Understand before you decide.
Plain-English guides on speech, autism, sensory and school readiness, written for parents.
Browse by topic
Basics
Milestones, when to seek help, NDIS, Medicare and a glossary of terms.
Speech & language
Late talking, articulation, stuttering, and language development.
Autism
Assessment, signs, support, and day-to-day strategies.
Sensory
Sensory sensitivities, food, sound, and sensory integration.
School readiness
Readiness, learning difficulties, and working with teachers.
Basics
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check for 3-year-olds: what to bring
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check starts on 1 November 2026 for Medicare-eligible 3-year-olds. What the GP looks at, what to bring, and what can happen next.3 min readNDIS or Thriving Kids: which one, and what changes in 2028
Thriving Kids and NDIS questions answered: how the two differ for children aged 8 and under, what changes on 1 January 2028, and what to do this month.7 min readGlossary — Australian early-intervention terms in plain English
What does ECA mean? What's a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan? An A–Z reference of acronyms and terms used across Australian children's allied-health care.17 min readIs my child on track? Developmental milestones from 12 months to 5 years
A plain-English reference of speech, motor, social, and cognitive milestones — from a worried-parent's perspective. Every child is different; this is a starting point, not a diagnosis.9 min readMedicare rebates for children's allied-health care — what parents need to know
How Better Access, Mental Health Treatment Plans, and the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan work for kids — plus how rebates show up in practice.14 min readNDIS for kids — a plain-English guide for Australian parents
How the NDIS works for children, the Early Childhood Approach for under-9s, eligibility, and what's funded — written for parents who are new to the scheme.13 min readWhen to seek help — trust your instinct, then know the next step
Red flags by domain, the GP referral pathway, and what an early appointment with a paediatrician or allied-health professional actually looks like.12 min read
Speech & language
Answering questions
Which questions children usually answer first, and how to ask one question and then wait.1 min readAsking for things
How children ask for what they want, from pointing to words, with everyday ideas that never hold back food or toys.1 min readAsking questions
When children usually ask who, what, where and why questions, and how to answer them.1 min readBack sounds: k, g and ng
How children learn the k, g and ng sounds, common mix-ups, and simple ways to help at home.1 min readch and j sounds
ch and j are later sounds. When children usually say them, common mix-ups, and ideas for home.1 min readClearer sentences
How to say your child's sentence back the usual way, without asking them to copy you.1 min readDescribing words
How children learn words like big, soft and crunchy, and how to add them to what your child says.1 min readSounds at the end of words
Why young children leave the last sound off words, when it usually stops, and how to help at home.1 min readWords for feelings
When children usually learn words for feelings, and how to name feelings as they happen.1 min readFront sounds: t, d, n, l, s and z
When children usually say t, d, n, l, s and z, the mix-ups to expect, and everyday ways to help.1 min readHow children learn to talk in words and sentences
When children usually say first words, put words together and use longer sentences, and when to get help.1 min readHow children learn speech sounds
When children usually learn each speech sound, which mix-ups are common, and how to help at home.1 min readl and r sounds
l and r are later sounds. When children usually say them, the w-for-r mix-up, and ideas for home.1 min readLip sounds: p, b, m, f, v and w
p, b, m, f, v and w: when children usually say them, common mix-ups, and ideas for home.1 min readLittle words in sentences
What little words like a and the are, and how to say your child's sentence back with them in.1 min readLonger sentences
When children usually put words together into sentences, and how to add a word or two to what your child says.1 min readHelping your child use more words
When children usually learn new words, and everyday ways to name things as you play, cook and shop.1 min readNose sounds: m, n and ng
When children usually say m, n and ng, what mix-ups to expect, and how to help in everyday talk.1 min readQuick sounds: p, b, t, d, k and g
When children usually say p, b, t, d, k and g, common mix-ups, and ideas for play and home.1 min readSaying no and disagreeing
How children use no, not and don't, and ways to use these words in your own talk.1 min readSounds together: sp, tr, bl and more
Why young children say "poon" for "spoon", when it usually stops, and how to help at home.1 min readSounds you can stretch: f, v, h, s, z, sh and th
When children usually say f, v, h, s, z, sh and th, common mix-ups, and everyday ways to help.1 min readTelling a story or what happened
When children usually talk about their day and tell short stories, and ways to talk about what happened.1 min readMy 2-year-old isn't talking: what to know
How to tell the difference between a late talker and something worth checking — and when to reach out for support.5 min readWhen should I see a speech pathologist?
A practical guide to the developmental milestones that suggest your child would benefit from a speech pathology assessment.5 min read
Autism
Sensory
School readiness
Learning about books and print
Short ways to share books with your child and to notice the words on covers, signs and labels.1 min readPlaying with sounds in words
Short games with the beats in words, rhymes and first sounds, where your child claps, points or listens.1 min readIs my child ready for school? A practical checklist
School readiness is about more than knowing the alphabet — here's what teachers and researchers say actually matters.6 min read