Watching your child grow and learn to talk is one of life's greatest joys. Each new sound, word, and sentence feels like a milestone worth celebrating. But what if your little one doesn't seem to be keeping up? Maybe they're quiet, hard to understand, or get frustrated when trying to express themselves.

It's natural to wonder whether that's just part of their unique pace, or if it could be time to explore speech therapy for children. This guide will help you understand the early signs your child might need speech therapy, how speech pathologists in Australia can help, and what steps to take next.

What does a speech pathologist do?

A speech pathologist (also called a speech therapist) is a trained allied health professional who helps people improve how they communicate, understand language, and use words clearly. They also support children with stuttering, social communication, or feeding difficulties.

In Australia, speech pathologists work in clinics, schools, hospitals, and community health settings. Many families also access services through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), which supports children with developmental delays or communication challenges.

If you'd like to understand how NDIS-funded supports can help families build communication and daily living skills, check out this article on NDIS therapy options for Improved Daily Living in 2025.

Speech and Language Milestones: What's Typical?

Understanding what's “normal” can be tricky since all children develop differently. But knowing general speech and language milestones helps you recognise when it might be time to ask for advice.

Babies (0–12 months)

  • Begin cooing and babbling around six months
  • Respond to familiar voices and simple sounds
  • Use gestures such as waving or pointing by their first birthday

If your baby isn't making any sounds or gestures by 12 months, speak with your GP or child health nurse.

Toddlers (12–36 months)

By two years old, most toddlers:

  • Say around 50 words or more
  • Start putting two words together (“more milk”, “go park”)
  • Can point to familiar objects when named

If your child mostly uses gestures instead of words or hasn't started combining words by age two, these may be early signs of a speech delay.

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

By this age, children can:

  • Speak in short sentences
  • Follow two-step instructions
  • Be understood by others most of the time

If your four-year-old is still very hard to understand, struggles to form sentences, or avoids talking, it's a good idea to ask for a speech and language assessment.

Early Warning Signs Your Child Might Need Support

Sometimes, parents are the first to notice that something's not quite right. Here are common signs your child could benefit from seeing a speech pathologist.

  • Difficulty understanding instructions: If your child often seems confused or doesn't respond when you ask them to do simple tasks like “get your shoes” or “come here,” they might be struggling with receptive language.
  • Limited vocabulary or late talking: Children who use fewer words than their peers or aren't putting two words together by two years old may need some extra help. Some children are “late talkers” who catch up on their own, but others have underlying language difficulties. A professional assessment can tell the difference.
  • Speech that's unclear or hard to understand: By age three, strangers should understand about three-quarters of what your child says. Persistent mispronunciations or speech that only family members can understand could point to speech sound delays. A speech therapist can identify whether this is part of normal development or something needing support.
  • Frustration or tantrums during communication: If your child knows what they want but can't express it clearly, they may become upset or withdraw from trying to talk. This frustration often signals a communication difficulty, not poor behaviour.
  • Lack of interest in social interaction: Avoiding eye contact, not responding to their name, or showing limited interest in interacting with others can be early indicators of broader communication challenges. In some cases, these signs overlap with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental differences, but only a professional can determine that.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

You don't need to wait for your child to “catch up.” If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and take action.

Step 1: Talk to your GP or child health nurse

They can check your child's hearing, rule out medical issues (like ear infections), and refer you to a speech pathologist if needed.

You can also self-refer directly to a private speech therapy clinic — no doctor's referral required.

Step 2: Explore your options for therapy

In Australia, you can access speech therapy through:

  • Public community health centres – often free or low-cost, but with longer wait times.
  • Private clinics – faster access and flexible scheduling, though at a cost.
  • NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) – available for children under seven who need developmental support, even without a formal diagnosis.

If your child also experiences attention or learning challenges, take a look at this article about Melbourne ADHD and developmental support guide for parents, it includes helpful NDIS resources and a free downloadable checklist.

Step 3: Understand the therapy process

A speech therapist begins with an assessment, usually play-based for young children to understand your child's strengths and challenges. From there, they'll design a therapy plan with practical strategies and home activities.

Progress depends on the child, but early therapy builds a strong foundation for learning and confidence.

How to Help Your Child at Home

Even before therapy begins, there's a lot parents can do daily to support speech and language growth.

  • Talk, talk, talk: Describe what you're doing throughout the day. For example: “We're cutting apples,” or “Let's find your blue shoes.” This builds vocabulary naturally through context.
  • Pause and listen: After asking a question, pause and give your child time to respond. Silence gives them a chance to find words and build confidence.
  • Read together every day: Choose short, colourful books and talk about the pictures. Repetition is key. Reading the same story often helps children learn new words faster.
  • Encourage play and pretend: Play kitchen, cars, or doctor, anything that involves imagination and conversation. Play is one of the best tools for developing communication skills.
  • Celebrate effort: When your child tries to say something, focus on encouragement instead of correction. “You said ball! Yes, it's a red ball!” reinforces effort and builds self-esteem.
  • Limit background noise: Too much noise from the TV or devices can make it harder for kids to focus on speech sounds. Try keeping the environment calm and distraction-free during conversations.

Accessing Allied Health Services in Australia

Australia offers several pathways to connect with speech therapy and allied health support.

You can access services through:

  • Mobile allied health providers across Melbourne like Roaming Therapy that offer NDIS-funded speech therapy and in-home support for children
  • Community health centres (check your local council's child health program)
  • Early Childhood Early Intervention providers (for children under seven)

If your child is eligible for NDIS funding, speech therapy sessions can be covered under “Improved Daily Living.”

You can also ask your GP about a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan, which may provide Medicare rebates for up to five allied health sessions per year.