Early Intervention in Speech Therapy: Why Is It So Important?

As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their growth and development. One of the most important areas of development is communication. When children struggle to speak or understand language, it can impact many areas of their lives—social interactions, learning, and even their confidence. That’s why early intervention in speech therapy is so crucial.

What is Early Intervention?

Early intervention simply means getting help as soon as you notice a delay or difficulty in your child’s speech or language development. It’s about catching those challenges early so that we can work on them before they become bigger issues. We hear others make comments like “she will grow out of it” or “he’s a boy, they take a little longer” but we never know what our child will be like and if they are going to need help. Our advice – you’re better to reach out for help than wish you had received help sooner.

Why Act Early?

1. Brain Development - The early years are a critical period for brain development. In the younger years, a child’s brain is more adaptable and can learn new skills faster. Speech therapy taps into this critical window, helping your child develop the communication skills they need while their brain is most ready to learn.

2. Preventing Future Challenges - If left unaddressed, speech and language delays can lead to difficulties in school, difficulties making and keeping friendships, and even emotional development. Early therapy can prevent these challenges from becoming long-term struggles.

3. Boosting Confidence - When children can communicate effectively, they feel more confident in social settings and everyday situations. By addressing speech and language issues early, we can help build your child’s self-esteem and independence.

Signs Your Child May Need Early Intervention

Every child develops at their own pace and it depends on their up-bringing and environment, but here are some things you might be thinking, indicating that your child may benefit from speech therapy:

• My child isn’t saying words at 18 months or older

• My child doesn’t understand simple instructions

• My child says very few words compared to other children their age

• Other people (and even sometimes I) find my child difficult to understand

• My child gets frustrated when trying to communicate

• I wonder if speech therapy might help

How Can Speech Therapy Help?

Speech therapy focuses on improving your child’s communication skills. This may include things like:

• Helping them pronounce sounds correctly

• Expanding their vocabulary

• Teaching them how to understand and follow directions

• Improving social skills like making eye contact, taking turns, and sharing thoughts

The Sooner, the Better

If you suspect your child is having difficulty with their speech or language development, it’s never too early to seek help. Early intervention can make a huge difference in their long-term success.

Other considerations

Many clinics in the area have a waitlist, some at least 6-12 months before your child might be seen. While this is disheartening, think of it as the time you might commit to doing what you can to support your child’s communication and seeing if they really do need help. You may choose to join as many waitlist as you can as you just don’t know who will be able to see you first. Have a list written down of the clinics you have contacted and where you’ve put your child onto a waitlist. This will make it easier for you to follow up with them.

Have you considered telehealth? While some feel their child won’t engage with a therapist online, it is 110% worth a try. Speechies are really creative and will be able to work with you to make it work, at any age. There are several ‘telehealth only’ therapy practices across Australia, some with capacity immediately. You might be able to transfer to a local therapist if/when they have availability but please work with your telehealth therapist to work this out.

Remember to be kind and share joy!

-            Allanah (Speech Therapist)