Parent resources
A–Z glossary of child therapy terms
Therapy comes with a lot of jargon. Here is every term explained in plain, friendly language — so you always know what we (and other professionals) mean.
A
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication)
- Tools and methods that support or replace speech — from picture cards and gestures to communication apps — so a child who cannot yet talk can still communicate. Learn more →
- ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
- A structured, evidence-based therapy that builds helpful skills and reduces challenging behaviour by understanding what triggers and rewards it. Often used to support autistic children and those with behaviour difficulties. Learn more →
- ADHD
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder — ongoing difficulty with attention, impulse control and/or activity level that is beyond typical toddler energy and affects daily life. Learn more →
- Apraxia of Speech (Childhood)
- A motor speech difficulty where the brain struggles to plan and coordinate the movements needed to talk, even though the muscles work. The child knows what they want to say but it comes out inconsistently. Learn more →
- Articulation
- How clearly a child produces speech sounds. Articulation difficulties make speech hard to understand — for example saying “wabbit” for “rabbit”. Learn more →
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- A lifelong difference in how a child communicates, plays and experiences the world. “Spectrum” means it looks different in every child. Early support helps children thrive. Learn more →
- Assessment (Developmental)
- A gentle, play-based evaluation of a child’s speech, motor, social, play and learning skills to understand their strengths and needs and create a plan. Learn more →
B
- Behavioural Therapy
- Therapy that teaches positive behaviours and life skills while gently reducing behaviours that get in the way of learning and relationships. Learn more →
C
- Cognitive Skills
- Thinking skills — attention, memory, problem-solving and understanding — that underpin learning and everyday tasks.
D
- Developmental Delay (Global)
- When a child is noticeably behind in two or more areas of development, such as movement, speech, play or daily skills. Learn more →
- Down Syndrome
- A genetic condition that can affect learning, speech and muscle tone. With early, consistent support, children with Down syndrome make meaningful progress. Learn more →
- Dyslexia
- A specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading, spelling and writing, despite a child being bright in other areas. Learn more →
E
- Early Intervention
- Support given as early as possible — ideally under age three — when the brain is most adaptable, to make the biggest difference to a child’s development. Learn more →
- Echolalia
- Repeating words or phrases heard from others, sometimes immediately and sometimes later. It is common in autism and can be a stepping stone to communication. Learn more →
- Expressive Language
- A child’s ability to express themselves — using words, sentences and gestures to share thoughts and needs. Learn more →
F
- Feeding & Swallowing Difficulties
- Trouble with eating, chewing, accepting textures or swallowing safely. Often linked to sensory or motor differences and supported by therapy. Learn more →
- Fine Motor Skills
- Small, precise movements of the hands and fingers — used for holding a pencil, doing buttons or using cutlery. Learn more →
- Fluency
- The smoothness and flow of speech. Difficulties with fluency include stammering (stuttering). Learn more →
G
- Gross Motor Skills
- Large movements using the whole body — sitting, crawling, walking, running and balance. Learn more →
I
- IEP (Individualised Education Plan)
- A written plan with specific, tailored goals for a child who learns differently, plus the support and strategies to reach them. Learn more →
- Inclusive Education
- Teaching that welcomes and adapts to children of all abilities, so every child can learn alongside others with the right support. Learn more →
- Intellectual Disability
- When a child learns and understands more slowly and needs extra support with thinking and daily skills. Sometimes called a “slow learner”. Learn more →
J
- Joint Attention
- Sharing focus on the same thing with another person — for example looking at a toy together and back at each other. A key building block of communication. Learn more →
L
- Language Delay
- When a child is slower than expected to understand or use words, even if their speech sounds are clear. Learn more →
- Late Talker
- A toddler who understands well but uses far fewer words than expected for their age. Learn more →
M
- Meltdown
- An intense response to feeling overwhelmed — different from a tantrum because it is not about getting something and the child cannot simply stop it. Learn more →
- Milestones
- Skills most children develop by a certain age, such as first words or walking — useful guides (not strict rules) for tracking development. Learn more →
N
- Non-verbal Communication
- Communicating without words — through eye contact, gestures, facial expressions and body language. Learn more →
O
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Therapy that builds the everyday skills a child needs to take part in life — motor skills, handwriting, self-care, play and sensory regulation. Learn more →
R
- Receptive Language
- A child’s ability to understand language — following instructions, answering questions and understanding words and gestures. Learn more →
- Remedial Education
- Targeted teaching that helps a child catch up on specific learning gaps at their own pace. Learn more →
S
- Selective Mutism
- An anxiety-based difficulty where a child talks comfortably in some settings (often home) but cannot speak in others, such as school. Learn more →
- Sensory Integration
- How the brain takes in and organises information from the senses so a child can respond calmly and appropriately to their environment. Learn more →
- Sensory Processing Difficulty
- When a child is over- or under-sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, movement or tastes, affecting behaviour and daily life. Learn more →
- Special Education
- Individualised teaching for children who learn differently, meeting them at their level with tailored goals and methods. Learn more →
- Speech & Language Therapist (SLT)
- A qualified professional who assesses and treats difficulties with speech, language, communication and sometimes feeding in children. Learn more →
- Speech Delay
- When a child is slower than expected to start talking or to build vocabulary. Learn more →
- Stammering (Stuttering)
- A difficulty with the flow of speech — repeating sounds, prolonging them or getting “stuck” when trying to talk. Learn more →
T
- Tantrum
- A burst of frustration (crying, shouting, kicking) usually aimed at getting something — a normal part of toddler development that therapy can help families manage. Learn more →
Not sure what applies to your child? You don’t need to know the terms — just tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll explain everything clearly.
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Have a question about a term — or your child?
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