Early Intervention Speech Therapy

What is Early Intervention Speech Therapy, and why is it important?

Early intervention is critical because the first few years of life are a sensitive period for brain development, during which young minds are highly adaptable and responsive to new learning through interactions with caregivers and their environment. By addressing communication challenges early, speech therapy can support future academic, social, and emotional success, giving children the foundational skills they need to thrive socially and in education settings.

This proactive approach also supports parents and caregivers by providing strategies to support communication and relational skills at home, further boosting your child’s development and confidence.

Early Intervention Speech Therapy can support children experiencing difficulties with:

Engaging and relating with others
Non-verbal communication (eye contact, gestures, social play)
Understanding language
Using words to express themselves
Using speech sounds clearly
Connecting confidently with others
Imagination and play skills

Signs your child might need Early Intervention Speech Therapy:

Identifying early signs of speech or language delays is key to ensuring your child receives timely support through Early Intervention Speech Therapy. While each child develops at their own pace, certain indicators may suggest a need for assistance, including:

Not babbling by 6 months of age

Difficulty using gestures such as pointing or waving by 12 months of age

Not using single words by 18 months, or putting 2 words together by 2 years

Struggling with listening and following instructions

Struggling with forming sentences

Noticeable frustration with communication

Challenges with social interaction

For further information about the development of early language skills in children, click here:

Speech therapy at an early stage can address these challenges, helping children develop vital communication skills that will support their growth, learning, social engagement and self esteem. If you observe any of these behaviours, a consultation with our speech therapist can help determine the best path forward for your child’s development.

Our Speech Pathologist is passionate about working with children 0-5 years and their families experiencing the following difficulties:

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Language delay (comprehension and use of language)

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD, previously known as Specific Language Impairment/Language Disorder)

Developmental delay

Speech delay and disorder

Social communication disorder

Sensory processing disorder

Benefits:

Speech therapy offers numerous benefits that support children in developing clear, confident communication skills from an early age. Speech Therapists work in collaboration with parents and caregivers to help children learn to express themselves more effectively, which builds their self-confidence and reduces frustration associated with communication barriers (which means better emotional regulation). This early guidance also promotes social skills, allowing children to engage more comfortably with peers and adults and enhancing their ability to form meaningful connections. Beyond language skills, speech therapy often improves listening and comprehension, setting the stage for future academic success. By fostering these essential abilities in a nurturing and encouraging environment, speech therapy equips children with the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Our Speech Pathologist is trained in and works closely with parents and caregivers using the following attachment-based approaches to support communication development:

Hanen ™ It Takes Two to Talk

DIR™ Floortime

Marte Meo (Practitioner level)

For more information about these approaches, please see the following links:

DIR Floortime: Parent Programs (create an account to access the Parent Toolbox webinars for free – an excellent resource)

What does assessment involve?

Our Speech Pathologist works in collaboration with parents and caregivers to gather information and assess children informally in play, or using formal speech and language assessments as required. Assessment with preschool children is usually fun and play based, to support children to be as comfortable in a new setting as they can be, and so their full range of communication abilities can flourish. Parents will also receive an online questionnaire to complete before attending their first appointment, to maximise time spent engaging with you and your child during the assessment process.

The Speech Pathologist will then analyse assessment information and collaborate with you to create goals to support your child’s communication needs. At TDT, we acknowledge that your relationship with your child is the most important relationship for their learning, growth and sense of safety in the world, so all therapy is tailored to support you, as their best therapist, in using the strategies and tools introduced in therapy sessions, at home.