Late talking

Some children take longer than others to start using words, or to put words together. If you are wondering whether your child is a late talker, you are not alone, and you do not have to wait and wonder by yourself. Our Speech Pathologists work with young children and their families at our Burleigh Waters and Hope Island clinics on the Gold Coast, and by telehealth.

Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.

Why talking can take longer

Talking draws on many skills at once: hearing well, understanding words, wanting to share an idea, and planning the movements of the lips, tongue and jaw. Children usually understand more than they can say. Many children communicate a lot before they talk, with looks, sounds, pointing, gestures and taking you by the hand. All of this is communication, and it is worth noticing and answering.

Every child develops at their own pace, and there is no single reason a child talks later. Sometimes there is a clear reason, such as a hearing difference, and sometimes there is not. Growing up with more than one language is not, on its own, a reason for late talking; keep using the languages your family uses at home.

Signs parents notice

These are things families often mention. They are not a checklist and they do not mean something is wrong. If you are unsure, a chat with reception is a good first step.

Sounds and gestures

Does not babble much, or babbles less than they used to.
Does not often look at you, point, wave or use other gestures to share or ask for things.
Does not seem to react to sounds, or to turn when you call their name.

Using words

Uses fewer words than other children their age, and new words are slow to come.
Mostly points, pulls you by the hand or cries to ask for things, rather than using words or signs.
Uses single words but is not yet putting words together.
Speaks in short or incomplete sentences, or finds it hard to tell you about their day.
Gets very frustrated when they cannot get their message across.

Understanding and being understood

Seems not to understand simple words or requests in everyday routines.
Finds questions, stories or instructions hard to follow.
Is hard for family members or educators to understand.

When to see your GP first: if your child stops using words or skills they had before, if you have any worries about their hearing, or if they have had a lot of ear infections, please see your GP. Your GP can arrange a hearing check, which is a common first step when a child is talking later than expected.

How we help

Sessions are play-based, and parents are a big part of them, because most talking practice happens at home in everyday moments. Depending on your child’s goals, your therapist may:

show you ways to follow your child’s lead in play and join in at their level;
coach you to comment on what your child is doing, rather than asking lots of questions;
model simple words and short phrases, then pause and wait so your child has time to take a turn;
build on what your child says (if your child says “car”, you might say “a big red car”);
use everyday routines, such as meals, bath time and getting dressed, and shared books, as chances to talk;
add gestures, Key Word Sign or pictures alongside speech, if they would help your child get their message across. See AAC, communication devices and Key Word Sign.

Parents are always involved, especially for children under 8. Our approach relies on working with you, so we are probably not the right service if you are looking for drop-off therapy.

Where. At our Burleigh Waters clinic (Treetops Square, 2 Classic Way), our Hope Island clinic (8 Halcyon Way), or by telehealth at home. We also do some school, childcare and home visits where possible and clinically suitable; a travel fee applies.

Practice between sessions. Our Therapy Assistants can practise your child’s speech and language goals at home, at childcare or out in the community, following a plan written by their Speech Pathologist.

Which therapist your child will see

A Speech Pathologist. All our Speech Pathologists are Certified Practising Speech Pathologists (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia. Several of our Speech Pathologists have training in Hanen programs for parents of young children, such as It Takes Two to Talk.

If your child also has feeding, play or other needs, our team works under one roof and can plan together. See Speech Pathology for everything our Speech Pathologists work on.

What a first visit looks like

Send a referral through our contact form, call 07 5559 9888 or come in and see reception. You do not need a letter from a GP.
We send you an intake form about your child, what support they may need, and their strengths and interests.
Our Directors read it and match your child with a therapist suited to their needs. Some families have an intake meeting with a Director first to set goals together. Depending on waitlists, your child is booked in or placed on the waiting list.

Your first appointment. The first Speech Pathology appointment is a little longer, so your therapist can get to know your child: 60 minutes face to face, plus time afterwards for notes, follow up and therapy planning. It may include talking with you about how your child communicates now, playing with your child, and watching how they understand and use words, sounds and gestures. Your therapist may also use a standardised assessment. You know your child well, so your goals shape the plan. Prices are on Therapist Fees.

Ideas to try at home

Before children use words, they usually build the skills words sit on top of: looking at you to share an interest, taking turns in back and forth play, using gestures such as pointing, waving or reaching, understanding words for familiar people and routines, and hearing well enough to pick up speech. These ideas support those skills and the first words that follow.

Play people games. Peekaboo, round and round the garden and tickle games are simple back and forth games your child can learn to join in and ask for again.
Copy your child. Join in with what they are doing and watch how they respond. Children often start to interact once they notice you are interested in their play.
Create a reason to communicate. Put a favourite snack or toy in a clear container with the lid on, or hold on to the next piece of a puzzle, then wait. Your child may look, point, reach or make a sound to ask.
Follow your child’s lead. Children pick up words more easily when the words are about things they care about. If your child points to a dog, give them the words: “Dog! You can see the dog!”
Talk through your day. Describe what you are doing and what your child is doing: “Let’s put on your shoes. Foot in, now the laces.”
Keep your words simple. Use one or two words at a time, such as “ball”, “car” or “mummy”, and show what they mean: point as you name something, or say the action word while you do it.
Get down to their level. Being face to face helps your child see your expressions and your mouth as you speak.
Mix up the words you use. As well as names of things, try action words (bounce, kick, roll, give), location words (up, down, in, under) and describing words (big, red, fast, slow).
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Children need to hear the same words many times before they use them. Pick a few key words for each routine. Bedtime: book, bed, sleep, cuddle. Bath time: bubbles, wash, splash, dry. Mealtimes: eat, drink, open, more, finished.
Pause in songs. Once a song is familiar, stop before a key word and look at your child expectantly: “We all fall ___”. Over time your child learns the pause is their turn, whether they fill it with a look, a gesture, a sound or a word.
Share books your child’s way. You do not need to read every word or go from start to finish. Sit face to face, let your child choose the pages, and name what they point to: “Mouse. It’s a mouse!”
Try Key Word Sign. Using a sign with a spoken key word gives your child something to see as well as hear. See AAC, communication devices and Key Word Sign.

What it costs and how funding can help

Fees. The first Speech Pathology appointment is $290.70 (60 minutes face to face, plus 30 minutes for notes, follow up and therapy planning). After that, a standard session is $209.95 (65 minutes billed: 50 minutes face to face, plus 15 minutes for planning, preparation, notes and session summaries). Reports are written outside the session and charged at your therapist’s usual rate.

Therapy Assistants. $56.16 per hour when your child’s therapist supervises directly, or $86.79 per hour when the Therapy Assistant works on their own with your child at home, childcare or in the community (Therapy Assistant Fees).

NDIS. If therapy is in your child’s NDIS plan, the cost may be covered by the plan. We see self-managed and plan-managed clients, not NDIA-managed plans.

Medicare. With a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, Medicare pays back approximately $63.40 per session (as of 1 July 2026) for up to 5 sessions a calendar year. Your GP decides whether your child is eligible. You can claim eligible rebates on the spot at reception.

Private health. With extras cover that includes therapy, you may be eligible for a rebate. The amount depends on your cover, so check with your fund.

For a worked example and an estimate calculator, see What will I pay?. NDIS, Medicare or private health explains each option.

Group programs that fit

This term (Term 4 2026) our current group is the Prep Readiness Group, for children getting ready to start school: see Getting ready for Prep. Our summer school holiday programs are being finalised. See Workshops and Groups for what is on, or call 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au to register interest.

Questions families ask

Should we wait and see?

Many families are told to wait and see. If you are worried, it is always fine to ask. A Speech Pathologist can look at how your child communicates now and talk with you about whether therapy, ideas for home, or checking back later suits your child. Asking early does not commit you to therapy.

Do I need a referral or a diagnosis?

No. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to start therapy with us: you can refer your child yourself, and most families do. A referral, such as a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, is only needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate. See Funding.

Will using signs or pictures stop my child from talking?

This is a common worry. Signs, gestures and pictures give your child another way to get their message across while their speech develops, and adults keep saying the words as they sign or point. Read more in AAC myths busted.

Can we use NDIS, Medicare or private health?

We see NDIS clients who are self-managed or plan-managed. Medicare rebates may apply with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, and eligible rebates can be claimed on the spot at reception. Families with private health extras cover may be able to claim a rebate. For a worked example, see What will I pay?

Speech pathologist or speech therapist?

They are the same profession. See Speech pathologist or speech therapist?

Talk to our team

Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, 8.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.