What to Expect in a Child’s First Speech Therapy Session in Australia
- Daniella Curtano
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
If you're preparing for your child's first speech therapy session, you're not alone—and you're doing something wonderful for their communication journey. Whether you're attending a private practice, a community health service, or accessing services through the NDIS, many Australian parents feel uncertain about what to expect at that very first appointment. The good news? The first session is typically relaxed, supportive, and focused on understanding your child’s unique strengths and needs.
In this article, we'll walk you through what typically happens during a child’s first speech therapy session in Australia, how you can prepare, and what comes next.
Why Families Seek Speech Therapy
Children may be referred to a speech pathologist (also called a speech therapist) for many reasons, including:
Delays in starting to talk
Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
Problems understanding or using language
Stuttering or speech fluency issues
Social communication challenges (e.g. in autism)
Feeding or swallowing difficulties (especially in babies or toddlers)
In Australia, parents can access speech therapy services through private practices, community health centres, schools, or NDIS funding depending on their circumstances.
Before the Appointment: Intake and Background
Initial Forms and Parent Questionnaires
Before or during the first session, most clinics will ask you to complete an intake form or background questionnaire. This helps the speech pathologist get a sense of your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, current concerns, and your goals as a parent or caregiver.
Common questions may include:
When did your child start talking?
Do they struggle with certain sounds or words?
How do they communicate (e.g. gestures, pointing, words)?
Any hearing concerns or previous assessments?
Are they in childcare, kinder, or school?
Completing this thoroughly helps make the first session more productive.
What Happens During the First Session
Warm Welcome and Building Rapport
When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be welcomed by your speech pathologist, who will usually spend the first few minutes getting to know you and your child. Don’t be surprised if they get down to your child’s level, play with some toys, or engage in light conversation—this is all part of building rapport and helping your child feel safe and comfortable.
Parent Interview
While your child plays nearby, the therapist may ask you some follow-up questions about your child’s development, daily routines, strengths, and specific challenges. This is your opportunity to share concerns in more detail and clarify what you'd like from therapy.
If your child is older, they may be included in the conversation depending on their age and comfort.
Informal Assessment (Play-Based)
Next, the therapist will typically observe your child during play-based activities. These might include:
Playing with toys while observing language use
Looking at books together
Engaging in pretend play or structured games
Asking your child to follow directions or answer questions
This informal observation allows the therapist to get a sense of your child’s communication level across different areas: understanding (receptive language), speaking (expressive language), speech sounds, social communication, and sometimes early literacy.
For older children, some standardised assessments may be introduced to benchmark their language or speech skills compared to same-age peers.
Explaining What They Notice
Before the session ends, the therapist will usually give you initial feedback based on what they observed. This might include:
Whether there are clear areas of concern
What your child is doing well
Any early ideas about what therapy may focus on
They may also explain if further assessment is recommended (e.g. hearing, developmental paediatrician, or psychologist).
After the Session: Next Steps
Recommendations and Planning
Following the first session, the therapist will discuss:
Whether ongoing therapy is needed
What goals might be appropriate
How often therapy sessions should occur
Whether any referrals (e.g. audiology, OT, paediatrician) are needed
Tips for what you can do at home
They may provide a therapy plan or suggest a follow-up session to complete a full assessment.
Reports (if needed)
If you're accessing speech therapy through the NDIS or another funding body, you may receive a written report after the first session. This usually includes:
Background information
Observations and assessment results
Identified goals
Recommendations for intervention
Let your therapist know early if you require a report for funding or educational support.
Tips to Prepare Your Child for Their First Visit
Talk about the session ahead of time in positive, simple terms: “We’re going to meet someone who plays games and helps with talking.”
Bring a favourite toy or book if your child is shy or takes time to warm up.
Avoid scheduling when they’re tired or hungry—this helps them be at their best.
Bring any previous reports or referrals, if available.
Common Parent Concerns (And Reassurance)
“What if my child doesn’t talk during the session?” That’s okay! Therapists are trained to observe and interact with children in a variety of ways—even quiet or non-verbal children can share a lot through play and behaviour.
“What if I’ve waited too long to seek help?” It’s never too late to support your child’s communication. Early intervention is ideal, but children of all ages benefit from speech therapy.
“Will my child be diagnosed today?” The first session is typically not for diagnosis—it’s an opportunity to understand your child’s communication strengths and needs. If needed, referrals for further assessment can be made.
Final Thoughts
Your child’s first speech therapy session is the beginning of a journey—one that’s focused on building confidence, connection, and communication. It’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions as a parent, but you’ll find that speech therapy is a positive, strengths-based process.
Whether your child is working on their first words or refining their sounds for clearer speech, know that support is available, and your child is in good hands.
Need help getting started? If you live near Footscray in Melbourne, VIC and are looking for clinic or home/school based services, our friendly team of speech pathologists would love to meet you. We also offer telehealth services for clients who live further away. Contact us to have a chat or book an initial consultation and we look forward to supporting you on your communication journey.
