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What To Do Whilst You're Waiting for Speech and Language Therapy for Your Child

If your child has been referred for speech and language therapy, you might be feeling a mix of relief, hope, and maybe some frustration. Waiting can feel like an endless and uncertain process, especially when you are worried about your child. 

You might already have access to information and support during the wait, but if not, here are some ideas that might help:

1. Stay connected with your Speech and Language Therapy service

If you've been referred to your local NHS community speech and language therapy service, you can contact them directly to:

  • Check that your child's referral has been received
  • Ask about current waiting times
  • Find out whether they offer any drop-in sessions or workshops for families on the waiting list for support.
Many services share useful advice and strategies on their websites, so it's worth exploring online.
If you are considering private speech and language therapy support, you can find guidance about what to consider when choosing a therapist and questions to ask before starting in this Special Needs Jungle article.

2. Reach out to your Health Visitor or G.P. 

If you haven't already spoken to your Health Visitor (for children under 5) or G.P., consider booking an appointment. They can:

  • Review your child's development and provide information about how their profile aligns with what's expected for their age.
  • Follow up your referral to specialist support services or provide interim advice whilst you wait.
  • Signpost you to Early Help teams or Family Hubs in your area.
3. Ask your child's nursery or school for help
If your child attends pre-school, nursery or school, talk to the staff about your concerns. They can:
  • Talk to you about how your child manages within their setting and you can discuss strategies that seem to be useful both there and at home.
  • Use strategies previously recommended by SLTs 
  • Keep notes on your child's progress which can be really valuable when your child is seen for their first appointment.
Many settings will have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) who lead on providing advice within educational settings. Some have access to a 'link' speech and language therapist who might be able to offer support.

4. Explore charities and online resources / communities
There are a number of organisations that provide specialist support and advice for families of children with speech, language and communication needs. They can also signpost you to forums where you can meet other parents and caregivers who are in similar positions. 
Here are some places to start:
  • BBC's Tiny Happy People website brings together a great collection of resources on early development and parenting, including information about milestones, activities to try and top tips and advice.
  • Afasic provide information and support to children with communication needs in England and Scotland. They offer a parents’ telephone helpline, a DLD Together Training course and School Transition Courses.
  • Speech and Language UK  provide information and support for families across the UK. You can book a confidential 30-minute telephone call with a speech and language advisor; they also offer free recorded webinars and a resource library.
  • STAMMA support individuals of all ages who stammer and offer a range of family support services, including parent support groups and workshops, a Minecraft club, and support via webchat, helpline and email.
  • 1Voice organise social events for individuals and families in England who use  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • Ace Centre support individuals across England with complex communication difficulties, offering assessment and training and providing Assistive Technology and AAC.
5. Look after yourself and stay connected
Parenting can be tough even at the best of times, and when you're worried about your child's communication and/or eating and drinking, it can feel even harder. Be kind to yourself and try to to:
  • Talk to people about your worries. Select people who you know will be supportive, rather than those who might offer unhelpful advice or be judgemental. If the people around you are not supportive, consider reaching out to other support services as listed above. 
  • Build in small moments of self-care, even if it's just a short walk outside, a quiet coffee or a chat with a friend.
  • Enjoy quality time with your child doing activities they love. Your connection with them is key and provides a powerful foundation for communication and wellbeing.

Waiting for speech and language therapy can feel difficult, especially when you’re eager to help your child make progress. Reach out for information and support where you need it and connect with others where you can. And, whilst it's natural to put your child's needs first, remember that taking care of yourself is important too.

About WAIT-UP SLT

WAIT-UP SLT is a research project focused on understanding the experiences of waiting within children's speech and language therapy (SLT) services in England. The project aims to explore these experiences from the perspectives of speech and language therapy teams, parents, caregivers, and children and young people, specifically addressing the gap in knowledge about the subjective experiences of those waiting for and within SLT services. Follow our work and find out more via Linktree: https://linktr.ee/waitupslt


WAIT UP SLT © 2025 by Gillian Rudd is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Image credit: Rocco Stoppoloni from Pixabay

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