5 Things Families Can Do to Prepare for Your First Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy Appointment

Starting therapy can be a big step for both you and your child. Whether you’re seeking help with speech development, motor skills, or general developmental concerns, we want you to feel confident and ready for the journey ahead.

At Cooee, we have a clear and structured approach to getting started with therapy, and we’re here to guide you through every step.

Here are five things you can do to prepare for your first appointment:

1. Think About Why You Are Coming

Before your first session, take a moment to think about what brought you to seek therapy. What specific concern or difficulty are you hoping to address? Whether it’s speech delays, challenges with learning to read or write, or difficulty with everyday activities, having a clear understanding of the challenges your child is facing will help us focus on the right areas from the start. If you’re unsure, no worries—we can talk it through together during your first visit, that’s what our Client Journey Planning session is all about. (read more about it here!)

2. Prepare Your Documents

Gather any relevant documents that might help us understand your child’s history. This could include reports, diagnosis letters, or any previous assessments. It’s also a good idea to check if your child is eligible for any funding (like NDIS, Medicare, or Private Health Insurance) to make sure you can take full advantage of the support available. Having this information ready will help us tailor our approach and ensure everything is set up for success.

3. Think About Your Goals

What do you hope to achieve through therapy? Whether it’s supporting your child’s communication skills, building their ability to engage with others, or improving their daily routines, having a goal in mind helps both you and us understand where to focus our efforts. If you’re unsure about your goals, we’ll work with you to set them after the assessment phase is completed, based on your child’s needs.

4. Tell Your Child What Is Happening

If your child is old enough to understand, let them know what will be happening during therapy. Explain who they’ll be seeing, why they’re seeing them, and what they’ll be doing. Keep it positive and friendly—perhaps even showing them pictures or using simple language to make it more approachable. The more comfortable they feel about the upcoming visit, the easier it will be for them to engage with us.  We usually complete the Client Journey Planning session without the child present, so you can let us know then – if you will need help with how to talk to your child about the assessment or therapy phase.  

5. Tell Us If You Need Extra Help

We want to make sure everyone feels supported during their visit. If you need any extra help—whether it’s assistance with language (like an interpreter), you have a lot of questions to go through, or feel your child might need some extra support meeting new people—please let us know. We’re happy to accommodate and make adjustments to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

Starting therapy is an exciting step forward, and we’re here to make it as smooth and welcoming as possible. At Cooee, our structured approach ensures we address your child’s needs thoughtfully, and we’re committed to supporting both you and your child every step of the way.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to start this journey with you and your child!

Marion Giddy

Director & Speech Pathologist