SPEECH DELAY SUPPORT
PRODUCTS TO HELP WITH THERAPY AND AN ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR AUSSIE PARENTS OF KIDS WHO HAVE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DELAY
When people support each other incredible things happen
My youngest has speech delay. I didn’t seek help until he was over two and a half. I had the “She’ll be right” attitude, which I believe is a good attitude to have when it comes to child raising. Sometimes comparing children’s walking, teething, sleeping patterns, speech, etc. with other children can stress many mothers out. Especially as each child develops in their own time. However after many months of noticing he wasn’t reaching the milestones he should be, I sought out help and it confirmed what I suspected.
All well and good realising your child has speech delay, now what?
There are so many terms, acronyms, and things to learn when you are told your child has a developmental delay. It’s a new world of things that as a parent I hadn’t known or ever thought about. Sure you can google answers but it’s still a shock to the system. I believe a supportive environment always helps.
What’s the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”? Parents need help and support when navigating a new journey.
That is why I started the speech and language delay Australia Facebook community.
This is a community group for Australian Parents who have children with speech delay. For parents to support each other, share resources, ideas, stories, and tips during the journey of helping their little ones find their voices. There are over a 1000 parents in this group. Parents feeling overwhelmed with their child’s speech delay diagnoses do not need to be alone during the journey.
JOIN SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DELAY AUSTRALIA (PARENTS GROUP)
Through my son’s speech delay journey I have discovered the benefits arts and crafts has in helping implement speech therapy at home.
To assist kids with speech therapy there is an area dedicated to speech therapy art and craft activities in the Nat’s Nest arts and crafts memebers area.
Therapy at home
Here are some of our best porducts to help with speech therapy at home
Dot Markers – with speech sounds download
Sand Timer Set – 3 Piece 5,15 & 30 mins
Speech kits
Ultimate kids arts and craft kits
DIY calm down bottles
FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION
Talk with your child, sing, and encourage imitation of sounds and gestures. Point out colours shapes, and count what you see. Pay attention when your child talks and get their attention before you talk.
READ TO YOUR CHILD
Start reading to your child when they are a baby. Look for age appropriate soft or board books or picture books that encourage kids to look while you name the pictures.
USE EVERY DAY SITUATIONS
Talk your way through the day. Name foods at the grocery store, explain what you’re doing as you cook a meal or clean a room, and point out objects around the house. Keep things simple and avoid “baby talk”.
SEEK HELP EARLY
Recognizing and treating speech and language delays early on is the best approach. Visit your doctor if you have an concerns about your child’s speech and language development.
