Understanding It
What Speech and Language Delay Means
Speech is how a child produces sounds and how clearly they can be understood by others. Language is how a child understands and uses words, sentences, and gestures to communicate. Some children experience difficulties with speech, some with language, and some with both.
Every child develops communication skills at their own pace. Sometimes a child who is slower to develop these skills simply needs more time, and sometimes they need additional support. The challenge is that it can be difficult to tell the difference without professional assessment.
This is why early assessment is so valuable. When concerns are identified early, families can gain reassurance if development is progressing as expected, or access support sooner if it is needed. Early intervention gives children the best opportunity to build strong communication skills and thrive at home, in education, and in everyday life.
Rough guide to what's expected
Every child develops at their own pace, and these are guides rather than rules:
- 12 months: babbling, gestures such as pointing and waving, responding to their name, a first word or two
- 18 months: around 10 to 20 words, following simple instructions, pointing to show you things
- 2 years: around 50 words, starting to combine two words, understood by familiar adults about half the time
- 3 years: short sentences, asking questions, understood by unfamiliar adults most of the time
- 4 years: longer sentences, telling simple stories, largely understood by everyone
When to Act
When to Seek Help
Speak to your GP, child health nurse or a speech pathologist if your child is not babbling by 12 months, has no words by 18 months, has fewer than 50 words or no two-word combinations by 2 years, is difficult for family to understand at 3 years, or you have concerns at any age: parental concern is a reasonably good predictor.
Seek prompt medical assessment if your child:
- Loses skills they previously had — words, gestures or social engagement. Regression at any age needs prompt paediatric review, not monitoring
- Does not respond to sound or their name — hearing assessment should be arranged. Hearing should be checked for any child with delayed speech, including after repeated ear infections
- Does not consistently share attention, interests, or enjoyment with others, or show interest in interacting with people around them
- Has difficulty with feeding, frequent coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Has stopped babbling or vocalising
How We Help
How Our Team Can Help
Our approach with young children is strongly parent-focused. While therapy sessions are important, meaningful progress happens in everyday moments at home, childcare, school, and in the community. By working closely with families, we support communication strategies that can be woven naturally into daily life.
Speech Pathology
Assessment of understanding, expression, speech sound production and social communication; therapy targeting the specific areas of difficulty; and coaching for parents, because what happens between sessions matters more than what happens in them.
Occupational Therapy
Where play skills, sensory processing, attention or fine motor development are also affected, which is common. Communication develops through play and interaction, so these areas often need addressing together.
We recognise that children develop and communicate in diverse ways. Our role is to understand each child's unique communication profile, identify their strengths and support needs, and provide practical recommendations that help them participate more effectively in the environments that matter most to them.
We do not diagnose autism or other developmental conditions, as this requires a multidisciplinary assessment overseen by a paediatrician or other appropriately qualified medical specialist. Where our assessment identifies developmental differences or areas that may benefit from further investigation, we will discuss these with families and support referral to appropriate services.
Starting Out
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Assessment begins with a conversation about your concerns, your child's strengths, and their developmental history. We then observe your child communicating, playing, and interacting in ways that feel natural and comfortable for them. For young children, some of the most valuable information comes from play-based observation rather than formal testing.
Following the assessment, you will receive a clear understanding of your child's communication profile, including their strengths, areas where they may benefit from additional support, and practical strategies you can begin using straight away. If we feel another service, such as an audiologist or paediatrician, should be involved, we will discuss this with you and help guide the next steps.
Ready to book?
Ready to get started?
Contact inOne Healthcare on 1300 765 456 or submit a referral online. Speech and language development is supported by our Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy teams. Our intake team can talk through which funding pathway is likely to apply.
info@inonehealthcare.com.au
Flexible Options
Funding we accept.
NDIS
Medicare
Private
Free 20min Consultation
Unsure what support you need, or have funding enquiries? Book a free 20-minute telehealth consultation with our team.
Every child is different, so the length of therapy varies depending on their strengths, communication profile, goals, and support needs. Following assessment, your speech pathologist will discuss their recommendations, including whether therapy is likely to be beneficial, the suggested frequency of sessions, and the goals to focus on. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure therapy remains appropriate, meaningful, and aligned with your child's needs and your family's priorities.