School places increasing demands on a child’s communication, language, literacy, attention, organisation, motor skills, emotional regulation and independence.
Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy for school-age children and teenagers from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney. Our therapists support students with individualised assessment and therapy based on their strengths, needs and everyday goals.
We work collaboratively with children, families, teachers and other professionals to develop practical strategies that support communication, learning, independence and participation at school, at home and in the community.
Speech Pathology for School-Age Children
Speech Pathology can support school-age children and teenagers who experience difficulties with communication, speech, language, literacy, fluency or social communication.
Our Speech Pathologists may support students with:
- speech sounds and speech clarity
- understanding and following instructions
- receptive and expressive language
- vocabulary and word finding
- sentence development and grammar
- reading and literacy
- written language
- social communication
- conversation skills
- stuttering and fluency
- functional communication
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
How Speech Pathology Can Support Learning
Communication and language skills are closely connected with learning and participation at school.
For example, a child who has difficulty understanding language may find classroom instructions challenging. A student with language or literacy difficulties may have difficulty reading, writing, learning new vocabulary or expressing their ideas.
Speech Pathology assessment can help identify a student’s communication strengths and areas of difficulty. Therapy can then focus on skills that are meaningful for their everyday learning and participation.
Occupational Therapy for School-Age Children
Occupational Therapy supports children to participate in the everyday activities that are important to them.
For school-age children, our Occupational Therapists may support:
- fine motor skills
- handwriting
- gross motor development
- sensory processing
- emotional regulation
- attention and participation
- executive functioning
- organisation and planning
- motor planning and coordination
- visual-motor skills
- self-care and independence
- classroom participation
Therapy may focus on skills needed to complete schoolwork, manage classroom routines, use equipment, organise belongings, regulate sensory needs or become more independent with everyday tasks.
Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy Assessments
An assessment helps our therapists understand a student’s strengths, difficulties and individual support needs.
Speech Pathology assessments may explore areas such as:
- speech sounds
- receptive and expressive language
- vocabulary
- literacy and reading
- written language
- social communication
- fluency and stuttering
- AAC
- functional communication
Occupational Therapy assessments may explore:
- fine and gross motor skills
- handwriting
- sensory processing
- emotional regulation
- attention and participation
- executive functioning
- motor planning
- coordination
- visual-motor skills
- independence and everyday activities
Following assessment, our therapists discuss the findings with families and provide recommendations based on the student’s individual needs and goals.
Individual Therapy for School-Age Students
Therapy is personalised rather than based simply on a child’s diagnosis, age or school year.
Goals may change over time as students develop and encounter new demands at primary school, high school and in everyday life.
Therapy may focus on developing skills while also identifying practical strategies, environmental supports and adjustments that can help the student participate more successfully.
Working With Families & Schools
Collaboration can be an important part of therapy.
With appropriate consent, our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists may communicate with teachers, learning support staff and other professionals involved in the student’s care.
This can help ensure strategies are practical and can be incorporated into everyday routines across home and school environments.
School Visits
Some students may also benefit from assessment, observation, consultation or therapy within their school environment.
A school visit gives the therapist an opportunity to understand how the student’s communication, sensory, motor, attention or learning needs affect participation in their everyday classroom environment.
[Learn more about Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy School Visits.]
When Should I Seek Support?
You may consider speaking with a Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist if your child is consistently experiencing difficulty with areas such as:
- speech or communication
- understanding or expressing language
- reading or writing
- social communication
- stuttering
- handwriting
- fine motor skills
- sensory processing
- emotional regulation
- attention
- organisation
- executive functioning
- coordination
- independence
- participation at school
You do not need to wait until difficulties become severe. An assessment can help identify your child’s strengths, understand areas of difficulty and determine whether therapy or other strategies may be appropriate.
School-Age Therapy in Belmore, Sydney
Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy for school-age children and teenagers from our clinic in Belmore.
We support families from Canterbury-Bankstown, Sydney’s Inner West and surrounding suburbs.
School visits and telehealth appointments may also be available where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Innerlink Therapy provide Speech Pathology for school-age children? Yes. Our Speech Pathologists provide assessment and therapy for school-age children and teenagers experiencing difficulties with speech, language, literacy, social communication, stuttering, AAC and functional communication.
Does Innerlink Therapy provide Occupational Therapy for school-age children? Yes. Our Occupational Therapists support areas including handwriting, fine motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, coordination, organisation and everyday participation.
Does my child need a diagnosis to receive therapy? Not necessarily. Therapy is based on the child’s individual strengths, difficulties and functional needs. Families can seek advice when they have concerns about their child’s communication, learning, motor skills, regulation or participation.
Can you work with my child’s school? Yes. With appropriate consent, therapists may collaborate with teachers and learning support staff or provide school-based observations, consultations and therapy where appropriate.
Can therapy help teenagers? Yes. Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy can support teenagers with communication, literacy, social communication, organisation, executive functioning, emotional regulation, independence and participation in everyday activities.
Does Innerlink Therapy provide NDIS-funded therapy? Innerlink Therapy is a registered NDIS provider. Eligible participants may access Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy when the service is consistent with their individual goals, plan and funding arrangements.