Welcome to Ask Robyn

Hi and welcome to Ask Robyn.

We are very happy that you have reached out to get support on this topic for you and your child. You mentioned that your child is awaiting speech therapy. Waiting lists can be difficult and frustrating, but it is really positive to see how proactive you are. Your child is lucky to have this kind of support from you.

Understanding speech development

Speech is an important part of our lives, and it’s good to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Being on the waiting list for speech therapy is the first step in supporting your child’s speech development, so you are already on the right path.

While you wait, it is important to be patient and to give your child enough space and time. This can be a frustrating period for your child, so remaining calm and patient will make a real difference.

Supporting your child at home

To support your child, try to reduce distractions when they are speaking or working on something related to their speech. Where possible, spend one-to-one time with your child using short and simple sentences. This will help them build their communication skills.

Model speech for your child by narrating your day and giving them enough time to process and respond. Use topics or activities that interest your child. Play can make this process more engaging and reduce any pressure to “get it right.” This helps your child feel more comfortable and confident.

It is very important not to make your child feel bad about mistakes or about being unable to express themselves. Being supportive and encouraging is the best thing you can do. Once speech therapy begins, you will likely be given some exercises to complete at home.

If you would like more information, the website www.hanen.org offers helpful tips and resources for parents supporting their child’s communication development.

Additional supports available

We have a Parent Support Line that operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm. It offers an opportunity to speak with a team member about your situation. This can be useful if you want to talk things through or learn about available options and signposts. You can contact us at 01 522 4300 or by email at [email protected].

Another service available to you is Parentline, which can be reached at 01 873 3500.

Closing message

We hope that the above information has been helpful to you. We wish you and your child the very best moving forward and hope your wait for speech therapy will not be too long.

Take care,

Robyn