Speech therapy or ABA: which support should parents ask about?
Reviewed by Chong Tin Fung, Clinical Psychologist.
Published
Prepared with AI assistance using the sources and clinic information linked in this guide. This article provides general information and does not replace an individual assessment or medical advice.
When a child has communication or everyday learning difficulties, families may hear several service names at once. “Should we choose speech therapy or ABA?” is understandable, but a useful first question is: “What does our child need help with, and who can assess that need?”
Services can have overlapping goals while bringing different expertise. This guide helps you prepare questions rather than choose a programme from a label.
What does speech therapy at MY Psychology KK focus on?
The centre’s speech therapy service describes assessment and support for speech, language, listening and social communication. That includes more than pronunciation. A family may be concerned about understanding instructions, expressing needs or taking part in conversation.
Describe an everyday example: “My child has difficulty telling us which item they want” provides a clearer starting point than “we need more words”. Ask how the therapist will assess the concern, which languages matter in the child’s life and how goals will relate to home and school.
What does ABA-informed support focus on?
The centre’s ABA service primarily supports autistic children with individual communication, learning and everyday skill goals. The published pathway includes a consultation and a separate ABA assessment to identify a starting point for support. That assessment does not diagnose autism or ADHD.
A family might ask about learning steps in a routine or communicating a request during an activity. Ask why a goal is meaningful for the child, how progress is measured and how the practitioner responds when the child is uncomfortable or wants a break. The programme name alone does not answer these questions.
Can both services address communication?
Yes, the centre describes communication within both pathways. This overlap is a reason to clarify roles. Ask who evaluates speech and language needs, who develops the communication plan and how recommendations are shared if more than one professional is involved.
For example, a speech therapist might assess which communication options meet a child’s needs, while another practitioner supports use of the agreed approach within a routine. Whether this arrangement is appropriate depends on assessment, each practitioner’s competence and coordination. It should not be assumed for every family.
Where does AAC fit?
Augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, includes ways of supplementing or replacing spoken communication, such as gestures, pictures or communication devices. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explains that AAC has no prerequisite skills and should not be ruled out simply because someone already uses some speech.
If your child cannot consistently communicate what matters to them, ask about a communication assessment and suitable options. Avoid choosing a device or picture system solely because it worked for another child. Consider access, languages, preferences and how communication partners will learn to respond.
Questions to ask before booking
- Which professional should we see first for this concern?
- What question will the assessment answer?
- What will the proposed goal help our child do?
- How will our child’s preferences and comfort be included?
- What involvement is expected from parents?
- If we use two services, how will the professionals coordinate?
Bring existing reports if requested and explain what support your child already receives. Share the practical limits your family faces, including language, school timetable and travel. A plan needs to be understandable and manageable as well as relevant.
Discussing support in Penampang
Contact MY Psychology KK with your child’s age, a brief description of the difficulty and your main question. Ask the team to clarify the appropriate pathway before purchasing a package. The current service pages are the place to check appointment arrangements and fees.
Does an autism diagnosis automatically mean ABA is the first step?
No. A diagnosis does not identify every priority or determine one service for everyone. Discuss the individual concern and the assessment needed.
Can an ABA assessment replace a diagnostic assessment?
No. The centre describes these as different pathways. Read the psychological assessment guide for an introduction to assessment questions.