Speech Therapy: Unlocking Communication & Connection in Dubai
Dear Dubai Parent, At Small Steps Big Dreams, we understand that communication is more than just words. It is how your child connects with you, expresses needs, builds friendships, and finds their place in the world. For some children, being understood—or understanding others—can feel frustrating and overwhelming. You may notice your child struggling to ask for what they want, follow conversations, pronounce words clearly, or engage socially at school. These challenges can affect confidence, learning, and emotional wellbeing. That is why we have created this comprehensive guide to Speech and Language Therapy. This guide is designed to help you understand how communication develops, what may be getting in the way, and how the right support can unlock meaningful connection—at home, at school, and across Dubai’s diverse community. Warm regards, The Small Steps Big Dreams Team
www.smallstepsbd.ae
More Than Talking: What Is Speech & Language Therapy? Speech and Language Therapy supports a child’s ability to understand, express, and use communication effectively in everyday life. Communication includes:
Understanding spoken language
Expressing needs, ideas, and emotions
Producing clear speech sounds
Using gestures, facial expressions, and body language
Engaging in conversations and social interactions
At Small Steps Big Dreams, speech therapy focuses on functional communication—skills your child can use naturally across real-life situations.
ABA Focus: Builds motivation, behavior, and learning readiness (the why behind communication).
Speech Therapy Focus: Builds language, speech clarity, and social communication (the how of being understood).
Together, they form a powerful foundation for lifelong communication success.
The Core Domains of Speech & Language Development We break speech therapy into four essential areas that directly impact your child’s success within Dubai schools and social environments. Area
What It Looks Like in Daily Life
Receptive Language
Following instructions, understanding questions, Supports learning, safety, and listening in class participation
Expressive Language
Asking for help, sharing ideas, expressing feelings
Builds independence and reduces frustration
Speech Clarity
Clear pronunciation and intelligible speech
Helps others understand your child with confidence
Social Communication
Turn-taking, eye contact, topic maintenance
Why It Matters
Essential for friendships and classroom success
Communication in a Multilingual City
Dubai is a multilingual, multicultural environment. Many families speak more than one language at home, which can sometimes raise concerns about speech delays. Our therapists help parents understand the difference between:
A language difference (multilingual development)
A language delay or disorder
Speech therapy at Small Steps Big Dreams respects home languages while supporting communication skills that help children thrive in school and community settings.
The Speech Therapy Roadmap at Small Steps Big Dreams We follow a clear, supportive process so families always know what to expect.
Step 1: Functional Communication Assessment We observe how your child communicates naturally—during play, routines, and interaction—rather than relying only on formal testing.
Step 2: Individualized Communication Goals Goals are meaningful and practical, such as:
Requesting preferred items independently
Answering simple questions
Improving speech clarity in daily conversations
Step 3: Play-Based, Evidence-Informed Therapy Sessions are engaging and motivating. Therapy may include:
Play and storytelling
Visual supports
Structured language-building activities
Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) when appropriate
Step 4: Generalization & Real-Life Use We ensure communication skills transfer beyond the therapy room—into homes, schools, and community environments. Supporting Social Communication & Confidence Many children can speak but struggle with how to use language socially. Speech therapy also addresses:
Initiating conversations
Understanding social cues
Taking turns during interaction
Staying on topic
These skills are essential for peer relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions for Dubai Parents Q: My child understands everything but does not speak much. Is speech therapy still needed? Yes. Expressive language challenges are common, and therapy focuses on helping children communicate their thoughts confidently. Q: Will using AAC stop my child from talking? No. Research shows that AAC often supports spoken language development by reducing frustration and building communication success. Q: Is speech therapy covered by insurance in Dubai? Many insurance plans cover speech therapy under developmental or rehabilitative services. Our team provides documentation to support reimbursement or direct billing where available.
Your Next Step: Building a Voice That Is Heard Speech therapy is about more than learning words—it is about giving your child a voice, confidence, and connection. At Small Steps Big Dreams, we partner with families to ensure communication skills grow naturally and meaningfully. Book a free tour or consultation with our speech therapy team in Dubai today.
About Small Steps Big Dreams
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CDA-licensed, internationally recognized clinical team Bilingual and multicultural child development team Specialists trained in Behavior Analysis, Verbal Behavior, Natural Environment Teaching Parent-first approach: every family is a partner, not just a client Convenient locations in Dubai; modern, school-based spaces Book a free tour or no-pressure consultation: www.smallstepsbd.ae |+971 55 610 6471/
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