructions, storytelling, classroom learning and social communication. Therapy aims to build functional communication skills that support success at home, school and in everyday life.
Late Talkers
Some toddlers begin talking later than expected despite otherwise typical development. While many late talkers catch up naturally, others continue to experience language difficulties as they grow. Early assessment can help identify children who may benefit from additional support. Therapy focuses on developing early vocabulary, encouraging communication and supporting parents with practical strategies to use during everyday routines.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Some toddlers begin talking later than expected despite otherwise typical development. While many late talkers catch up naturally, others continue to experience language difficulties as they grow. Early assessment can help identify children who may benefit from additional support. Therapy focuses on developing early vocabulary, encouraging communication and supporting parents with practical strategies to use during everyday routines.
Following Instructions
Some toddlers begin talking later than expected despite otherwise typical development. While many late talkers catch up naturally, others continue to experience language difficulties as they grow. Early assessment can help identify children who may benefit from additional support. Therapy focuses on developing early vocabulary, encouraging communication and supporting parents with practical strategies to use during everyday routines.
Answering Questions
Answering questions is an important part of everyday communication and classroom participation. Some children find it difficult to answer WH questions (who, what, where, when, why and how) or provide responses that match what has been asked. Therapy helps children understand different question types, organise their responses and communicate their ideas with confidence.
Storytelling & Narrative Skills
Being able to tell stories and explain events is an important language skill that supports conversation, literacy and learning. Children with narrative difficulties may leave out important information, struggle to organise events in order or find it difficult to explain what happened. Therapy helps children develop storytelling skills, organise their ideas and communicate clearly in both conversation and written language.
What does a language assessment involve?
A language assessment is designed to understand how your child communicates, understands spoken language and uses language in everyday situations.
During the assessment, we may:
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observe your child’s communication during play and conversation
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assess understanding and use of language using standardised assessments
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evaluate vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure
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assess following instructions and comprehension
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discuss your child’s developmental history and communication concerns
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answer any questions you may have
Following the assessment, we’ll explain the results, discuss whether therapy is recommended and develop an individualised therapy plan if appropriate.
What does language therapy involve?
Every child’s communication profile is unique, so therapy is tailored to their individual strengths, goals and interests.
Sessions are play-based, engaging and evidence-based, using meaningful activities that encourage children to understand and use language in everyday situations.
Parents are an important part of the therapy process. We’ll provide practical strategies and activities that can be easily incorporated into daily routines, helping children practise new language skills beyond the therapy room.
Where appropriate, we also collaborate with educators and other professionals to support consistent communication across home, preschool and school environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child just a late talker?
Some children naturally begin talking later than others, while others may have an underlying language difficulty. A language assessment can help determine whether your child’s communication is developing as expected and whether additional support may be beneficial.
What's the difference between speech and language?
Speech refers to how we produce sounds and words, while language is how we understand and use words to communicate ideas. A child may have difficulties with speech, language or both.
Can language difficulties affect learning?
Yes. Language skills form the foundation for reading, writing, classroom learning and social interactions. Early support can help children develop the communication skills they need to participate confidently at preschool and school.
How long will my child need language therapy?
Every child progresses at their own pace. The length of therapy depends on your child’s strengths, goals, the nature of their language difficulties and opportunities to practise between sessions. After an assessment, I’ll discuss recommendations tailored to your child’s needs.
Can I help my child at home?
Absolutely. Parents play a vital role in language development. I’ll provide practical, evidence-based strategies that fit naturally into everyday routines, helping you support your child’s communication during play, reading, meals and daily conversations.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re concerned about your child’s language development or simply want reassurance that they’re progressing as expected, we’d love to help. Together, we can assess your child’s communication skills and develop an individualised therapy plan that supports confident communication, learning and participation in everyday life.