At Bright Starts Speech Pathology, we understand that every child's communication journey is unique. Located in the heart of Bentleigh, Victoria, our dedicated team provides specialized and compassionate speech and language therapy services tailored to meet the individual needs of children of all ages. We are passionate about empowering children to communicate confidently, connect meaningfully with others, and thrive in their daily lives.
Whether your child is just starting their journey with words, facing challenges with specific sounds, or building their social communication skills, our friendly and experienced speech pathologists are here to support them every step of the way. We create a warm, engaging, and play-based environment where learning feels natural and fun, fostering positive experiences and encouraging progress.
Established in Bentleigh, Bright Starts Speech Pathology was founded with a simple yet profound vision: to provide exceptional, family-centred speech therapy services that empower children to reach their full communication potential. Our roots in the local community run deep, giving us a unique understanding of the families we serve and the support they need. We are not just therapists; we are partners in your child's development, working collaboratively with parents, caregivers, educators, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach.
Our clinic is a warm, welcoming space designed specifically for children, filled with engaging resources and materials that make therapy sessions feel like playtime. We believe that building a strong, trusting relationship with each child and their family is paramount to achieving meaningful outcomes. Our team comprises highly qualified and experienced speech pathologists registered with Speech Pathology Australia, committed to ongoing professional development to stay at the forefront of evidence-based practices. We specialise in a wide range of communication needs, from early language delays and articulation difficulties to complex needs requiring long-term support.
Every child is unique, and so is our approach. We conduct thorough, play-based assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of your child's strengths and challenges. Based on this, we develop individualised therapy plans with clear, measurable goals that are relevant to your family's priorities and your child's daily life. We celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and provide parents with practical strategies and resources to support their child's progress at home. We are deeply committed to creating a positive and empowering experience for both children and their families, helping bright starts lead to brighter futures. We've seen firsthand the incredible impact effective communication has on a child's confidence, relationships, and overall well-being, and we are passionate about facilitating that change for every family who walks through our doors.
Our commitment extends beyond the therapy room. We are actively involved in the Bentleigh community, offering workshops and resources for parents and educators to raise awareness about childhood communication development and provide valuable insights into supporting children's needs. We are proud to be a trusted provider of speech pathology services in Victoria, dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families.
We offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based services designed to support children's communication at every stage of development, delivered with care and expertise by our experienced team.
Our comprehensive assessments utilize a range of standardised and play-based tools to gain a detailed understanding of your child's unique communication profile. This helps us identify specific areas of strength and difficulty, forming the foundation for a truly personalised therapy plan. We take the time to discuss the assessment findings with you clearly and answer all your questions.
One-on-one therapy sessions are tailored specifically to your child's individual needs and goals identified during the assessment. We use engaging, play-based activities to make learning fun and motivating. Sessions focus on targeted strategies and practice to build skills effectively, providing dedicated time for your child's unique journey.
Our fun and interactive group programs provide children with opportunities to practise and generalise their communication skills in a social setting. These programs are designed around specific age groups and communication goals, helping children build confidence in interacting with peers and developing turn-taking, listening, and conversation skills.
Targeted support for preschool-aged children (0-6 years) focusing on the crucial early years of communication development. Our early intervention services work closely with families to provide strategies and support that can be integrated into daily routines, promoting foundational speech, language, and play skills during this critical period.
We provide effective, evidence-based strategies and compassionate support for children who stutter. Our therapy helps children develop fluency-enhancing techniques, manage moments of stuttering, and build confidence in their communication, while also supporting parents with practical strategies to use at home.
Articulation therapy helps children who have difficulty producing specific speech sounds clearly. We use fun, targeted activities and techniques to help children learn how to make sounds correctly, improve intelligibility, and build confidence in their spoken communication.
Support for children who may be delayed in reaching language milestones, including difficulties understanding language (receptive language) and using language to express themselves (expressive language). We work on expanding vocabulary, building sentence structure, understanding concepts, and using language effectively in different situations.
We believe empowering parents is key to a child's success. Our workshops cover various topics related to communication development, providing parents and caregivers with valuable insights, practical strategies, and confidence-building tools to support their child's communication at home and in the community.
Collaboration is vital for holistic support. We can liaise with your child's educators, providing strategies and recommendations to support communication goals within the school or preschool environment, ensuring consistency and reinforcement across different settings.
We guide you and your child through every stage of their communication journey with care, transparency, and a focus on positive outcomes. Here's what you can expect:
Reach out to us via phone or email to share your concerns about your child's communication development. Our friendly administration team will listen carefully and guide you through the process of booking an initial assessment appointment at our Bentleigh clinic. We'll confirm the details and answer any initial questions you may have.
The assessment session is a key step where we get to know your child and understand their unique communication needs. Our skilled speech pathologist will use a combination of observation, play-based activities, and formal assessment tools in a comfortable environment. We also gather important background information from you to get a complete picture.
Following the assessment, we will discuss the findings and recommendations with you in detail. Collaboratively, we will establish clear, achievable, and functional therapy goals that align with your child's needs and your family's priorities. This ensures therapy is meaningful and relevant to your daily life.
Your child will attend regular, engaging, and fun therapy sessions tailored to their specific goals. Sessions are typically play-based to keep your child motivated and facilitate natural learning. We will provide you with practical strategies and activities to work on at home between sessions, maximising progress.
We regularly review your child's progress towards their goals and discuss this with you. Therapy is dynamic, and we will adjust the plan as needed based on your child's achievements and evolving needs. Our aim is to ensure therapy remains effective, engaging, and continues to meet your child's potential.
We are incredibly proud of the progress the children we work with make. Read what parents are saying about their experience at Bright Starts Speech Pathology. Their success stories are our greatest reward.
Sarah K.
Parent of client
"Bright Starts made such a difference for our son! His speech has improved dramatically in just a few months, and he genuinely looks forward to his sessions each week. The therapists are so skilled at making therapy fun and engaging, and they provided us with practical tips we could use at home. It's been a truly positive experience, and we've seen his confidence blossom alongside his communication skills. Thank you to the entire team!"
David L.
Parent of client
"The team at Bright Starts is amazing. They are so warm, professional, and skilled at working with children. From the moment we contacted them, we felt supported and understood. They created a therapy plan that was perfectly suited to our daughter's needs, and the progress we've seen is remarkable. They really understand how to connect with kids and make the therapy sessions enjoyable. Highly recommend them to any family seeking speech pathology services in the Bentleigh area."
Emily R.
Parent of client
"We saw incredible progress in just a few months of therapy at Bright Starts. Our son was struggling with certain sounds, and the targeted approach used by his therapist made a noticeable difference quickly. The strategies they taught us to use at home have been invaluable in supporting his learning between sessions. The clinic environment is lovely and child-friendly, making the whole experience positive for him. We are so grateful for their expertise and dedication."
Michael B.
Parent of client
"Professional, caring, and effective. Bright Starts Speech Pathology is simply the best clinic we've been to in Melbourne. The initial assessment was thorough, and the therapist explained everything clearly. Our child's therapy sessions are always well-planned and fun, incorporating play and movement. We appreciate the open communication and the support we receive as parents. It's made a huge difference to our family."
Choosing the right support for your child is a significant decision. Here are some key reasons why families in Bentleigh and surrounding areas choose Bright Starts Speech Pathology:
Our team consists of highly skilled and experienced speech pathologists who are passionate about paediatric communication. Each therapist is registered with Speech Pathology Australia and committed to continuous learning and evidence-based practice, ensuring your child receives the highest quality of care.
We understand that every child learns differently. Our therapy is highly individualised, tailored to your child's specific needs, interests, and learning style. We follow your child's lead in play, making therapy engaging, motivating, and effective, ensuring they feel seen and heard.
Learning happens best when it's fun! Our clinic is designed to be a stimulating and joyful environment. We integrate therapy goals seamlessly into play activities, making sessions enjoyable for your child and promoting natural skill development in a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
We see parents and caregivers as crucial partners in the therapy process. We work collaboratively with you, providing clear explanations, practical strategies, and ongoing support so you can confidently support your child's communication development at home and integrate new skills into daily routines.
Our modern and accessible clinic is conveniently located in Bentleigh, Victoria, making it easy for families in the surrounding suburbs of Melbourne to access quality speech pathology services. We offer a welcoming and comfortable environment for both children and adults.
We understand that a child's needs may involve multiple professionals. We are committed to working collaboratively with your child's educators, paediatricians, and other therapists to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to their overall development and well-being.
Meet the friendly and experienced faces who are passionate about helping your child shine and reach their full communication potential. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care.
Lead Speech Pathologist
Anya is a highly experienced and respected speech pathologist with over 15 years dedicated to paediatric care. She holds a doctorate in Speech Pathology, specializing in early intervention and complex language disorders in preschool and early school-aged children. Anya is passionate about empowering families and believes in creating a positive and supportive therapy experience. Her expertise lies in developing holistic, evidence-based intervention plans that are practical and achievable for families.
Speech Pathologist
Liam brings a dynamic and engaging approach to therapy, with a particular passion for helping children overcome articulation difficulties and supporting children who stutter. He uses fun, interactive, and evidence-based methods that keep children motivated and make learning enjoyable. Liam is dedicated to building strong relationships with his clients and their families, ensuring a comfortable and effective therapy environment. He enjoys incorporating games and movement into sessions.
Speech Pathologist
Chloe is passionate about supporting families to enhance communication development through play and everyday routines. She has experience working with children with a variety of communication needs, with a special interest in early language development and social communication skills. Chloe is known for her warm and empathetic approach, creating a safe and supportive space for children to explore and develop their communication abilities. She believes in empowering parents with practical strategies for home.
We understand you might have questions about speech therapy and our services. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by parents.
If you have any concerns about your child's communication development, it's a good idea to seek a professional opinion. Common signs that might indicate a need for speech therapy include difficulties with: speaking clearly for their age (articulation), putting words together in sentences (expressive language), understanding what others say (receptive language), social communication and interaction, stuttering, or voice quality. An assessment is the best way to determine if therapy is needed and how Bright Starts can help. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific concerns – early assessment and intervention can make a significant difference.
The initial assessment is a friendly and thorough session designed to understand your child's unique communication profile. It typically involves gathering detailed information about your child's medical history, development, and your specific concerns. The speech pathologist will interact with your child through play and age-appropriate activities to observe their communication skills and may use formal assessment tools if appropriate. The session is a relaxed and engaging experience for your child. We dedicate time to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations with you, answering all your questions and outlining potential next steps, including collaborative goal setting if therapy is recommended.
Individual therapy sessions at Bright Starts Speech Pathology typically last between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your child's age, attention span, and specific needs. This duration allows sufficient time for engaging activities, targeted practice, and discussion with parents/caregivers about progress and home practice strategies. Group therapy sessions may vary in length depending on the program structure, usually ranging from 60 to 90 minutes. We aim to schedule sessions that are manageable and effective for your child.
No, you do not need a formal referral from a doctor or other health professional to book an appointment with Bright Starts Speech Pathology. You can contact us directly to schedule an initial discussion or an assessment. We are a private practice, and families can self-refer. However, if you have a referral from a GP, paediatrician, or other professional, please feel free to bring it along as it can provide helpful background information for our assessment.
Our services may be eligible for rebates through Medicare or private health insurance, depending on your circumstances and coverage. Medicare rebates may be available under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan (formerly Enhanced Primary Care or EPC) if your child meets specific criteria and is referred by their GP. Private health insurance coverage varies widely, so we recommend checking with your specific health fund regarding your 'Extras' cover for speech pathology. We can provide invoices with necessary codes to assist with claiming. Please note that we do not offer bulk billing for Medicare.
Yes, Bright Starts Speech Pathology is able to provide services to participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. We can provide therapy and assessment services under the 'Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living' support category. If your child has an NDIS plan, please discuss this with us when booking your appointment so we can confirm how we can support you.
Ready to take the next step in your child's communication journey? Contact Bright Starts Speech Pathology to book an assessment, enquire about our services, or learn more about how we can help your child find their voice. We look forward to hearing from you!
Call us:
Email us:
Visit us:
321 Centre Road, Bentleigh, VIC, 3162
(Conveniently located in the heart of Bentleigh)
Business Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm