Tarryn Dee and Renee Townson

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Speech Pathologists (SPs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) work across a broad range of areas with people of all ages—from infancy to the elderly. One area of specialty that some therapists focus on is Early Intervention, which supports preschool-aged children and their families.

What is Speech Pathology (SP)?

Speech Pathology, also called Speech Therapy, is a very broad area of practice. The name can be misleading—some parents think SPs only work on speech. While helping children pronounce sounds and words is part of our work, there’s much more!

Speech Pathologists are experts in communication and swallowing. We support children in areas such as:

• Developing and understanding language

• Learning social skills

• Speaking fluently if they stutter

• Reading and writing skills

We work with children at home, preschool, and childcare. Collaboration is key—SPs work closely with families and other professionals, including teams that provide kids occupational therapy, especially for younger children, to support communication development across all environments.

Tip for Parents: Speech Pathologists do much more than just speech. If you notice any concerns in your child’s communication, it’s worth seeking advice early.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Paediatric Occupational Therapists help children and adolescents achieve independence in daily activities.

For OT, “occupation” doesn’t just mean a job. It’s any role a person does throughout their day to grow and become independent.

For children, OTs focus on areas like:

• Self-care skills: dressing, feeding themselves, toileting, waiting

• Productivity skills for learning: holding a pencil correctly, attention and concentration at school

• Gross motor skills: running, jumping, climbing

• Social and play skills: engaging with peers, participating in play

Our goal is to help children develop confidence, self-esteem, social skills, and general well-being, supporting them to be as independent as possible.

Call-out Box: Independence is more than dressing or feeding—it’s about giving your child the tools to thrive in every part of their day!

What age is best to start Early Intervention?

If you have concerns about your child’s development, seek support early. As a parent, you know your child best, so if something worries you, follow up as soon as possible.

Why early intervention matters:

• Leads to better outcomes for children

• Supports family well-being

• Can help resolve issues more quickly

Speech Pathologists can support children from birth through childhood and beyond. We often encourage parents to bring toddlers from 12 months if there are any concerns. Some therapists start at 18 months, while others may see children earlier.

Tip for Parents: It’s never too early to start if you have concerns.

I think my child might benefit from seeing a therapist. Where do I start?

There are several ways to access OT or SP for your child:

1. Start with your GP

• Discuss your concerns and get a referral to a suitable specialist, either in the public or private sector

2. Keep in mind challenges in the process

• Sometimes families receive conflicting advice, like:

  • “Let’s wait and see”

  • “He’s a boy; they develop slower”

• Families may not get therapy until 1–2 years later

• While support is still helpful later, early intervention leads to better outcomes and may resolve issues more quickly

3. Seek a second opinion if needed

• You can see another GP or go directly to an SP or OT for advice

4. Access private services directly

• In private clinics, no GP referral is required

• You can call the clinic and make an appointment yourself

Call-out Box: Early intervention is key—trust your instincts and don’t wait if something feels off.

Weekly Family Tracker: Routines, Boundaries & Screen Time

Instructions: Use this tracker to monitor your child’s daily routines, screen use, and achievements. Tick off completed routines and add notes to track progress, successes, and areas needing extra support.

Key Takeaways for Parents

• Trust your instincts: You know your child best

• Act early: Early intervention leads to better outcomes

• Seek support: SPs and OTs can help children develop communication, independence, and social skills

Your child’s development is a journey—therapists can support every step of the way.

For more information or any questions, please visit us at www.mydiffability.com.au