Concerned About Your Child's Communication Or Speech Development?

Concerned About Your Child's Communication Or Speech Development?

Some questions and answers to help you decide whether your child needs a referral to the Ministry of Education for their communication, speech or language development.

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Does my child need a referral to the Ministry of Education for their communication, speech or language development?

Here are some questions and answers to help you decide whether your child needs a referral to the Ministry of Education for their communication, speech or language development.

When?

  • have you talked to someone else who knows your child well and tried some of the recommended tips?
  • are you still concerned?

What?

  • think about your child's communication skills including speech, language, and social interactions
  • think about the impact on their daily activities and social interactions at home and in the early childhood education setting
  • are they having significant difficulties understanding or communicating with other children or adults a lot of the time? 
  • are they becoming withdrawn or showing different behaviours to communicate their needs and wants a lot of the time?

How?

  • if you answered 'yes' to the above questions then contact your local Ministry of Education office to discuss your concerns or make a referral

Who should I contact?

To make a referral, you can ring 0800 622 222 or email Special Education on special.education@education.govt.nz 

You might also find some helpful suggestions on the KidsHealth page | Concerned about your child's development?

References

If you would like to look at anything in more detail, this list of references might be a good starting point.

Acknowledgements

The content on this page has been produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and adapted from Much more than words | Manuka takoto, kawea ake (2014).

External links and downloads

Who should I talk to if I am concerned about my child's communication?

Talk to someone else who knows your child well; for example, your child’s teacher, doctor or a close family or whānau member. If you are still concerned, call the Ministry of Education at 0800 622 222 or check the Ministry of Education website for your local Ministry of Education office.

Who should I talk to if I am concerned about my child's speech?

Talk to someone who knows your child well, such as your child's teacher, doctor or a close family or whānau member. If you are still concerned, call the Ministry of Education at 0800 622 222 or check the Ministry of Education website for your local Ministry of Education office.

Who should I talk to if I am concerned that my child may be stuttering?

If you think your child may be stuttering or if there is a family or whānau history of stuttering, seek advice from the Ministry of Education as soon as you can. Call the Ministry of Education at 0800 622 222 or check the Ministry of Education website for your local Ministry of Education office.

Who should I talk to if I am concerned about my child's voice?

If you have any concerns about your child's voice talk to your child's doctor who may refer your child to a speech language therapist. Speech language therapists are employed in the Ministry of Education, special schools, hospitals, and in private practice. To find a speech language therapist, you can contact the Ministry of Education, Special Education on 0800 622 222 (you can self-refer to a Ministry of Education speech-language therapist); email a query to special.education@education.govt.nz; see where to find speech and language therapists at the NZ Speech-Language Therapists' Association website or ask your child's teacher to refer your child.

Information on communication development | Ministry of Education

This booklet is for supporting the communication development of young tamariki. Family, whānau, early childhood educators, kaiako, health professionals and others may find it useful. It includes information about typical communication development in young children and ideas for supporting them. The booklet was published by the Ministry of Education in 2014. 

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Speech & Language

This page last reviewed 08 December 2023.

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