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Therapy & support
Is parent-mediated therapy right for speech and language delay?
Parent-mediated therapy is an evidence-backed and often first-line choice for young children with speech and language delay, because language grows fastest through warm, frequent everyday interaction. A therapist coaches parents in simple play-based strategies, sometimes blended with direct one-to-one speech therapy depending on the child's profile. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs parent-mediated therapy usually one-on-one or in a group?
Parent-mediated therapy is usually delivered one-on-one, with a therapist coaching the parent while the child plays, so strategies fit the child's needs and home routine; many programmes add small parent-group sessions for teaching and peer support. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Autism at 12-18 Months: What Should I Do?
If your 12-to-18-month-old shows possible early signs of autism, the best step is a developmental check now rather than waiting. At this age we observe and support rather than label, because early communication and play-based help strengthens development whatever the outcome. A formal understanding usually becomes clearer from around 18-24 months.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Cerebral Palsy at 12–18 Months: What to Do
If your 12-to-18-month-old shows signs of cerebral palsy — stiffness or floppiness, one-sided preference, delayed sitting or standing, or fisted hands — arrange a prompt paediatrician-led developmental check. CP affects movement and posture and begins early; early therapy makes a real difference because a young brain is highly responsive. This is calm, prompt action, not panic, and never a home diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerMy 12–18 Month Old May Be Showing Signs of Down Syndrome — What Should I Do?
Down syndrome is usually identified at or soon after birth and confirmed by a karyotype blood test, so by 12–18 months a diagnosis is typically known or not, rather than newly appearing. If you are unsure about features you notice, book a calm paediatric developmental review. Routine heart, hearing and vision checks plus early strengths-based therapy help your toddler thrive at their own pace.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Global Developmental Delay at 12–18 months — what to do
If your 12–18-month-old shows delays across several areas at once — movement, communication, play, understanding — book a developmental check now rather than waiting. At this age the brain is highly responsive, so early support meaningfully improves outcomes. Delay is a starting point, not a destiny; keep playing, talking and engaging your child every day.
Read the answer AnswerSpeech and Language Delay at 12–18 Months
Between 12 and 18 months, keep talking, reading, singing and playing with your child every day, and arrange a developmental check so a professional can look closely. Language varies widely at this age and many children catch up with early playful support — checking early is more helpful than waiting, and a simple hearing check is a wise first step.
Read the answer AnswerMy 18–24 month old is showing signs of Autism Spectrum — what should I do?
At 18–24 months, signs such as limited eye contact, not responding to name, few words or gestures, and repetitive play are worth acting on. Have hearing checked, book a developmental assessment, and keep building face-to-face connection at home. Early support — not waiting — gives toddlers the widest window to grow.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Global Developmental Delay in Your Toddler — What to Do Next
If your 18–24-month-old seems behind in two or more areas, act early: note what you see, check hearing and vision, arrange a developmental assessment, and begin play-based and communication support without waiting for a final label. Global Developmental Delay is a starting point for help, not a verdict, and the toddler brain responds powerfully to early, targeted support.
Read the answer AnswerSensory Processing Differences at 18–24 Months
Sensory processing differences at 18–24 months — strong reactions to sound, texture, light, movement or touch — are worth observing, not a diagnosis to fear. The most helpful step is a paediatric occupational therapy developmental check, plus calming everyday routines at home. These differences respond well to early, playful support.
Read the answer AnswerSpeech and Language Delay at 18–24 Months: A Parent's Guide
If your 18-to-24-month-old has few words, isn't combining words, or struggles to understand simple requests, arrange a speech and language check early rather than only waiting. Many late talkers thrive with timely support, and you don't need a diagnosis to begin — simply a developmental check to map strengths. Daily narrating, reading, pausing for responses and a hearing check all help.
Read the answer AnswerMy 2-year-old is showing signs of autism — what should I do?
At two years old, signs are meaningful and this is the right age to act. Don't self-diagnose — arrange a structured, clinician-led developmental assessment, and meanwhile keep connecting daily through play, gestures and naming. Early support changes outcomes, and noticing early is a strength.
Read the answer AnswerMy 2-Year-Old Is Showing Signs of Global Developmental Delay — What Should I Do?
If your 2-year-old shows signs across several developmental areas, the key first step is a proper developmental assessment by a qualified team — soon. GDD describes where a child is now, not where they will go, and early, targeted support during these rapid brain-building years works well. Keep talking and playing, check hearing and vision, and note everyday examples to share with clinicians.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Sensory Processing Differences at 2: What To Do
Some sensitivity to sound, light, textures and movement is common at two, so most early sensory differences are observed rather than labelled. If your toddler regularly struggles in ways that disrupt eating, sleeping, dressing or play, a gentle developmental check is wise. Predictable routines, calm spaces, slow introductions and movement breaks help, and occupational therapy offers tailored support.
Read the answer AnswerSpeech and Language Delay at 2 — What Parents Can Do
At two, speech and language delay is common and highly responsive to early support. Many two-year-olds use around 50 words and join two together, but every child differs. The best steps are a structured developmental check (including hearing) and plenty of warm, language-rich everyday play you can start today.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Cerebral Palsy in a 3-to-6-month-old
At 3–6 months, signs that may suggest cerebral palsy — stiffness, floppiness, a strong hand preference or unusual movements — are reasons to see a paediatrician promptly, not a diagnosis. Many babies develop typically; where there is a concern, the earliest months are when supportive help works best, so prompt clinical review is the right next step.
Read the answer AnswerMy 3-to-6-month-old is showing signs of Down syndrome — what should I do?
If you suspect Down syndrome in your 3-to-6-month-old, the right step is a prompt paediatric visit — it is confirmed by a blood test (karyotype), not by looks. Present from birth, it is recognised early, and early support for the heart, hearing, vision and movement, plus play-based therapy, helps your baby thrive from these very months.
Read the answer AnswerADHD signs in a 3-year-old — what to do
At three, restlessness, impulsivity and short attention are usually part of normal development, not ADHD — which is rarely diagnosed this young. Support attention, sleep, movement and communication through daily routines, and arrange a general developmental check so a qualified clinician can see the whole picture rather than a single label.
Read the answer AnswerMy 3-year-old is showing signs of Autism Spectrum — what should I do?
If your 3-year-old shows signs of Autism Spectrum, book a clinician-led developmental assessment rather than waiting. Age three is an ideal time to act — early support widens later choices. Note your observations, keep connecting through play, and seek a structured evaluation; signs are patterns to share, never a self-diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Global Developmental Delay at 3 — What to Do
If your 3-year-old shows signs of Global Developmental Delay, act early: note what you're seeing, check hearing and vision, and book a structured developmental assessment. At three the brain is highly responsive, and tailored early support changes trajectories. GDD describes where your child is now, not where they are heading.
Read the answer AnswerSensory Processing Differences in a 3-Year-Old: A Parent's Guide
At 3, occasional sensitivity to sound, texture, light or movement is common and often settles. If reactions are intense, frequent and disrupt daily life — meals, dressing, play, sleep or social time — a gentle developmental check helps. Sensory Processing Differences are a profile to understand and support through play, not a flaw to fix.
Read the answer AnswerMy 3-Year-Old Has Signs of Speech and Language Delay — What Should I Do?
At three years, a speech and language delay is highly treatable — the best step is a proper developmental check rather than waiting. Speech-language therapy works well at this age, and simple daily habits like narrating, reading and following your child's lead help a great deal. A hearing check is also worth arranging early.
Read the answer AnswerADHD Signs in a 4-Year-Old: What Should I Do?
Much of what looks like ADHD at four is also normal preschool behaviour. ADHD can be recognised in preschoolers, but only by a clinician who observes attention and regulation across multiple settings over time — not from one worrying day. For now, keep a short behaviour diary, build calm and predictable routines, protect sleep and active play, and book a developmental check so a qualified clinician can see the full picture.
Read the answer AnswerMy 4-year-old is showing signs of Sensory Processing Differences — what should I do?
Signs of sensory processing differences in a 4-year-old — distress at noise, textures, food or movement, or intense sensory-seeking — are best addressed with an early developmental check by an occupational therapist. At four the brain responds beautifully to support, so acting now helps. Keep a trigger diary, build calming routines, tell the preschool, and book an OT-led assessment.
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