Speech Therapy for School-Aged Children in Phnom Penh: It’s Not Too Late to Help

Many parents in Phnom Penh assume that if their child didn’t receive speech therapy during preschool years, they’ve missed the window. But that’s simply not true. Speech therapy for school-aged children remains highly effective—and in many cases, crucial for academic success, self-esteem, and social development.

At OrbRom Center, we regularly support children aged 6 to 12 who face communication challenges in the classroom and beyond. If your child is struggling to be understood, avoiding verbal participation, or showing signs of reading or language delays, now is the right time to act.

Common Signs of Speech and Language Challenges in Older Children

Children don’t always “grow out” of speech issues. In fact, untreated problems may worsen over time. Here’s what to look for:

• Unclear speech: Teachers or peers struggle to understand your child

• Word-finding difficulties: Your child knows the answer but can’t express it clearly

• Reading and writing struggles: May indicate underlying language processing challenges

• Avoidance of speaking: Especially in group discussions or presentations

• Difficulty following multi-step instructions

These signs are often linked to articulation disorders, language delays, or even undiagnosed learning differences, such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Want to understand more? Read our guide on communication and language disorders.

How Speech Therapy Supports Older Kids

At OrbRom Center, our therapy is not “babyish.” We design age-appropriate, engaging sessions that match your child’s developmental level and school expectations. Goals often include:

• Improving sound clarity for academic and social confidence

• Building sentence structure and grammar skills for writing

• Enhancing vocabulary for more advanced expression

• Strengthening auditory processing for better listening comprehension

• Reducing communication anxiety

We use structured programs, visual supports, and real-life communication tasks—such as mock presentations, reading aloud, and games that strengthen expressive and receptive language.

Explore the benefit of one-on-one teaching to help children stay focused and make measurable progress.

Academic Success Starts With Communication

Struggling to speak clearly affects more than just conversation—it affects school performance. Children with speech and language difficulties may:

• Score lower on written assignments due to weak language structure

• Fall behind in reading due to poor phonological awareness

• Avoid participation out of embarrassment

• Face emotional and behavioral challenges due to constant frustration

That’s why speech therapy in Phnom Penh is an essential support—not just a luxury—for students facing these hurdles.

Also consider a full academic assessment if your child is having widespread learning difficulties.

How OrbRom Center Supports Families

We understand that older children have busy school schedules and different therapy needs. That’s why we offer:

• After-school and weekend sessions

• Customized therapy plans targeting school-related challenges

• Collaboration with schools when appropriate

• Occupational therapy support for related handwriting, motor coordination, or sensory issues

• Coaching for parents to practice speech goals at home

Our therapy rooms are distraction-free and equipped with materials tailored to older learners—from story-building kits to visual grammar guides.

Also read how we help children improve pronunciation: Mastering Articulation Through Speech Therapy

It’s Never Too Late to Start

We often meet children who have “slipped through the cracks”—they didn’t qualify for support in preschool, or parents were told to wait. Years later, the issues remain—and the child feels frustrated and misunderstood.

The good news? Speech therapy works at any age. In fact, older children often make rapid progress once they receive individualized, focused support from a qualified therapist.

Final Thoughts: Give Your Child the Tools to Succeed

Clear communication builds academic achievement, friendships, and confidence. If your school-aged child is still struggling with speech or language, now is the time to get help. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our speech therapy programs are designed to meet your child where they are—and help them move forward, one word at a time.

Start Speech Therapy Today with OrbRom Center