Questions to ask before choosing a speech pathologist for your child

Start with fit, not marketing

A practice can offer speech pathology without every clinician working across every age and communication need. Briefly describe your child’s strengths, age and main concern, then ask who in the team has relevant experience.

You are not asking the practice to diagnose your child over the phone. You are checking whether it is a sensible place to begin and whether the service can explain its scope clearly.

• Do you regularly work with children this age and this type of concern?
• Who would see my child, and what professional credential do they hold?
• Is the first visit an assessment, a consultation or a therapy session?
• If you are not the right service, where would you suggest we start?

Ask how the service will work

Good care should have an understandable purpose. Ask how the clinician will involve you and your child in setting goals, how home practice will fit family life, and when progress will be reviewed.

• How do you decide on goals after the assessment?
• How will you explain findings and recommendations to us?
• How often do you review whether therapy is helping?
• Will we receive a written report, and is it included in the fee?
• Can you communicate with school or other clinicians with our consent?

Compare access and total cost

Ask for more than the price of one standard session. Assessments, reports, travel, school liaison and cancellation fees can materially change the total cost. If you are using Medicare, private health or NDIS funding, confirm the practice can work with that arrangement before the appointment.

• Are you accepting new clients for this service now?
• What is the expected wait for assessment and ongoing sessions?
• Do you offer clinic, home, school or telehealth appointments?
• What are all likely fees, including reports and travel?
• What happens if we need to pause, change clinician or end therapy?

Notice how the practice answers

You may not receive a firm prediction about the number of sessions before assessment, and that can be reasonable. Look for clear explanations, honest limits, respect for your child and willingness to answer practical questions without pressure.

If your child has trouble breathing, suddenly loses communication skills, or has urgent feeding or swallowing symptoms, seek timely medical advice rather than waiting for a routine private appointment.