Your trusted guide on your child's development journey. Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and DIR/Floortime in English, plus bilingual Turkish-English sessions for children growing up with both languages. Play-based, family-centred and in person at our centre in Beykent, Büyükçekmece, west Istanbul.
Looking for an English-speaking child therapist in Istanbul? We work with expat, international and mixed-nationality families, and with families who have moved here from abroad.
Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, autism, ADHD and learning support, and parent guidance.
For children growing up with Turkish and English, planned around your child's language profile.
Parent interviews, progress updates and home activities are all in English, so you always know what we are working on.
One centre in Beykent, Büyükçekmece, on the Beylikdüzü border. Every session is face to face.
Common in Istanbul. We look at both settings and plan sessions in English, Turkish or both, wherever your child needs support.
Common in mixed-nationality families. Bilingual sessions use both languages, in a balance planned around your child.
We ask about every language your child hears, then plan sessions in English or bilingual Turkish-English.
Mixing Turkish and English is common. See what is typical and when to ask for support.
Spotting developmental differences early and choosing the right therapy matters. Look through these signs, and ask for expert support if you are unsure.
Is your child using fewer words than peers, or struggling to express themselves?
Read Our Late Talker Guide →Not responding to their name, or seeming lost in a world of their own?
The DIR/Floortime Method →
Overreacting to sounds, touch or clothing labels?
Discover Sensory Integration →
Children who cannot pull away from screens may show signs often called "virtual autism".
Digital Detox Guide →
An attention programme for children who struggle to focus or stay seated.
Focus Programme →
Repeating sounds ("b-b-ball"), getting stuck on words or feeling anxious about speaking?
Fluent Speech Techniques →DIR/Floortime (the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based model) is a whole-child, evidence-based approach. Children learn through their own interests and at their own pace, not fixed drills. We follow your child's lead, join their play on the floor, build a secure bond and create circles of communication. Sessions and parent guidance are available in English.
Read the Full Method GuideWe step into your child's emotional world so they feel safe with us.
We use the games your child wants to play right now as a doorway to interaction.
We lengthen non-verbal exchanges through gestures, facial expressions and eye contact.
Common things parents notice, possible reasons behind them and the support we offer. Every programme is available in English.
| What You Notice | Possible Underlying Cause | Our Approach | Suggested Programme | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does not look when called, avoids eye contact | Weak social-emotional interaction, limited joint attention or difficulty processing sounds. | Building joint attention and circles of communication through play, starting from your child's interests. | DIR/Floortime Therapy | High |
| Past age 2 and not saying words | Speech motor planning difficulty, weak articulation or too little language input. | Mouth and tongue coordination work, play-based language input, vocabulary building. | Speech and Language Therapy | High |
| Upset by loud noises, covers ears | Over-sensitivity to sound (a sensory integration difficulty). | Building sensory tolerance, gradual desensitisation, sound regulation work. | Sensory Integration Therapy | Medium |
| Refuses certain food textures, picky eating | Touch sensitivity around the mouth or weak oral motor muscles. | Fun sensory play to get used to new foods, plus oral motor exercises. | Feeding Support & Occupational Therapy | Medium |
| Cannot sit still at a desk, always fidgeting | Seeking movement and deep pressure input, difficulty regulating attention. | Body awareness work and motor activities that balance the need to move. | Paediatric Occupational Therapy | Medium |
| Does not seem to understand, finds listening hard | Auditory processing difficulty or weak auditory attention. | Sound discrimination games and auditory attention training. | Auditory Therapy | Medium |
| Cannot put down the tablet or phone, tantrums | Too little social stimulation, the pull of instant screen rewards, or avoiding interaction. | Step-by-step screen reduction and parent-child play. | Screen Overuse Support & Floortime | High |
| Cannot join in play with other children | Slower social play development, difficulty sharing and taking turns. | Structured peer pairing and social communication sessions with a specialist. | Social Play Groups | Supportive |
Individual programmes led by DIR Floortime certified therapists and an experienced audiologist.
Evidence-based methods, built on your child's individual evaluation.
Parents are part of the process. We regularly share techniques you can use at home, in English.
A welcoming, play-based therapy setting where your child feels at ease.
From language development to sensory integration, from stuttering to school readiness: every service is available in English or as bilingual Turkish-English sessions. Each title leads to a detailed page.
Natural communication for children with autism or developmental differences, starting in their world.
Details →The model's developmental stages and circles of communication, explained.
Details →Step by step, from first evaluation to an individual programme.
Details →Social communication and joint attention for children on the autism spectrum.
Details →Play techniques for parents, so progress continues at home.
Details →DIR-based group play that builds interaction with other children.
Details →Evidence-based help for speech delay, articulation and phonological difficulties.
Details →Early support when speech lags behind other children the same age.
Details →Support with vocabulary, sentence building and understanding language.
Details →For sound errors such as "tat" for "cat": we build speech muscle control.
Details →Breathing, pace and attitude work for fluent, confident speech.
Details →Hoarse, husky or very nasal voices, and healthy voice use.
Details →Whole-child language and communication support for children on the autism spectrum.
Details →Mixing languages, late talking and bilingual Turkish-English sessions.
Details →Fine and gross motor skills for dressing, eating and play.
Details →Easing sensory sensitivities so daily life feels manageable.
Details →Pencil grip, scissors and other hand skills.
Details →Balance, coordination and large muscle use through play.
Details →Reversed letters, heavy pencil pressure and other writing problems.
Details →Making sense of shapes, space and letters.
Details →Independence in dressing, eating and toilet training.
Details →Attention regulation for children with a short attention span.
Details →Academic and social readiness before school starts.
Details →Individual programmes for autism, ADHD and learning difficulties.
Details →Whole-child, individual support for children on the autism spectrum.
Details →Focus and behaviour regulation for children with ADHD.
Details →Cognitive support for reading, writing and maths.
Details →Home techniques and managing the therapy process.
Details →Regular guidance to keep progress going at home.
Details →Working through feelings children cannot yet put into words.
Details →Let us find the best path for your child together, starting with a first evaluation.
A simple, clear path for parents, in English from the first call.
Tell us what you have noticed by phone or WhatsApp. We book a first meeting at our centre.
We get to know your child through play-based observation and a detailed parent interview.
A session plan that fits your child's sensitivities, development and languages.
Methods to use at home and regular progress updates, in English.
We do not use standardised test batteries or screening tools. We assess through observation, play and a detailed conversation with you.
Your child's development, daily routines, history and your concerns.
How your child plays, communicates and moves, and responds to sound and touch.
Which languages your child hears at home and at school, and how they use each.
What we observed and a suggested therapy plan, explained in English.
Founder · DIR Floortime Therapist · Specialist Audiologist (MSc)
Alev graduated in Audiology from Istanbul Gelisim University and completed her specialist master's degree at the same university. She then specialised in DIR/Floortime through the DIR 101 and 201 Floortime therapy courses and Floortime supervision training.
She gained hands-on experience at a university hospital and a training and research hospital in Istanbul, and at several special education and rehabilitation centres. Today she supports children with autism, speech delay, stuttering and screen overuse, using play-based, family-centred and evidence-based methods. Families can talk through every step with our team in English.
More About Us
Visit us in Beykent, Büyükçekmece, and book a first evaluation in English or bilingual Turkish-English.
Real Google Maps reviews from our parents, translated from Turkish.
"A very talented and valued therapist helped my son make real progress with his stuttering. Her detailed feedback after every session helped us come a long way."
"My daughter had a serious stutter. After about three months we saw her getting better, and now I can say she no longer stutters."
"We are continuing Floortime with my 4-year-old autistic child. Our joint attention has grown and our eye contact is much better."
"My child had a speech disorder. We made good progress, and quickly. They are among the most successful people I have seen in their field."
"Thanks to the sensory integration sessions, my daughter's overactivity and sensitivity to sound have settled. She is now much calmer and more focused in class."
"Our son was not making eye contact because of screen addiction. Through play therapy sessions and guidance, he came back to the real world. We are very grateful."
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Our centre is in Beykent, Büyükçekmece, right on the Beylikdüzü border. English-speaking and bilingual families come to us from these districts.
Cumhuriyet Mah. Yıldıray Çınar Sk. No:21 D:1, Beykent, 34520 Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, Türkiye
+90 537 373 44 19
bilgi@cocuklaakademi.com
Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 18:00
Yes. Every therapy we offer is available in English: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, autism, ADHD and learning support, parent guidance and home programmes. Family meetings and progress updates are in English too.
Yes, for children growing up with Turkish and English. We plan them around your child's language profile: the languages used at home and at school, and how your child uses each one. If your child hears Turkish at school and English at home, we decide together after the first evaluation whether sessions are in English, in Turkish or bilingual.
We have one centre: Cumhuriyet Mah. Yıldıray Çınar Sk. No:21 D:1, Beykent, 34520 Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, Türkiye, right on the Beylikdüzü border. Families come to us from Büyükçekmece, Beylikdüzü, Bahçeşehir, Avcılar, Silivri, Esenyurt and Çatalca. All sessions are in person; we do not offer remote therapy.
Sessions take place at our centre, so your child can attend while you are in Istanbul. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we can plan.
All therapy sessions last 40 minutes, Floortime included, and individual sessions are one-to-one. Afterwards we tell you what we worked on and give you activities for home, in English.
Mainly for children with autism spectrum disorder, and for children with social interaction and communication difficulties, developmental delays or attention difficulties. It builds a secure bond and helps the child climb the developmental stages.
The room has swings, climbing walls, trampolines and other tactile and vestibular equipment. Through therapist-guided activities, children learn to regulate their sense of movement and deep pressure.
Play-based work on independence in daily life, fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory integration, balance and motor planning.
We talk with you about your child's developmental history, in English. Then we observe your child in structured play to look at language, speech, motor and sensory skills. We do not use standardised tests. The result is a therapy roadmap for your child.
Fees depend on the therapy your child needs and on the evaluation results. For details and appointments, contact us on WhatsApp or by phone.
Family involvement is the most important part of successful therapy. To make progress last, we share play strategies and routines you can use at home.
DIR/Floortime, evidence-based speech and language therapy techniques and sensory integration approaches are all grounded in neuroscience research and child development theory.
The brain is especially adaptable in the early years, and early support lays the groundwork for school and beyond. Book a first evaluation at our centre in Beykent, in English or bilingual Turkish-English.
Çocukla Akademi is an education and development centre. This page offers general information only and is not for diagnosis or treatment. Please talk to our specialists about your child's needs.
