A parent packing a bag at home with a notebook and a soft toy while their child plays happily nearby

Preparing for Your First Speech Therapy Appointment: A Checklist

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Preparing for a first speech therapy appointment is mostly about gathering your thoughts, not getting everything perfect. A few short notes about your concerns and some real-life examples are genuinely helpful, and any questions you have written down are worth bringing too. And if you arrive with nothing but yourselves, that is completely fine — this checklist simply helps the day feel calmer and more useful.

Feeling a little nervous before a first appointment is very common, whether the appointment is for your child or for yourself. It may help to know that a first appointment is a conversation and a gentle starting point, not a test that anyone can pass or fail. The therapist wants to understand the person — their strengths as well as their difficulties — and you are the expert on everyday life: what communication looks like at home, at school, at work and with family.

This guide covers appointments for children and for adults, with simple checklists for the days before, what to bring, and what usually happens on the day. Use the parts that fit your situation and skip the rest. If you are still wondering what a speech and language therapist does, our guide explains the role in plain language.

Key Takeaways

  • A little preparation helps: short notes about your concerns, with everyday examples, are the most useful thing you can bring.
  • Gather any previous reports or letters you already have, but do not worry if you have none.
  • Children do not need to perform or practise anything — familiar routines and a favourite comfort item help far more.
  • Adults are welcome to bring a family member or friend, and written notes if speaking is tiring.
  • A first appointment usually involves a conversation, some observation and gentle activities, then a discussion about next steps.
  • Feeling nervous is normal, and there is no wrong way to describe your concerns.

On this page

In the days before: your preparation checklist

A small amount of preparation in the days before the appointment makes the conversation easier, because everyday details are hard to remember on the spot. None of this is homework, and none of it needs to be neat or complete — a few lines on your phone or in a notebook are plenty.

Note down what you have noticed

  • When things started, or when you first became concerned. Even a rough idea — “around the time he started nursery” or “since my illness last year” — gives the therapist a useful starting point.
  • Everyday examples. The situations where communication is easier, and the ones where it is harder. Examples from real life say far more than general descriptions.
  • What seems to help. Perhaps gestures, pictures, extra time, a quiet room, or familiar routines make communicating easier — note whatever you have noticed.
  • For eating and drinking concerns, note what happens at mealtimes: coughing, slow meals, foods that are avoided, or anything else you have seen.
  • Strengths and interests too. What the person enjoys, does well and likes to talk about matters, because therapy builds on strengths.

Gather any reports or letters you already have

  • Previous assessment reports, school reports or letters from doctors, health visitors, teachers or other professionals, if you have them.
  • Hearing test results, if hearing has been checked in the past.
  • A note of any medicines the person currently takes, as background information.
  • Your appointment letter or message, so you have the time, place and any contact details to hand.

If you cannot find these, or they do not exist, do not let that worry you. Therapists are used to starting with whatever is available, and records can often be requested later with your permission.

Write down your questions

It is easy to forget your questions in the room, so jot them down as they occur to you. You might want to ask what support could look like, what you can do at home, or how things will be reviewed over time. The questions to ask a therapist section below offers some starting points.

A woman sitting at a kitchen table writing a list in a notebook, with a cup of tea beside her

What to bring on the day

  • Your notes and questions — the ones from the checklist above.
  • Any previous reports or letters you have gathered.
  • For a child: a favourite toy, book or comfort item. Something familiar helps a child feel at ease, and therapists are happy to build it into the session.
  • A familiar snack and a drink for a child, in case there is a wait or the appointment runs close to a mealtime.
  • Any communication aids the person already uses, described simply: things such as a communication book, picture or symbol cards, a letter board, or a speech-generating device. Bringing them shows the therapist how the person communicates right now.
  • Glasses or hearing aids, if the person uses them, so they can see and hear as well as possible during the session.
  • For appointments about eating and drinking, anything the therapist has asked you to bring — check your appointment letter.

That is all. You do not need special clothes, equipment or paperwork beyond this, and if you forget something, it can almost certainly be shared afterwards.

Helping a child feel relaxed

Children usually settle best when the day feels ordinary. A few small things can help:

  • Keep routines familiar. A normal morning, a normal meal and a normal journey keep the appointment from feeling like a big event.
  • Talk about the visit simply and warmly. You might say you are going to meet someone who plays and chats with children to learn how they talk and listen. Keep it light — there is no need for detailed explanations.
  • Do not practise answers or rehearse words. The therapist wants to see and hear your child’s everyday communication, exactly as it is. A child who has been drilled may feel under pressure, and that helps no one.
  • Expect shyness, and do not apologise for it. Many children take time to warm up, and some say very little at a first appointment. Therapists are used to this: watching your child play, and hearing from you, still gives them a great deal of information.
  • Arrive a little early if you can, so nobody feels rushed, and bring that favourite toy or comfort item along.

You can find more support for families in our For Kids and Parents hub.

A young child cuddling a favourite soft toy at home, relaxed and smiling

Preparing as an adult

If the appointment is for you, or you are supporting an adult family member, these points can help:

  • Bring someone with you if you would like to. A partner, family member or friend is usually welcome. They can offer support, share their own observations, and help remember what was said afterwards.
  • Bring written notes if speaking is tiring or effortful. You can write down your concerns in advance, and during the appointment you can write, point, gesture or use any communication aid you already use. Therapists are used to allowing plenty of time and to communicating in different ways — there is no need to struggle through spoken answers.
  • Think about the situations that matter most to you. Everyday communication — conversations with family, phone calls, shopping, work — and which of these you most want support with. This helps the therapist focus on what is functional and important in your life.
  • Ask for things to be repeated or written down. If information comes too quickly, or you would like time to think, say so. A good appointment goes at your pace.

Our For Adults hub has more guidance for adults and the people who support them.

If your appointment is online

Many first appointments now happen by video call, and a little setup helps them run smoothly:

  • Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you will not be disturbed or overheard, with the best light you can manage.
  • Charge your device or plug it in, and check the camera and microphone beforehand if you can.
  • Have your notes beside you, along with any reports you want to refer to.
  • For a child, have a few favourite toys nearby, and do not worry if they wander in and out of view — the therapist will be glad to see them as they are.
  • For eating and drinking appointments, follow any instructions in your appointment letter about what to have ready.

If the technology fails on the day, do not panic — services are used to it, and the appointment can usually be rearranged or continued another way.

What usually happens at a first appointment

Every service works slightly differently, but a first appointment usually includes most of the following:

  • A conversation first. The therapist asks about background — development and early years for a child, or health and recent changes for an adult — and about your concerns, in your own words.
  • Observation. The therapist watches and listens carefully. For a young child this often happens through play with toys, games and picture books. For an adult it may be through conversation and everyday talking tasks.
  • Gentle assessment activities. Short, friendly activities that show how the person understands, talks, and uses sounds and words. These are designed to reveal strengths as well as difficulties, and nothing about them is meant to feel like an exam.
  • For eating, drinking and swallowing concerns, the therapist may watch the person eat or drink familiar foods or drinks, and look at how the mouth works.
  • A discussion at the end. The therapist explains what they noticed, answers your questions, and talks through possible next steps with you.

Sometimes one appointment is not enough to build the full picture, and the therapist may suggest a further session before recommending a plan. That is normal, and it means decisions are being made on good information rather than first impressions.

After the appointment

  • You may be offered a written summary or report of what was discussed and recommended. When and how this arrives varies between services.
  • A plan might include further sessions, ideas for supporting communication at home, or — where relevant — suggestions about involving other professionals, such as a doctor, a teacher or a dietitian.
  • Any home practice will be chosen for the individual. If the therapist suggests activities to try at home, they will show you how to do them, explain what to watch for, and review them with you at later sessions. Activities should never be copied from general information or from another person’s plan, because what helps one person may not suit another.
  • Keep your notes going. Jotting down changes, successes and new questions between appointments builds a picture over time that genuinely helps.
  • Ask if anything is unclear. If you get home and realise you did not understand something, it is fine to get in touch and ask — therapists would rather explain twice than leave you unsure.
A father and his young son walking together outdoors on a sunny day, both smiling

When to seek help

A booked appointment is a good step, but you do not have to simply wait if things change:

  • If communication, eating or drinking difficulties are getting worse, or new concerns appear, contact your doctor or the service you are booked with and tell them.
  • Repeated coughing or choking at meals, a wet or gurgly voice after swallowing, or worries about a child’s growth need prompt professional advice — do not wait for a routine appointment.
  • If you feel worried at any point, you are entitled to ask. You do not need to be certain something is wrong before seeking advice.

One situation is an emergency. Sudden speech loss, facial droop, arm weakness, choking, or difficulty breathing can be signs of a medical emergency — call your local emergency number immediately.

For general information about communication and swallowing difficulties, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or follow your national health authority’s guidance.

Questions to ask a therapist

These questions can help you get the most from a first appointment:

  1. What did you notice today, and what would you like to look at more closely?
  2. What might support look like from here, and how often would sessions be?
  3. Is there anything we can do at home, and can you show us how?
  4. Will other professionals be involved, and how will everyone share information?
  5. How will we know whether things are changing, and when will the plan be reviewed?
  6. What should we watch for, and when should we get in touch sooner rather than waiting?

Frequently asked questions

Do we actually need to prepare, or can we just turn up?

You can simply turn up — nothing in this checklist is compulsory, and a first appointment still works well without any preparation. A few notes just make it easier to remember the details and examples that matter, and many people find the appointment feels calmer when they have written their questions down. Prepare as much or as little as feels manageable.

Will my child have to perform, or answer test questions?

No. Young children are never expected to perform, and therapists deliberately avoid anything that feels like an exam. Much of a first appointment with a child happens through play, chatting and familiar activities, and the therapist watches how your child communicates naturally. If your child is shy or quiet, that is useful information in itself, not a problem.

What if the appointment does not go as we hoped — my child was upset, or I could not say everything?

This happens often, and it does not spoil anything. Therapists plan for wobbly days and unfinished conversations. What you noticed at home still counts, and anything you forgot to say can be shared afterwards or at the next session. A first appointment is the start of a picture that builds over time, not a single chance to get everything right.

Can I bring someone with me to an adult appointment?

Yes, usually. A partner, family member or friend can be a real support — helping you remember what was discussed, sharing what they have noticed, and simply making the day feel easier. If you would prefer to come alone, that is equally fine. It is your appointment, and you can choose what feels right.

Speaking is difficult for me. How will I explain my concerns?

In whatever way works for you. You can bring written notes, write during the appointment, point to words or pictures, or use any communication aid you already use. Speech and language therapists work with people who communicate in many different ways, and they will give you time. Difficulty explaining is part of what the appointment is for — not a barrier to it.

What happens if we cannot attend, or we are running late?

Contact the service as soon as you can, using the details on your appointment letter or message, and they will explain what happens next. Life with children, illness and caring responsibilities is unpredictable, and services understand that. Letting them know helps them offer the time to someone else and rearrange yours.

A gentle next step

A first appointment is simply a first conversation — and you are already doing the hardest part, which is showing up. If you are still looking for the right support and would like to talk things through, you are very welcome to get in touch online. There is no obligation and no pressure: just a friendly first step, at your pace.

By Hamayal Adnan, Speech-Language Pathologist

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified speech and language therapist or other healthcare professional. Every person is different. If you have concerns about speech, language, feeding or swallowing, please seek professional advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

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