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    Support for speech and language delays in Perth

    Maybe it’s the words that still aren’t coming at two and a half, while the same-age cousin won’t stop talking. Maybe it’s the frustration and meltdowns because nobody can understand what your child is trying to say. Or the daycare educator who mentioned, gently, that it might be worth getting checked.

    If you’re wondering whether a speech or language delay might explain what’s happening for your child, you can start here. This page covers what speech and language delays are, how assessment works in Perth, and where to find support.

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    What speech and language delays are

    Speech and language are two different things, and it helps to know which one you’re seeing.

    Speech is how sounds and words come out. A speech delay or disorder means a child’s speech is harder to understand than expected for their age, sounds are missed or swapped, or they stutter.

    Language is understanding and using words to communicate. A language delay means a child is behind in following instructions, understanding what’s said to them, or putting words and sentences together to express themselves.

    A child can have one, the other, or both. Neither is about intelligence, and neither is caused by anything a parent did or didn’t do. Some children are late talkers who catch up on their own. Others need extra support to get there, and the earlier that support starts, the more difference it tends to make.

    Signs parents often notice

    • Not saying any words by 18 months, or very few by 2 years
    • Hard to understand even for family, well past the age you'd expect
    • Trouble following simple instructions, or seeming to tune out when spoken to
    • Not combining words into short phrases by age 2 to 3
    • Big frustration or behaviour changes that seem linked to not being understood
    • A stutter or stammer that's lasted more than a few months

    Every child develops at their own pace, and some catch up without any intervention. The question is whether the gap is widening rather than closing. If something feels off, it’s worth getting checked rather than waiting to see.

    How speech and language assessments work in Perth

    Speech pathologists are the allied health professionals who assess and support speech and language delays in children. No referral is needed to see one privately, though a GP referral can open up a Medicare rebate through a Chronic Disease Management plan.

    An assessment usually includes questions about your child’s development, some structured activities and play-based tasks, and time understanding what you’re noticing at home. A hearing check is often recommended early too, because hearing difficulties can look a lot like a language delay and are simple to rule out.

    In Western Australia, families can also access speech pathology through Child Development Service community health clinics, as well as privately. Public options are free but often have longer waits. Perth Kids Hub keeps a regularly updated list of speech pathologists showing who is accepting new referrals, so you don’t have to ring around to find out. 

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    FAQS from Perth parents

    Yes. The Child Development Service (CDS) assesses children through the public system at low or no cost. Your GP or child health nurse can refer you. Waits are significant, which is why some families run a private option in parallel.

    Experienced assessors know masking well, and they’ll ask detailed questions about home life, friendships and what happens after school. Bring concrete examples and, if you can, videos or notes from moments the school never sees.

    It varies with how many professionals are involved and what’s included. Always ask for the full cost up front, including the written report, since the report is what you’ll need for school and NDIS purposes.

    A formal diagnosis can support both, though neither is automatic. The school funding guide linked above walks through how it works in WA, and your assessment provider can advise on NDIS paperwork.

    Your GP is the starting point. They can refer you to a paediatrician, to the CDS, or to private assessment providers depending on the route you choose.

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