Written by Dr Rosemary Hodges One of the most common questions parents ask is, “How do I know speech therapy is actually working?”It’s an important question and one that deserves a clear answer. At Word Stars, progress is never assumed or left to guesswork. From the start of each therapy block, we plan how progress will be monitored and reviewed, so families know what change we’re looking for and how it will be measured. Throughout therapy, we complete regular review check-ins to make sure goals remain appropriate and therapy is on track. Progress may be shared in a variety of ways, depending on your child and the goals being targeted. This can include visual progress graphs, examples of your child’s language or work samples, written progress summaries, and scheduled check-in calls to talk through progress and next steps together. Graphs 1 & 2: Examples of how we often graph data for early intervention clients focusing on goals such as increasing the number of consonant sounds they can produce and increasing their vocabulary. *NLM = narrative language measures Graph 3: Example of how we often graph data for our school-aged groups focusing on goals such as telling a well-structured story and answering questions about a story. At the end of each therapy block, progress is reviewed collaboratively. We discuss what has changed, what still needs support, and what should happen next — whether that’s continuing therapy, adjusting goals, changing the therapy format, or taking a break. We think that families should feel confident in understanding their child’s speech therapy progress and supported in making informed decisions along the way.
How Does Speech Therapy Work at Word Stars?
Speech therapy can feel overwhelming when it’s unclear what the focus is or whether progress is being made. At Word Stars Speech Pathology, our approach is designed to provide clarity from the very beginning. We deliver paediatric speech therapy in goal-driven therapy blocks, rather than open-ended therapy. Each therapy block starts with a clear plan. Before therapy sessions begin, your child’s speech pathologist identifies personalised goals, the key strategies that will be used, and how progress will be measured and writes these all down in a “Therapy Plan”. This ensures therapy is purposeful and targeted. Therapy may be delivered through individual speech therapy sessions, small group programs, or short-term therapy intensives, depending on what best supports your child’s goals. The therapy format is chosen intentionally and reviewed regularly as your child grows and develops. Throughout each block, we complete regular progress check-ins to make sure therapy is on track. At the end of the block, progress is reviewed and clear next steps are discussed. This may include continuing therapy, adjusting goals, changing the therapy format, or taking a break. Our aim is simple: families should always know what their child is working on, how progress is going, and what comes next.