You Asked, We Answered: Speech Pathology FAQs
In our line of work, it’s common to get similar questions asked. We thought we’d share with you some of our most commonly asked questions. Who knows, you may see a question you’ve always wondered about on our list. Let’s take a look.
What are some ways we can include speech therapy goals into our regular routines?
You can weave speech therapy and language practice into everyday moments with no special materials needed! For example, you can talk about what you are doing while cooking and ask your child questions during play or encourage them to describe things they see on a walk. Even routines like brushing teeth or getting dressed can be opportunities to practice following directions, naming objects, or using new words. Frequent and meaningful exposure in everyday interactions helps skills to stick. Your speech pathologist can discuss specific home practice with you.
How long will therapy take?
It’s a very common (and important) question—and the honest answer is that it depends on a range of factors, including the person’s age, goals, diagnosis, and how consistently strategies are used between sessions.
Some areas of therapy have more defined timeframes. For example:
Speech sound errors (like lisps or difficulty with certain letters) often improve over a set number of sessions with regular practice.
Stuttering and voice therapy can also follow clearer treatment programs, particularly when caught early.
Other areas, such as language delays, social communication, or complex communication needs, can take longer and may be ongoing—especially if related to a lifelong condition or disability like autism, cerebral palsy, or developmental language disorder.
What matters most is that:
Goals are clear and meaningful, so progress is easy to track.
Therapy is individualised—we constantly assess what’s working and adapt our strategies as needed.
Improvements may look different for everyone—for one person, it may be saying new words, for another, it might be reduced frustration or better classroom participation.
Even if therapy is longer-term, the aim is always to build independence and confidence over time—so that the individual, and the people around them, have the tools they need to thrive.
What is the difference between speech and language?
Speech refers to the physical production of sounds. It includes:
Articulation – how clearly we produce speech sounds (e.g., saying “r” or “s”)
Phonology – the patterns of sounds in words (e.g., simplifying “spaghetti” to “getti”)
A speech difficulty might sound like unclear speech and mumbling.
Language is about meaning, vocabulary, and grammar. It includes:
Receptive language – understanding words, sentences, and instructions
Expressive language – using words, sentences, and grammar to communicate ideas
Pragmatic language – using language appropriately in social settings (e.g., taking turns, staying on topic)
Written language – reading and writing skills
A language difficulty might look like trouble following directions, forming sentences, or telling a story.
Is it normal for my child to still have trouble with speech at this age?
Parents often ask about age-appropriate milestones for speech sounds, language development, or social communication. It's completely understandable to wonder whether your child's communication is on track.
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general communication milestones that help guide expectations at different ages. You can view these milestones here: Communication Milestones – Speech Pathology Australia
Speech pathologists are trained to assess your child's speech, language, and communication skills and compare them with those of same-age peers. This helps determine whether your child is developing typically or may benefit from support. If you're unsure, an assessment can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Will my child grow out of it?
That’s a common (and valid!) question. While some children do outgrow early delays, many benefit from early support—especially when there are signs of ongoing difficulty.
Early intervention is key. Research shows that children who receive support early often experience better academic, social, and emotional outcomes in the long term (Curtis et al., 2017). For example:
Clear speech sounds are important for learning to read and spell. If a child has trouble saying certain sounds, it can affect how they connect letters to sounds—making reading and writing harder and impacting how they participate at school.
For stuttering, there’s a critical window where recovery is achievable. If stuttering isn’t addressed early, it can become lifelong and harder to manage over time.
Late talkers – children who are slow to start using words—may struggle to express themselves, which can lead to frustration and missed opportunities to connect with others. Early intervention helps build strong language skills, which are essential for both academic learning and forming friendships. Language is the foundation for understanding instructions, asking questions, sharing ideas, and participating fully at school and in social settings.
Every child is different, but getting support early gives them the best chance to thrive.
Curtis, P. R., Kaiser, A. P., Estabrook, R., & Roberts, M. Y. (2019). The longitudinal effects of early language intervention on children’s problem behaviours. Child Development, 90(2), 576–592. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12942 .
How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
If you're unsure whether your child might need speech therapy, here are some signs to look out for:
Is hard to understand for their age
Has trouble following directions
Struggles to express themselves
Gets frustrated when communicating
Stutters or has a hoarse voice
Has trouble with reading or writing
If you have concerns, it’s a good idea to speak with a speech pathologist—they can help you decide whether an assessment is the right next step.
Do you only work with kids?
Nope! Speech pathologists (SLPs) also work with adults who have communication or swallowing difficulties related to a wide range of causes, such as:
Vocal strain or fatigue, especially in people who rely on their voice for work (e.g. teachers, singers, call centre workers)
Lifelong conditions or disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability
Acquired brain injury, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, or a motor vehicle accident
Progressive neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or motor neurone disease
Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) that can occur due to illness or neurological changes
Speech or language difficulties related to hearing loss
Accent modification or support for clearer speech in a second language
Speech pathologists support communication, connection, and safe eating and drinking – at every age.
What causes speech and language delays?
Parents and caregivers often want to understand the why, which can range from hearing loss to neurodevelopmental conditions to no clear cause at all. It’s completely understandable for parents and caregivers to ask why a child is experiencing speech or language delays. The causes can vary widely and sometimes, there may be no clear reason at all.
Some common causes include:
Hearing loss – Even mild or temporary hearing loss (from frequent ear infections, for example) can impact how a child hears and learns sounds and words.
Neurodevelopmental conditions – Conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, or developmental language disorder (DLD) can affect how children understand and use language.
Genetic or family history – Children with a family history of speech, language, or learning difficulties may be more likely to experience delays.
Other developmental differences – These may include motor planning difficulties (e.g. childhood apraxia of speech), syndromes, or other medical conditions.
Environmental factors – While less common, limited exposure to rich, interactive language experiences can also play a role.
In many cases, though, there is no single identifiable cause. What matters most is recognising the delay early and providing the right support.
Do you give homework or things to practice at home?
Home practice is an important part of making progress in therapy. Most speech pathologists will give you simple activities, strategies, or handouts to use between sessions that match your child’s goals and fit into your daily routines.
These might include:
Fun games or repetition-based tasks to practise speech sounds
Tips for encouraging language during everyday moments like mealtimes or play
Short exercises to build communication confidence or fluency
Visual supports or key words to model at home
We’ll always aim to make home practice feel manageable and meaningful—not like extra schoolwork. Even just 5-10 minutes a day can make a big difference when it’s consistent and connected to real life.
If you have any other unanswered questions, please reach out to us.