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Communication
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Therapy & support
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Therapy & support
Is speech and language therapy the right therapy for a speech and language delay?
For most children with a speech and language delay, speech and language therapy is the right, evidence-based support — it builds understanding, expression, speech clarity and social communication through playful, child-led practice and parent coaching, after first finding why the delay is happening. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs speech and language therapy one-on-one or in a group?
Speech and language therapy is most often one-on-one, especially at the start, so the therapist can target a child's exact needs; small-group sessions are added once skills are emerging so the child can practise communication with peers. Many children follow a blended path, and the right balance depends on the child's goals, age and confidence. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Stuttering a Normal Part of Child Development?
For many young children stuttering is a normal, passing phase called developmental disfluency, common between ages 2 and 5 as thoughts outpace speech, and it usually settles on its own. A speech-language check is wise if it lasts beyond six months, worsens, involves visible strain, or distresses the child. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Suitable for Preschoolers?
Yes, PECS is well-suited to preschoolers and the preschool years are often an ideal time to begin, as the system is concrete, visual and motivating, helps children who are not yet talking to communicate, and does not delay spoken words. It is best introduced and guided by a speech and language therapist. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS suitable for toddlers?
PECS is well suited to toddlers who are not yet talking: it teaches a child to hand over a picture to request something they want, building the social give-and-take of communication from the first step. It does not delay speech and often supports spoken words emerging. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS the right therapy for a child with autism?
PECS is an evidence-based picture-exchange system that helps autistic children initiate communication, and it can be an excellent fit for children who are not yet speaking or find words hard to reach. It does not delay speech and often supports it, but it is not automatically right for every child — the best choice depends on a clinical assessment of how your child communicates, what motivates them and what they're ready for. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS right for Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
PECS can be a helpful bridge for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) but is rarely the only answer. CAS is a motor-planning difficulty, so most children do best with a blended plan where a picture or symbol system reduces frustration alongside intensive motor-speech therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS Right for a Child with Global Developmental Delay?
PECS can be an excellent communication tool for many children with Global Developmental Delay, giving a pre-verbal child a functional way to request and comment — but it is one option within a broader plan, not automatically right for every child. Suitability depends on the child's understanding, motivation and motor skills, and is best decided through a clinician-led trial. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS the right therapy for a non-verbal or minimally verbal child?
PECS can suit many non-verbal or minimally verbal children because it teaches the intent to communicate through a low-pressure picture exchange, and it often supports rather than replaces emerging speech. Whether it is right for your child is decided by a speech and language assessment, not chosen in advance — it is one strong option alongside other AAC routes. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS the Right Therapy for Speech and Language Delay?
PECS can be an excellent support for some children with speech and language delay — especially those who want to communicate but have few spoken words — but it is not automatically right for every child. It is a bridge to communication that does not hinder speech and often encourages it. Whether it suits your child depends on their individual profile, which a speech and language therapist assesses with you. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS Usually One-on-One or in a Group?
PECS usually begins one-on-one, where two supporting adults help a child learn the very first picture exchange, then expands into group and everyday settings so communication generalises to many people and places. The answer is both, in sequence — individual teaching builds the skill and natural, social practice makes it real. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMy child doesn't babble — should I be worried?
Most babies begin canonical babbling ("ba-ba", "da-da") between about 6 and 10 months. If your baby isn't babbling by around 9–12 months, a gentle developmental check — starting with a hearing review — is worthwhile, as early support is easiest then. Many children catch up beautifully. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMy child doesn't follow simple instructions — should I be worried?
Not following simple instructions can be normal at certain ages, as toddlers are still building the hearing, understanding, attention and action skills that following directions requires. It is worth a check when, over several weeks, a child consistently doesn't respond to their name, doesn't understand familiar requests, or this comes with delays in talking or play — and a hearing check should come first. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMy child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?
Pointing usually appears between 9 and 14 months and signals a child's wish to share and connect, the foundation of language. If a child is past their first birthday and not yet pointing, look at the whole communication picture — eye contact, name-response, babbling, gesturing — and arrange a friendly developmental check by 15–18 months. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerChild Not Responding to Their Name
A child not responding to their name often has ordinary causes — deep absorption in play, or simply not hearing well — so a hearing check always comes first. Most babies orient to their name by 6–9 months and respond reliably by 12 months; consistent non-response by around 12 months, especially with limited eye contact, pointing or babble, is worth a gentle developmental check. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMy child doesn't talk yet — should I be worried?
A slightly later start to talking is common, and many children are simply on their own timeline — but communication follows well-mapped milestones, so a gentle developmental check is wiser than waiting indefinitely. Look at the whole picture: understanding, pointing, gestures and connection matter as much as spoken words. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMy child echoes what others say — should I be worried?
Echoing others' words — echolalia — is a common, normal stage of early language development, often a way children practise speech, communicate intent, or self-soothe. On its own it is usually not a concern. A check is worth it if echoing persists well beyond toddlerhood, replaces meaningful conversation, or comes with other communication differences. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber zone for cognitive communication & pre-literacy
An amber zone for cognitive communication pre-literacy is a watch-and-support signal, not a diagnosis. The best next step is a structured developmental check with a qualified clinician, alongside everyday language and book play at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber zone for expressive communication — what should we do next?
An amber zone for expressive communication is a watch-and-support signal, not a diagnosis — the best next step is a clinician-led assessment plus simple, playful language support at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber zone for communication – pragmatics: what to do next
An amber zone for communication – pragmatics means your child's social-communication skills are worth a closer, structured look — not a cause for alarm. The best next step is a clinician-led assessment to understand exactly where your child thrives and where gentle, early support helps. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber Zone for Communication — What Should We Do Next?
An amber zone in receptive and expressive communication is an early support signal, not a diagnosis — it means look closer and act gently if needed. The best next step is a clinician-led developmental check, alongside everyday talking, reading and following your child's lead, plus a hearing review. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber zone for receptive communication — next steps
An amber zone for receptive communication is a check-and-support signal, not a diagnosis or alarm. The best next steps are a hearing check first, a clinician-led developmental assessment, and talk-rich, low-pressure days at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication Skills Amber Zone — Next Steps for Parents
An amber zone for Communication Skills is an early signal, not a diagnosis — it means watch closely and support now. The best next step is a clinician-led speech and language assessment to understand the cause, paired with talking, tuning in and following your child's lead at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber Zone in Communication Social Language: Your Next Steps
An amber zone for communication social language is an early, gentle signal to look closer — not a diagnosis. The best next step is a clinician-led assessment alongside daily talking, play and a hearing check. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
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