Should I be worried?
If something doesn’t feel quite right, trust your instincts. A short conversation often provides reassurance — and where support is needed, starting early makes a real difference.
As a parent, it's natural to wonder whether your child's speech, language or communication is developing as expected. You may have heard well-meaning comments such as:
- "They'll talk when they're ready."
- "He'll grow out of it."
- "She'll learn those sounds once she starts school."
- "His dad didn't talk until he was four."
- "Stuttering is normal."
- "It's because they're bilingual."
Sometimes these statements are true. Sometimes they delay a child getting support that could make a real difference.
Not every concern means therapy is needed
The good news is that not every worry means a child needs speech and language therapy.
The reason I encourage parents to seek advice early is simple: it is much easier to reassure a family that everything is developing as expected than it is to discover months or years later that a child has missed the opportunity for early support.
Many parents contact me because they are worried about their child's communication. Often, once we have talked through their child's development, I can reassure them that their child is following a typical pathway and that an assessment isn't needed at this stage. I'll also suggest activities and strategies to support their communication at home.
Every child develops differently
Sometimes, as we talk more about your child's communication, learning, development and family history, it becomes clear that an assessment would be worthwhile.
Other times we simply decide to keep an eye on things and review progress later. I'll give you advice and practical strategies to support your child while you continue to watch how they develop.
There is no such thing as a silly question
If something doesn't feel quite right, trust your instincts and get in touch. A short phone conversation often provides reassurance — and where support is needed, early intervention gives children the best opportunity to develop strong communication skills.
Research consistently shows that early intervention leads to better outcomes. Starting therapy early can reduce frustration, support confidence and, in many cases, mean that less therapy is needed overall.
If you're concerned, I'd be happy to listen. Together we can decide whether your child would benefit from an assessment, or whether reassurance is all that's needed.
Is your child…
If you answered yes to one or more of these, I’d love to help.
- Difficult to understand, even for people who know them well?
- Not talking as much as other children their age?
- Using fewer words, or a smaller vocabulary, than their peers?
- Finding it hard to understand what you tell them, or to follow directions?
- Struggling to think of the right words to use?
- Having trouble saying the correct sounds in words?
- Getting frustrated because others don't understand them?
- Stuttering, or repeating sounds and words?
- Struggling to learn to read or spell?
- Finding it hard to make friends or play with other children?
I’d be happy to listen
Book a free 15-minute phone call. Together we can decide whether your child would benefit from an assessment — or whether reassurance is all that’s needed.