What to do if you are concerned about your child
If you are at all concerned, you should contact your local speech and language therapy department and ask for an appointment.
Alternatively, your GP or Health Visitor will do this for you if you ask them.
Click here to find your SLT department |
There is often a waiting list for speech and language therapy appointments. This may be due to a large number of children needing appointments. In many areas there is a shortage of speech and language therapists.
For more information, you could contact Afasic. They have a helpline where you can get detailed information. It is open Monday to Friday 10:30am - 2:30pm. The number is 0845 3 55 55 77.
Another useful contact is National Parent Partnerships. Visit the website to find a person in your area who can provide advice and support for parents.
See some FAQs about help in the early years.
When is a good time to seek help?
A good time to seek advice is when you are concerned.
If you are worried about any aspect of your child's communication development, share your concerns. It may be useful to talk to your GP, Health Visitor or your child's teacher.
Getting advice from professionals may:
- Reassure you – if your child has minor difficulties that can be helped easily, or if your child's communication development is fine.
- Give you more ideas of ways to help your child's communication development.
- Lead to the right kind of help, if your child is having particular difficulties with their communication. Some children will continue to need support from Speech and Language Therapists, teaching staff or other professionals over a longer period of time.
However, waiting for appointments can sometimes be frustrating and add to your concerns.
Here are some ideas to help:
- Make a note of the sorts of things your child is having difficulty with. This can provide useful information when your child does get an appointment. Noting examples of what your child says or doesn't say can be really helpful.
- Help your child to develop and maintain their confidence. Even if a child is having lots of difficulties, there will be many things they are very good at. Supporting their attempts and celebrating their successes can help keep a child or young person confident.
- Talk to your child's playgroup, nursery or school. They can be aware of your child's needs and support them well. They can also tell you what your child is doing and learning and any ways you could support this at home.
- Look at the pages on ages and stages– there are some tips there which might be useful.
- Browse through our list of publications for more help.
If you are worried about any aspect of your child's communication development, share your concerns. It may be useful to talk to your GP, Health Visitor or your child's teacher. |