Tips to get you moving while on a speech pathology waitlist

So, you've finally gotten in to have a consultation with your local speech pathologist, but you're left feeling deflated as you hear the speechie say “I can't get you in for another 2 years” or “I'm going to have to pop you on my waitlist, it could be up to 2 years”. You leave with an A5 flyer with some tips, but are unsure what to do next or how to help.

You're not alone. With waitlists growing and the speech and language industry in a crisis, parents like you are going through the same thing. Our poor speechies are really doing their best, and they hate putting families on the waitlist, which is why we are here! We hope this little article can help ease your anxiety, leave you feeling a bit more empowered and provide some actionable tips you can do at home while you wait.

Every moment can be turned into a language opportunity

Let's look at some everyday moments and how we can turn them into an opportunity to work on your child's speech.

What you can do today:

• Chat, chat, chat: Describe what you're doing as you are doing it to your child. For example, while you're cooking, cleaning, or running errands. "I'm cutting these red apples into small pieces for your snack." Remember to use simple language and add emphasis to descriptive words.
• Expand on what your child says: If they say "car go," you might respond, "Yes, the blue car is going fast down the hill!"
• Read interactively: Rather than racing through books, pause to ask questions, point to pictures, and let your child fill in familiar words.

Remember, it's quality over quantity. Even 10 minutes of focused, distraction-free interaction several times a day can make a difference in your child's language development.

Set Up Daily 10-Minute Speech Practice Sessions

We recommend consistent, short practice sessions over infrequent, longer ones. By establishing a daily routine, you create predictable opportunities for focused communication development.

Here's an example of an action plan:

• Morning routine speech time: During breakfast, practice 5 target words related to morning activities (eat, drink, more, please, done). Use real objects and clear, slow pronunciation.
• Bath time sound play: Turn bath time into speech practice by encouraging sound imitation with bubbles ("pop!"), water splashing ("splash!"), and bath toys ("quack quack!").
• Bedtime book technique: Choose books with repetitive phrases and pause before key words, giving your child the opportunity to fill in the blank. Our favourites are on the Speech Pathology Book of the Year awards list!

Schedule these sessions at the same times each day and keep a simple chart on the fridge where you can place stickers to track consistency. Even on busy days, these targeted activities provide the repetition and practice your child needs while making the experience enjoyable rather than feeling like "work."

Build a Support Network of Other Parents

Sometimes the most valuable resource is knowing you're not facing this challenge alone. Other parents on similar journeys can provide emotional support, practical strategies, and recommendations for resources you might not find otherwise.

How to connect:

• Join Facebook groups dedicated to speech and language development
• Attend local playgroups where you might meet families in similar situations
• Reach out to your child's preschool or childcare to see if they know of parent support networks

We would also recommend turning to trusted sources like Speech Pathology Australia or Raising Children Network for evidence-based and helpful articles for more support.

Try Yarn Speech

We are going to pop in a shameless plug here and say to give our app a go. It's built by speech pathologists to help parents in your exact position. It turns the techniques and tips mentioned above (+ much more) into age-appropriate speech lessons.

Yarn provides:

• Three daily evidence-based activities tailored to your child's specific communication needs
• The ability to track progress and share updates with your speech pathologist when you eventually see them
• Parent-led engaging and age-appropriate gamified activities
• And much more!

Yarn is designed to help parents feel more empowered and educated during lengthy wait times

Remember: You're Making a Difference

Being stuck on a waitlist is frustrating, but by implementing these strategies, you're already making a significant difference in your child's communication development. Parents are busy, and it's not your job to know absolutely everything to best support your child's development; that's why clinicians & teachers exist, to help! Together, we can turn waiting time into learning time that will benefit your child now and in the future. Stay positive, stay consistent, and know that your efforts today are creating better outcomes tomorrow. Let's Yarn!