Speech Delay Therapy in Dubai
Child-led therapy for late talkers and children with speech and language delay, from a DHA-licensed paediatric clinic in Dubai Healthcare City. AED 150–199 a session, no referral needed.
Speech delay therapy at Starwalkers Clinic starts with a play-based speech and language assessment, then weekly one-to-one sessions built around your child’s interests, with you in the room and coached as the most important part of the plan. We are a DHA-licensed paediatric clinic in Dubai Healthcare City (Al Razi Medical Complex, Building 64), founded by speech-language therapist Nazma Sheikh. Sessions cost AED 150–199, or AED 1,999 for a 10-session package, in clinic or online across the UAE. No referral or diagnosis is needed to start.
Is it a speech delay?
Every child develops at their own pace, but some patterns are worth acting on rather than waiting out. As a rough guide, book an assessment if your child has few or no words at 18 months, fewer than 50 words or no two-word phrases at 2, is hard for strangers to understand at 3, or mostly repeats phrases from TV and books rather than building their own sentences at any age. A child who has lost words they used to say should be seen promptly at any age.
We have written straight answers for each age: not talking at 2, not talking at 3, not talking at 4, and speech delay or autism — how to tell the difference.
“Wait and see” is the advice most parents are given, and it is the advice we most often see cost families a year. Early support never hurts a child who would have caught up anyway, and it changes the path for a child who would not.
What speech delay therapy involves at Starwalkers
Assessment
A play-based speech and language assessment with a detailed parent interview, observation of how your child communicates now — sounds, gestures, words, scripts — and standardised measures where useful. You get a clear explanation of findings and a plan, not jargon.
Therapy built on your child’s interests
Sessions are one-to-one and child-led. If your child loves cars, therapy happens around cars. We work on understanding, first words, word combinations and clear speech through play your child actually wants to be part of, because connection is what language grows out of.
Parent coaching at the centre
An hour a week of therapy is a fraction of your child’s waking week. We coach you in the strategies that work for your child so language learning happens at mealtimes, in the car and at bedtime — which is why our families often need fewer sessions over time, not more.
Review against goals
Therapy runs in blocks with a review at the end of each, so you always know what we are working on, what has changed and whether to continue, pause or step down to home strategies.
If your child repeats phrases rather than building sentences: some children learn language in chunks — whole phrases from TV, books or favourite people — and need a different therapy approach called Natural Language Acquisition. Starwalkers specialises in gestalt language processing therapy, and founder Nazma Sheikh is the first certified NLA-trained therapist for Gestalt Language Development in Asia.
If your child is not yet speaking at all: we are one of the few Dubai clinics doing detailed AAC assessment and device trials, and communication devices support speech development rather than replacing it. See also speech therapy options for nonverbal children.
Who provides speech delay therapy at Starwalkers
Therapy is provided by our team of DHA-licensed speech-language therapists: founder Nazma Sheikh (SLT, NLA-trained, has guided over 1,000 parents and professionals), Shadha Shebin (Senior SLT — AAC, NLA, feeding and apraxia), Nasreen (SLP — OPT Levels 1 and 2, PROMPT, early intervention) and Mizha Fathima (SLP — AAC, NLA Professional Competence Training, CAS Practitioner). Meet the full team on our team page. Therapy is child-led and neurodiversity-affirming; we do not use ABA. The clinic is open Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
What it costs
Starwalkers publishes its prices. Speech therapy sessions are AED 150–199, or AED 1,999 for a 10-session package — against a Dubai private market that typically runs AED 250 to 600 a session. Assessment fees and how UAE insurance treats paediatric therapy are explained on our speech therapy cost in Dubai page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes speech delay in toddlers?
There is rarely one cause. Hearing problems such as glue ear, differences in how a child processes language, autism, general developmental delay and family history can all play a part, and many late talkers have no identifiable cause at all. Bilingual homes do not cause speech delay. An assessment works out what is going on for your child specifically.
When should I start speech delay therapy?
As soon as you are concerned. If your child has few or no words at 18 months, no two-word phrases at 2, or has lost words at any age, book an assessment rather than waiting. Early support never harms a child who would have caught up on their own, and it changes the path for a child who would not.
Is speech delay a sign of autism?
Sometimes, not always. Many children with speech delay are not autistic, and many autistic children also have speech or language differences. The pattern around the delay — pointing, shared attention, play, response to name — is what tells the story. Our speech delay or autism guide walks through the differences, and an assessment gives you clarity either way.
How long does speech delay therapy take to work?
It depends on the child, which is why we work in blocks with a review at the end of each. Many families see changes in engagement and communication within the first block; building spoken language takes longer. Any clinic that promises a fixed timeline before assessing your child is guessing.
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis to start?
No. You can book a speech and language assessment at Starwalkers directly, without a referral or any diagnosis. If your insurance requires a referral for reimbursement, check that before the first session.
How much does speech delay therapy cost in Dubai?
At Starwalkers, sessions are AED 150–199, or AED 1,999 for a 10-session package, published openly. Most Dubai clinics charge AED 250–600 a session.
Do you offer speech delay therapy online?
Yes. Parent coaching and much of the language work translate well online, and we see families across the UAE. Very young children usually do best with a blend of in-clinic sessions and coached home practice.
Where are you located?
Dubai Healthcare City: 214-C, 2nd floor, Block B, Al Razi Medical Complex (Building 64). We are open Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
Parent guides
Straight answers to the questions parents in Dubai ask us most.
- My 2-year-old isn’t talking yet. Should I worry?
- My 3-year-old isn’t talking. Should I be worried now?
- My 4-year-old isn’t talking. What are our options?
- Speech delay or autism? How to tell the difference
- My child doesn’t respond to their name
- My child repeats TV lines and everything I say
- My child is nonverbal: speech therapy options
- How much does speech therapy cost in Dubai?
- Speech therapy in Dubai: 15 clinics compared
Worried about your child’s speech?
Tell us your child’s age and what you have noticed. We will give you a straight answer about the next step, even if the answer is that you do not need us yet.
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