Fast ForWord Australia
Builds the cognitive foundations that make learning possible.
Does this sound like your child?
- Bright, but schoolwork still feels harder than it should
- Struggles to remember what’s taught in class
- Has trouble listening or paying attention
- Finds reading and writing a real struggle
- Comes home exhausted from school, most days
- Has lost confidence in themselves as a learner
More tutoring. More practice. Still stuck?
If your child is struggling in one subject, extra support in that subject can make all the difference. But when the struggle shows up everywhere — reading, maths, following instructions, getting through homework — more of the same often doesn’t move the needle.
That’s usually a sign the issue isn’t the content. It’s one of the cognitive skills underneath it — like memory, attention, or how quickly the brain processes what it hears and reads. Skills that aren’t explicitly taught at school, and that tutoring isn’t designed to build.
Fast ForWord is built to work on exactly that layer.
What Fast ForWord actually trains
Five cognitive and language skills sit underneath almost all classroom learning. Fast ForWord trains them directly.
Memory
Holding instructions, sounds, and information in mind long enough to use them — the foundation for following directions, building reading skills and writing.
Attention
Processing
Sequencing
Tracking order — sounds in a word, words in a sentence, steps in an instruction — a skill that underpins reading, writing and following multi-step tasks.
Language
Understanding spoken and written language — vocabulary, grammar and meaning — the skill that turns processed sound into something a child can actually understand and use.
“Okay, but how does that actually help my child read?”
Fair question. Reading isn’t one skill — it’s built on top of the ones above.
To sound out a word, a child needs to process the sounds quickly and hold them in mind long enough to blend them — that’s processing and memory.
To read a sentence and follow it, they need to track the order of words and ideas — that’s sequencing.
To understand what they’ve read, not just decode it, they need the language skills to turn words into meaning.
To keep going through a whole book or a whole lesson, they need to sustain attention on something that doesn’t always feel rewarding yet.
That’s why training these skills directly can move reading forward — even though the exercises themselves don’t look like reading practice until the next stage, Fast ForWord Reading, is introduced.
The same logic applies to writing, maths, and following instructions at school — they all draw on the same underlying skills.
See what that actually looks like
To un-mute, use the volume control inside the video
To un-mute, use the volume control inside the video
Auditory memory
Auditory attention
Following instructions
Comprehension
Auditory processing speed
Auditory discrimination
Backed by real research. Not just a research page — over 300 of them.
Fast ForWord has been studied for more than 30 years, including research from Stanford University, Harvard Medical School and Rutgers University. It’s one of the most extensively researched learning interventions available — more rigorously studied than typical learning apps.
Dyslexia · Brain imaging
Brain scans of children with dyslexia showed more typical activity in reading-related brain regions after Fast ForWord — alongside measurable gains in reading and language skills.
Read more
Temple et al., 2003, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Stanford, Rutgers) · Gaab et al., 2007, Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience (Harvard Medical School, Stanford, Rutgers)
Auditory processing
Studies including controlled research from Auburn University and Rutgers found improved auditory processing and listening skills, with measurable changes in brain function.
Read more
Krishnamurti et al., 2013 · Heim et al., 2013 · University of Western Australia, 2004/2006
Australian schools
A randomised study across WA primary schools found students made significantly greater gains in literacy and language using Fast ForWord than a comparison group on the standard curriculum alone.
Read more
Corbitt et al., 2015, Open Science Journal of Education
Also studied in children with autism spectrum disorder, cochlear implants, and adults recovering from stroke or brain injury. See all the research →
It looks like a game. That’s on purpose.
Online — no driving anywhere, sessions happen at home
Adaptive — adjusts in real time to your child's level
30 minutes, 3+ days a week — built for time-poor families, not a daily commitment
Supported by our team, with regular check-ins on progress
Gamified — designed so kids actually want to do it
Daily progress scores so you can see it working
One program at a time, so focus stays clear
Fortnightly coaching calls with a program specialist
Fast ForWord Pricing
Monthly or annual plans, including fortnightly support consultations with a program specialist.
Monthly
$387
per month^
min. 3 months
Includes
- 24/7 access for 3 months (one program at a time)
- 24/7 access to training resources on our website
- 30 minutes per day
- Daily progress scores and weekly training summary report
- Email support as you need it
- Fortnightly coaching call with a program specialist
Annually (save 26%!)
$287
per month^
12 month course
Includes
- 24/7 access for 12 months (one program at a time)
- 24/7 access to training resources on our website
- 30 minutes per day
- Daily progress scores and weekly training summary report
- Email support as you need it
- Fortnightly coaching call with a program specialist
- Training summary report at the completion of training
Not sure which to choose? Book a free consult and we’ll help you decide.
FAQs
Do you have a question? Chances are someone has asked it before!
What is Fast ForWord?
Fast ForWord is a series of online computer exercises that train auditory processing, improve the ability to follow instructions, improve memory, attention, language, reading and writing. These exercises adapt to you, always giving you the right challenge level for you.
Does Fast ForWord really work?
This is a really important question to ask when you’re deciding on a program to use. Fast ForWord really works – it is one of the most highly researched programs out there – check out more on the research page.
What age is Fast ForWord for?
This program is generally suitable for students in Prep (Pre-Primary / Reception) and above. Suitability will depend on skill level. If you are unsure about your child’s suitability for the program please book a free professional consult.
Can I use my NDIS funding for Fast ForWord?
If it aligns with your plan and goals, Fast ForWord can be done as part of our therapy program for NDIS participants. We use video consultations with health professionals and engaging online activities to help you reach your goals.
How much does Fast Forword cost?
Fast ForWord pricing ranges between $287 – $387 per month, depending on the length of course you choose.
Does Fast ForWord come with a guarantee?
As health and education professionals, we adhere by relevant advertising standards which state we can’t guarantee a certain result (every brain is different!) What we do guarantee is to provide you with awesome, research-backed exercises and professional support to help you progress through the programs. We’re committed to helping you improve your skills and are always here to help throughout your program.
What technology do I need?
Fast ForWord programs can be used on most Windows and Mac computers through your internet browser (we recommend Google Chrome browser), as well as on iPad with iOS 11.3 or later. Fast ForWord is not compatible with android tablet devices. Headphones are recommended to help the student concentrate (we recommend stereo headphones that cover the whole ear, such as these ones from Altronics). Do not use active noise cancelling headphones or bone conduction headphones as they alter the sound signal. Parents monitoring their children should use a headphone double adaptor so they can also hear the sound.
Not ready to book a call?
Get the Fast ForWord info pack — everything you need to know, in one easy download.
Not sure if Fast ForWord is the right fit?
Book a free phone consultation with one of our experienced health professionals to get the advice you need.