Speech therapy for children and teenagers in Mitcham
Helping children communicate with greater confidence.
Experienced local speech pathologists supporting children with speech, language, literacy, social communication and stuttering.
Make an Enquiry
Call 8272 2862
Experienced clinicians
13–22 years’ experience
Local care
Based in Kingswood
Family centred
Parents are part of therapy
Connected
Working with schools & kindys
Can we help your child?
Children come to Sure Start Speech Pathology for many different reasons.
You might be wondering why your child isn’t talking as much as other children their age. Perhaps their speech is difficult to understand, they’ve started stuttering, or they’re struggling to find the words they want to say.
For older children, concerns might involve following instructions, expressing ideas, reading, spelling or navigating social communication.
Speech Sounds
Speech that is unclear, articulation difficulties and phonological disorders.
Language
Late talking, understanding language, vocabulary and expressing thoughts and ideas.
Stuttering
Assessment and treatment for childhood stuttering, including the Lidcombe Program.
Literacy
Reading, spelling, phonological awareness and the language skills underlying literacy.
Social Communication
Supporting communication and interaction for autistic children and other children who need help in this area.
Complex Communication
Developmental Language Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech and developmental disabilities.
Meet your speech pathologists
Experienced speech pathologists. Local mums. People who genuinely enjoy working with children.
We’re a small team by choice.
We believe good therapy starts with a strong relationship. Your speech pathologist will get to know your child, understand what matters to your family and work with you towards realistic goals.
Lisa Mathers
Principal Speech Pathologist
22 years’ experience
Lisa particularly enjoys working with children with speech sound and articulation difficulties and young children who stutter. She has additional training in the Lidcombe Program for preschool stuttering.
Lucy Leane
Speech Pathologist
22 years’ experience
Lucy has particular interests in early language development, speech sound disorders, autism and supporting children with disabilities.
Megan Talia
Speech Pathologist
13 years’ experience
Megan has experience supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities, including autism, global developmental delay and speech and language difficulties.
Why families choose Sure Start
Experienced care that’s personal, practical and connected to your child’s everyday life.
We get to know your child
No two children are the same. We adapt assessment and therapy to your child’s needs, personality, interests and goals.
We involve you
Parents are an important part of therapy. We’ll explain what we’re working on and give you manageable strategies to use between appointments.
We work with schools and kindys
With your permission, we can communicate with your child’s teachers and other professionals so we’re working towards the same goals.
Our therapy has a purpose
We use evidence-based approaches and set realistic goals. We’re interested in skills that carry over beyond the therapy room — not simply what your child can do during their weekly appointment.
Speech therapy doesn’t stop when the appointment ends.
A weekly session gives us an opportunity to teach and practise new skills — but using those skills regularly in everyday life is what helps them become established.
That’s why we’ll show you what to practise, how to practise it and how to fit it into everyday routines.
When appropriate, we’ll also work with your child’s school or kindergarten.
Your first appointment
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before you contact us.
01 - We listen
Tell us what you’ve noticed and what you’re concerned about.
02 - We assess
We’ll get to know your child and look more closely at the areas causing concern.
03 - We explain
We’ll talk you through what we’ve found in clear, straightforward language.
04 - We make a plan
Together we’ll decide whether therapy, further assessment, home strategies or monitoring is the best next step.
Local families. Local schools. Local connections.
Sure Start Speech Pathology has been supporting children and families in Adelaide’s inner southern and eastern suburbs for many years.
Our clinic is located in Kingswood, near Mitcham Square, making us convenient for families from Kingswood, Mitcham, Unley and surrounding suburbs.
Because we work locally, we’ve also developed relationships with many local teachers, schools and kindergartens.
When everyone understands what your child is working towards, it’s much easier to support those skills outside the clinic.
Questions parents often ask us
My child isn't talking yet. Should I be worried?
Children develop language at different rates, but there are ages when we expect certain communication skills to emerge. If your child is using fewer words than expected, has stopped using words they previously had, or you’re simply concerned, it’s worth discussing this with a speech pathologist.
Will my child just catch up?
Some late talkers do catch up without therapy, while others continue to have difficulties with speech or language. An assessment can help us understand your child’s current skills and whether therapy, some strategies at home, or simply monitoring their progress is the best next step.
My child's speech is difficult to understand. When should I seek help?
Children’s speech becomes clearer as they get older, but frequent difficulty being understood can be a sign that extra support is needed. If you, family members, educators or other children are regularly struggling to understand your child, a speech assessment can help identify what’s happening and whether therapy would be beneficial.
My child has started stuttering. Should we wait and see?
Stuttering is quite common in young children and some children do recover naturally, but it’s not always possible to predict who will. Rather than simply waiting, we recommend speaking with a speech pathologist who can consider your child’s individual situation and advise whether treatment or monitoring is appropriate. [Learn about stuttering and the Lidcombe Program →]
How do I know whether my child needs speech therapy?
You don’t need to work this out before contacting us. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, language, stuttering, literacy or communication, we can assess their skills and help you decide whether therapy, further assessment, home strategies or monitoring is the best next step. [What happens at the first appointment →]
Can speech therapy help with reading and spelling?
Yes. Speech pathologists work with many of the underlying language and phonological awareness skills children need for successful reading and spelling. We can assess where your child is having difficulty and provide targeted literacy support when appropriate.
Could my child's communication difficulties be related to autism?
Communication differences can be associated with autism, but they can also occur for many other reasons. A speech pathologist can assess your child’s communication skills and identify areas where support may be helpful, but an autism diagnosis requires a broader diagnostic assessment.
How long does speech therapy take?
There isn’t one answer for every child. The length of therapy depends on your child’s needs, the type and severity of their difficulties, their goals and how readily new skills carry over into everyday life; we’ll discuss expected timeframes with you as therapy progresses.
Will we need to practise at home?
Usually, yes — but home practice shouldn’t take over family life. We’ll show you practical ways to reinforce your child’s therapy goals between appointments, often through short activities or everyday routines, because regular practice helps new skills become established.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can contact Sure Start Speech Pathology directly without a referral. A referral may be required if you wish to access certain Medicare rebates, and we’re happy to explain the funding and rebate options that may apply to your child. [See fees and funding →]
Where you will find us in Adelaide
Our clinic is located in Unit 1, 15-17 Princes Road, Kingswood SA 5062, in Mitcham opposite Mitcham Square, with free onsite parking, an accessible parking bay and step-free access to the clinic. Easy access via Cross, Belair and Fullarton Roads and nearby train (Mitcham train station) and bus stops.
We regularly see clients from Mitcham, Kingswood, Unley, Parkside, Goodwood, Colonel Light Gardens, Netherby and Urrbrae, and from nearby areas such as Belair, Blackwood, Coromandel Valley, Hawthorndene, Glen Osmond, Highgate, Malvern, Springfield and Torrens Park.
Funding & rebates
You don’t need a referral to see us.
Depending on your circumstances, speech pathology services may be eligible for funding or rebates through:
NDIS
Medicare
Private Health Insurance
Not sure whether your child needs speech therapy?
You don’t need to work that out on your own.
Tell us a little about your child and what’s concerning you. We can help you decide what the next step should be.
Frequently asked questions for speech therapy services
0
0
How do I get started?
Call us or send the enquiry form and choose ‘Speech’. We will reply or call you to discuss your needs and find the best available appointment times. Speech pathology sessions are typically set in weekly or fortnightly slots (no online booking) and we will discuss this with you at the time of booking.
Do I need a GP referral?
No referral is required for private appointments. Bring a referral only if you are claiming a Medicare rebate for speech therapy. We also see NDIS clients for speech pathology services. Plan type is confirmed on enquiry.
Can I claim with private health?
Yes. For more information, go to our fees and rebate page. HICAPS on-the-spot claiming is available where your policy covers the service; your fund can confirm exact benefits.
What ages and communication needs do you support in speech pathology?
Speech therapy supports children aged 2–18 years in developing speech sounds, receptive and expressive language, literacy, social awareness, and more. We do not currently offer supports for children with feeding or voice issues and older-child stuttering requires a different approach. For preschoolers and early primary school children with stuttering, the Lidcombe Program is used.
Do you offer telehealth?
Speech therapy offers telehealth for existing clients when needed (not for new clients), with the same fees as in-clinic sessions. We will let you know how to connect, how it works and what to have ready.
Are after-school appointments available?
After-school speech sessions are limited and offered when a slot opens; sessions typically run the same day and time each week or fortnight. It is always worth enquiring about after school appointments so that we know this is what you are looking for and we will do our best to accomodate you.
Where do I park and how do I get there?
You will find Sure Start Health at Unit 1, 15-17 Princes Road, Kingswood SA 5062 with off-street (free) parking, directly across from Mitcham Square and close to train/bus routes.
What is your cancellation policy?
A 48-hour cancellation policy applies. Read more about our cancellation policies on the website.