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.
More Than Play: Growing Friendships, Confidence, and Communication
“Play is a child’s most powerful way to learn—and every child deserves the chance to thrive in a community of peers.” Attending childcare or preschool is something that most children between the ages of 3-5 years-old do. It can be exciting but also overwhelming, with lots of expectations and new peers. For children with communication difficulties, it can be especially tricky to join in with peers, follow routines, and feel confident expressing themselves. That’s why at Word Stars, we’ve created our Preschool Playgroup: a supportive, play-based therapy program facilitated by two of our skilled Speech Pathologists. What happens in Preschool Playgroup? Each week for 9 weeks, a small group of preschoolers and their parents come together in a warm, community setting to: Engage with peers in meaningful play and group activities Follow a routine that gently prepares them for preschool or school Develop social, emotional, and physical skills through play and interaction Practice communication skills in a natural environment It’s not just for the kids! Parents and carers are invited to connect with each other while also learning practical strategies. From the importance of routine, book modelling to alternative communication methods, our therapists run short parent education sessions at the end of each session, so families feel empowered to support their child at home. How does Playgroup reflect Word Stars’ values? Our Preschool Playgroup is a living example of the four Word Stars values: 🌟 Wholistic We collaborate with families and children’s early childhood educators to ensure tailored supports within the group We recognise that participation looks different for every child 🌟 Innovative Our therapist team reflects after each session to bring fresh ideas and strategies week to week and term to term, depending on the group’s needs We use technology such as interactive polls and digital communication platforms (such as “Class Dojo” and “Slido”) to gather parent feedback, spark discussion, and share wins each week 🌟 Results Orientated 9 sessions + 2 parent sessions: research shows children and families achieve stronger outcomes when attending at least 6 sessions Weekly outcome measures are used to track each child’s progress toward their individual goals, which are then discussed with parents at the end of the 9 sessions 🌟 Community-minded Sessions are facilitated in a natural, community setting so children learn and connect in real-world environments Why Playgroup (and not just 1:1 therapy)? This is a question we hear often from families. The answer is: it’s not either/or. One-to-one therapy is excellent for targeting specific communication goals. But children also need supported opportunities to apply those skills in a group setting—just like they’ll do in childcare, preschool, or school. Playgroup offers that bridge. For some children, playgroup has provided a valuable environment to explore and use alternative communication applications such as Proloquo and GoTalk in a more functional and meaningful way. The combination of structured and unstructured activities, such as circle time and morning tea, offers natural opportunities to model language on their applications. We’ll talk with you about your child’s goals and readiness, and decide when Playgroup is the next right step in your child’s therapy journey. “We’ve seen children blossom in confidence after just a few sessions—joining in, playing alongside new peers, and communicating more frequently.” Ready to find out more? If you’d like your child to grow their confidence, friendships, and communication skills in a supportive, play-based setting, we’d love to welcome you to our Preschool Playgroup. 👉 Contact the Word Stars team today to learn more and register your interest. Written by Ellie Bourke, Taraana Mohamed & Dr Rosemary HodgesCertified Practicing Speech Pathologists References Benevolent Society. (2016). Supported playgroups for children from birth to five years. https://www.parentingrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Supported-playgroups-for-children-from-birth-to-five-years.pdf NSW Communities and Justice. (2024). Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR) Summary: What does the evidence tell us about supported playgroups? https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/documents/about-us/facsiar/facsiar-publications-and-resources/supported-playgroups-in-early-intervention-facsiar-summary.pdf Queensland Department of Education. (2019). Supported playgroups: A practice guide for facilitators.https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/newsResources/Documents/supported-playgroups-practice-guide-facilitators.pdf