My child is a late talker. Should we wait and see?

If you have a concern, it’s worth checking in rather than waiting. A speech pathologist can look at your child’s communication and let you know whether support would help.

What’s the difference between speech and language?

Speech is how clearly your child says sounds and words; language is understanding and using words. Some children understand plenty but say little, while others talk a lot but are hard to understand.

What should my child be saying at their age?

Every child develops at their own pace, and there’s a wide normal range. If you’re unsure, a speech pathologist can check in and reassure you or suggest support.

My child is hard to understand. Can you help?

Yes. We assess how your child is producing sounds and build playful goals to help them be understood, and coach you to practise at home.

Do you help with stuttering?

Yes. We support children who stutter with practical, playful strategies and work closely with families.

We speak more than one language at home. Is that a problem?

No. Growing up with more than one language doesn’t cause speech or language delay. We’ll take your child’s whole language environment into account.

Does screen time affect speech and language?

Everyday talking, play and reading together are the biggest boosts for language. We can share simple, realistic ideas that fit your family’s routine.

What does a speech session look like?

Mostly like play. We follow your child’s lead, build in playful goals, and share activities so practice fits into everyday moments at home.

How can I help my child’s language at home?

Get down to their level and follow their lead, model and expand on their words, pause to give them a turn, and read and talk about pictures together often.

When should we seek help?

If your child seems frustrated communicating, is hard to understand, isn’t using as many words as you’d expect, or you simply have a niggling concern, it’s always okay to check in.

How we help

Speech & language delay

If your child is a late talker or hard to understand, our speech pathologists can help, with playful, practical support you can carry into everyday life.

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Support from Speech Pathology
No diagnosis needed to start
NDIS · Medicare · Private

I strongly recommend to everyone Google review

Understanding speech & language delay

Children develop communication at their own pace, but sometimes talking, understanding language, or being understood by others takes longer than expected. This can show up as a late start with words, unclear speech, or difficulty following what’s said.

Speech and language are related but different. Some children understand plenty but say little; others talk a lot but are hard to understand. A speech pathologist can help work out what’s going on and where to focus.

Early support can make a real difference, and it doesn’t have to feel like hard work. Most of what we do looks like play.

Strengths first

Strengths we often see

Every child is unique. These are some of the strengths we regularly see and love to build on.

Many late talkers are strong communicators in other ways: pointing, gestures, facial expressions and actions

Many understand far more than they can say

Many are determined and keep trying to get their message across

Many are keen observers who learn a lot by watching

Many love play, books and songs, great ways in to building language

What you might notice

Signs you might notice

Every child is different. This is a general guide, not a diagnosis.

Fewer words than you’d expect for their age
Hard for unfamiliar listeners to understand
Understands more than they can say, or the reverse
Frustration when trying to communicate
Leaving off sounds or swapping one sound for another
Difficulty following instructions or answering questions

Trust your instincts

When to reach out

If your child isn’t using as many words as you’d expect, is hard for others to understand, or seems frustrated when trying to communicate, it’s okay to reach out. You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for advice. A speech pathologist can help you understand where your child is at.

Trust your instincts. It’s common to be told to “wait and see”, but getting advice early can give you practical ideas to use now, and help your child feel more confident communicating.

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How Scribble helps

A team around your child

Depending on what your child needs, one or more of our disciplines can help, and they talk to each other.

Speech Pathology

Assessing your child’s speech and language to see where to focus
Playful goals for talking, understanding and clear speech
Early literacy and pre-reading foundations
Coaching for you, so practice fits into everyday moments

About speech pathology

Who you'll work with

The team who support speech & language delay

Warm, experienced clinicians who love working with kids.

HannahSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
SajaSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
ThomasSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
Photo coming soon
AbigailSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
LucySpeech Pathologist
CherrySpeech Pathologist
JessicaSpeech Pathologist
BiancaSpeech Pathologist
JessicaSpeech Pathologist
JadeSpeech Pathologist
ShanyaaSpeech Pathologist
MeganSpeech Pathologist
TaylorSpeech Pathologist
AnnaSpeech Pathologist
SherlynSpeech Pathologist
Photo coming soon
PramSpeech Pathologist
HannahSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
SajaSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
ThomasSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
Photo coming soon
AbigailSpeech Pathologist – Supervisor
LucySpeech Pathologist
CherrySpeech Pathologist
JessicaSpeech Pathologist
BiancaSpeech Pathologist
JessicaSpeech Pathologist
JadeSpeech Pathologist
ShanyaaSpeech Pathologist
MeganSpeech Pathologist
TaylorSpeech Pathologist
AnnaSpeech Pathologist
SherlynSpeech Pathologist
Photo coming soon
PramSpeech Pathologist

Meet the whole team

Getting started

What support looks like at Scribble

1
Speech and language assessment
We get to know your child through play and some structured activities, and talk with you about how they communicate at home.
2
Clear, playful goals
We explain what we found in plain language and set goals together, such as new words, clearer sounds or following instructions.
3
Play-based sessions
Regular sessions build skills through games, books and toys your child enjoys, with coaching for you so practice fits into everyday moments.
4
Reviewing progress
We check in on progress, share ideas with kinder or school where helpful, and adjust goals as your child’s communication grows.

Clearing things up

Common myths about speech & language delay

There’s a lot of information out there. Here are a few things families often ask us about.

Myth
They’ll just grow out of it.
Some children do catch up on their own, but it’s hard to know which ones. Getting advice early can help you understand whether support may help, and give you ideas to use at home.
Myth
Using signs or pictures will stop my child from talking.
Signs, gestures and pictures support communication and can reduce frustration. They don’t stop children from learning to talk.
Myth
Speech delay is caused by something parents did.
Speech and language delays are not caused by parenting. Parents are, though, a key part of helping their child build communication skills.
Myth
Speech therapy is just drills at a table.
For young children, most speech therapy looks like play: games, toys, books and songs, chosen around your child’s interests.

At kinder & school

Working with educators

With your permission, we can share your child’s goals and simple strategies with kinder and school staff
We can suggest ways educators can support understanding, such as visuals, short instructions and extra time to respond
We can visit kinder or school to observe your child and support educators where helpful
We can help support early literacy, working alongside your child’s classroom learning

How we work in schools

At home

Things that can help at home

Small, everyday ideas you can try. Your therapist will tailor these to your child.

Get down to your child’s level and follow their lead in play
Model words back rather than correcting: “yes, a big dog!”
Pause and wait to give your child time to have a turn
Read together often, and talk about the pictures