Why doesn’t Speech & Language Support Services travel for therapy?
We’ve learned that skipping travel means more time for what truly matters – therapy. By offering in-clinic and telehealth sessions, families invest every dollar in progress, not petrol. It’s a model that keeps parents included, therapists energised, and children achieving their goals faster.
At Speech & Language Support Services, we’re often asked:
“Do you travel to homes, schools or daycares?”
The short answer is: No.
The real answer? It’s because we want the best possible outcomes for your child, your family—and for our therapists too.
We believe in more therapy progress, not less—so we’ve chosen a model that skips the travel and doubles the impact.
Why Less Travel Means More Progress For Your Child
By removing travel from the equation, we make space for what truly drives progress: therapy time.
Most families don’t realise this, but more than half of a child’s therapy budget can be spent on travel fees. That means fewer sessions, less progress, and longer waitlists.
Some families have told us they’re paying nearly $600 for a single session with a visiting occupational therapist or speech pathologist.
We’d rather double your child’s therapy time than charge you for our time stuck in traffic. Every dollar you invest should go toward what matters most: building communication skills and empowering your child.
“By eliminating travel, we maximize therapy time and minimize wasted resources—delivering more effective outcomes for every child.”
The Most Crucial Person in Therapy? You.
Pop-in therapy at schools and daycares might sound convenient, but they often excluded the most important person in your child’s development: you.
I spent 12 years working in schools, and when I first started in private practice, schools lined up asking me to provide onsite therapy. On paper, it made sense: same therapist, same resources, same notes. But I noticed something that changed everything:
The kids who made the biggest gains were the ones whose parents were in the room with me.
Same strategies. Same therapist. Completely different outcomes.
Why? Because those parents understood what we were working on. They could use the strategies during mealtimes, bathtime, stories, school drop-offs—the everyday moments where communication really grows.
We often meet wonderful, engaged parents who have no idea what their child’s therapy goals are or what strategies are being used. That’s not their fault—it’s a system that leaves them out. When you’re not included, you’re left out of the change.
We’ve seen it time and time again: the best outcomes happen when parents are involved, supported, and confident.
For The Therapists Who Get It
If you’re a speech pathologist reading this, we see you.
You didn’t train for years to work out of your car, haul a bootful of therapy resources, or wrestle with a tangled bag of toys in the rain. You didn’t sign up to knock on doors in a downpour, walk into unknown situations, or drive across town only to hear, “Oh! We forgot to tell you—he’s on an excursion.” You became a therapist to change lives.
The mobile model might serve some, but for many, it’s exhausting. It’s isolating. It pulls you away from doing your best work.
I know, because for over a decade, I lugged bags of resources up staircases, searched for a spare seat in the staffroom (careful not to use anyone else’s mug), and always brought my own. One time, I arrived for a home visit just as my client’s mates showed up—with a box of beer.
Being a therapist was something I truly loved. But I knew I couldn’t keep working that way until I was eighty. Staying in this profession for the long haul mattered to me—because there’s still so much more I want to give. But for me, the visiting therapist model wasn’t the answer. It wasn’t sustainable. And it wasn’t where I saw the biggest impact.
Our Focus: More Therapy Progress, Less Travel
Now? At our practice we don’t chase kilometres—we chase outcomes.
Your energy is best spent with the child in front of you, not stuck in traffic.
Your time is better spent changing lives, not navigating postcodes, tunnels, tolls or dealing with the wear and tear on you (and your car).
Less travel means more energy for therapy.
Even more importantly, we love the energy that comes from working together. There’s something magical about bumping into a fellow speechie in the hallway and celebrating a win with someone who truly gets it.
When sessions don’t go to plan? You’re not alone. If a session becomes tricky or a child’s needs escalate, there’s always someone just outside the door, ready to help. We’ve got each other’s backs always.
And let’s be honest starting your day with a hot coffee, knowing everything you need is exactly where it should be? That’s its own kind of joy. No bags to pack. No mystery locations. Just present and making a difference.
A Better Way Forward (That Still Works for You)
We choose to keep therapy sessions in-clinic or via telehealth—and we do it on purpose.
Telepractice is now a well-established, research-supported model of service delivery (ASHA, Telepractice Guidelines).
Because this model allows for:
- Consistent therapy schedules
- Stronger therapist-client relationships
- Higher quality sessions without fatigue or distraction
- True collaboration with parents and families
- More value and better outcomes for every child we see
However, don’t mistake that for inflexibility.
If your child thrives in the backyard, in the pool, at the park, or with a hot chocolate in hand at your local café, we can do that.
Our online therapy model means we can still meet your child where they shine, while keeping the support focused, efficient, and fully inclusive of you.
We’ve done sessions with kids floating in the pool, jumping on trampolines or playing in the sandpit. That’s the beauty of therapy that adapts without compromising impact.
This Isn’t Just About Convenience. It’s About Integrity.
We don’t have magic wands and we don’t pretend to.
Progress comes from consistency, connection and collaboration. It comes from showing up, working together and doing what works.
What We Stand For
At Speech & Language Support Services, we stand for:
- Partnership with families – Because the biggest gains happen when parents are involved, informed, and empowered.
- Therapy with purpose – We focus on real-world outcomes, not just ticking boxes.
- Connection and clarity – You’ll always know your child’s goals and what’s working.
- Sustainable practice – For our clients and our therapists. No burnout, no rushing, no guesswork.
- Collaboration, not isolation – Because no one should do this alone.
We don’t travel because we care deeply about your child, your role as a parent, and our therapists’ ability to give their best. This is what it looks like when a practice is built around values, not vehicles.
We’re here for long-term impact, not short-term fixes.
And that’s how we help children and families truly thrive.
Want to be part of something that truly matters?
Feeling inspired to create meaningful change alongside a team that leads with heart?
We’re always looking for passionate clinicians and AHAs who want to do their best work without spending hours on the road.
No traffic. No burnout. Just real impact, real connection, and real outcomes. See how you can join us.
Continue Exploring
The Power of Partnerships – how collaborating with families accelerates therapy
The Power of Connection – why relationships are the heart of communication progress
The Speech House – our model for affordable, consistent therapy with AHAs
Online Speech Therapy – flexible, effective support from home
Because more therapy and less travel means more time for what truly matters: connection, progress, and joy.