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When should families seek support?
Children’s speech and language development
A practical, reassuring guide to understanding communication development and knowing when professional advice may be helpful.
Request an appointmentSpeech and language: what is the difference?
Speech is how we produce sounds and words. Language is how we understand and use words, sentences and meaning. Communication also includes gestures, interaction, listening and social use of language.
Every child develops differently
Children develop communication skills at different rates, and multilingual children may use their languages in different ways. A single milestone does not diagnose a difficulty. What matters is the overall pattern of communication and any concerns you or your child’s educators notice.
Signs that may be worth discussing
Consider seeking advice if your child has difficulty understanding everyday instructions, has limited ways to express needs, is often hard for familiar listeners to understand, shows persistent speech disruptions, loses communication skills they previously had, or becomes frustrated when trying to communicate. These signs are reasons to ask questions, not diagnoses.
What a speech pathologist can do
A speech pathologist can listen to your concerns, consider your child’s communication in context and recommend whether an assessment, monitoring or targeted support may be helpful. Support can include strategies for parents and carers as well as direct sessions.
When to seek advice
You do not need to wait until school starts if you are worried. Discuss concerns with your GP, child and family health nurse, or a qualified speech pathologist. A loss of previously acquired skills warrants prompt professional advice.
How families can support communication
Follow your child’s interests during play, talk about what you are doing together, give time for responses, read and share stories, and respond positively to communication attempts. These ideas support interaction but do not replace individual clinical guidance.
Explore speech therapy options
Twinkling Allied Health offers mobile visits in Campbelltown and surrounding suburbs, including homes, schools and childcare centres, as well as online appointments where suitable. Contact us to discuss your child’s needs.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait and see if my child catches up?
If you have concerns, asking for professional advice early can help you understand whether monitoring or assessment is appropriate.
Does speaking more than one language cause a speech disorder?
Using more than one language does not itself cause a speech or language disorder. A clinician should consider all languages used by the child.
Is this page a developmental checklist or diagnosis?
No. This page provides general education and cannot assess or diagnose an individual child.
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us a little about your child and your preferred appointment format. All booking requests are subject to confirmation.
Request a speech therapy sessionOr email [email protected].
General information only; this page does not provide a diagnosis or replace individual advice from a qualified health professional.