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Innerlink Therapy provides assessment services, therapy for young people and children with an intellectual disability or developmental delay.
At Innerlink Therapy, we provide Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy for children with developmental delay across Belmore, Canterbury-Bankstown and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
Developmental differences may affect communication, speech, language, play, learning, movement, sensory processing, emotional regulation, social interaction and everyday independence. Our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work with children and families to understand how these difficulties affect everyday participation and to develop practical, individualised goals.
Through evidence-informed assessment and therapy, we support children to build communication, motor and everyday skills, participate more confidently in home and preschool or school routines, and develop greater independence.
Some children use more than one language at home or in the community. Speaking more than one language does not cause developmental or language difficulties. When supporting multilingual children, our Speech Pathologists consider the languages the child uses across everyday environments as part of assessment and therapy planning.
What is Developmental Delay?
Developmental delay occurs when a child develops skills later than expected compared with other children of the same age. These delays may affect communication, speech, language, play, learning, movement or social development.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Speech Pathology
- Limited vocabulary compared with children of the same age
- Difficulty combining words into sentences
- Trouble understanding instructions
- Difficulty communicating needs and ideas Frustration when trying to communicate
- Difficulty interacting with others
- Reduced speech clarity
- Delayed conversation skills
Early Intervention Speech Pathology for Developmental Delay
Early intervention provides children with support during important stages of communication and development. Our Speech Pathologists work with children and families to identify individual strengths, develop communication skills and support participation across home, preschool, school and community environments.
Therapy goals are personalised and may include speech development, language skills, understanding, social communication, play skills and functional communication.
Occupational Therapy for Developmental Delay
Occupational Therapy can support children who experience difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, play, self-care, attention or everyday routines.
Our Occupational Therapists focus on the skills that affect participation in daily life. Therapy may support children to develop greater independence with dressing, eating, play, classroom activities, transitions and other age-appropriate routines.
Support is tailored to each child’s strengths, needs and family priorities, with practical strategies that can be used across home, preschool, school and community settings.
Our therapists work with children and families to set practical goals that reflect everyday priorities, such as communicating needs, joining play, managing routines, developing motor skills and becoming more independent in daily activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is developmental delay? Developmental delay occurs when a child takes longer to develop skills expected for their age. This may affect communication, speech, language, learning, social interaction or everyday skills
How can Speech Pathology help children with developmental delay? Speech Pathologists support children with developmental delay by developing communication, speech, language and social interaction skills. Therapy focuses on each child’s individual strengths and goals.
When should I seek Speech Pathology support for developmental delay? Parents can seek Speech Pathology support whenever they have concerns about their child’s communication development, speech, understanding or ability to interact with others. Early support can help children develop important communication skills.
Is developmental delay Speech Pathology personalised for each child? Yes. Therapy is tailored to each child’s communication profile, strengths, interests and everyday environments.