Make sure that your talking is clear and easily understood. Try not to speak too quickly and keep your content simple and to the point. When giving instructions, check back with your child to make sure that they have understood and remembered what you have said – and if there are mis-understandings, this is the time to provide any corrections.

Remember that during the early years, speech and language go through
developmental stages and mistakes and errors are to be expected! If your child’s speech or language does not seem to improve over time or you are unsure if your child’s speech and language is age appropriate, talk to your GP, Maternal and Child Health sister or trusted teacher. If you are still unsure seek advice from a Speech Pathologist.

Stuttering is a disorder that does need to be dealt with quickly! However, it is common for some young children (between the ages of 1-4 years) to go through a stage of ‘normal dysfluency’ (talking is not fluent). This typically takes the form of word and phrase repetition (e.g. “mum mum can I go out to play”) and usually the child does NOT show signs of awareness or concern. This is different to a stuttering problem when sounds or parts of words are repeated (e.g. “mu mu mu mum can I go out and pl pl pl play”). Other stuttering behaviours include lengthening of a sound, blocking of sounds or alterations in facial expressions as well as expressions of concern from the child. Should your child demonstrate these behaviours then you should seek advice from a Speech Pathologist.

As mentioned earlier speech and language skills develop over time and go through various stages. Some children progress through these stages quickly and others more slowly. However, for some children progress through the
developmental stages is very slow and for some children assistance and specific intervention is required. If you note that your child has difficulties in communicating with others or is anxious and wanting to withdraw from interactions and communication it is time to seek some assistance.

The answer is ‘yes!’ Speech and language skills are one of the vital foundation skills of later academic abilities such as reading and writing. Children who have delays in oral language development often exhibit problems in acquiring reading and writing skills in addition to issues such as concentrating, listening and behavioural problems. School aged children who have been identified as being below grade level expectations in literacy and numeracy should have a speech and language assessment to see if oral language is contributing to the problem.

You should seek advice from a speech-language pathologist when you are concerned about the progress of your child’s speech and language skills. If you have a concern and have tried some of the strategies listed above and have seen no real change, then it is time to act!!

Following the assessment session, the speech pathologist will analyse the test results and then make some decisions regarding next steps. In some cases this will include the recommendation to commence a period of therapy, in other situations this will mean the recommendation for additional assessments by other appropriate health professionals. At times, successful outcomes from therapy will require ongoing liaison with other professionals such as teachers and other health professionals to ensure a consistent plan of action. In any case, all of the possible steps and recommendations will be discussed with you fully at the ‘feedback’ session.