Being on a Speech Therapy Waitlist Can Feel Like Forever
If your child has been referred for speech therapy and you’ve learned there’s a waitlist, you’re not alone. Many families face delays due to staffing shortages, high demand, and scheduling limits. The waiting can be stressful—especially when you’re worried about your child falling behind or becoming frustrated.
The good news is this: there are meaningful, safe, and simple things you can do at home while you wait. You don’t need special materials, and you don’t need to “be the therapist.” Your job is to create lots of easy opportunities for communication—little moments that add up over time.
First, Take a Breath: Waiting Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
Speech and language skills grow through everyday interactions. While therapy can be an important piece of the puzzle, your child’s biggest “practice time” happens with you during meals, play, errands, bath time, and bedtime.
Think of this waiting period as a chance to:
- build communication routines
- reduce pressure around talking
- learn what helps your child communicate best
- collect helpful information to share with the therapist once services begin
Know the Difference: Speech vs. Language (and Why It Matters)
Parents often use “speech” to mean everything, but it helps to understand the basics:
- Speech is how we say sounds and words (pronunciation, clarity, stuttering).
- Language is what we say and understand (vocabulary, sentences, following directions, storytelling).
- Social communication is how we use language with others (taking turns, asking questions, staying on topic).
Why does this matter? Because the best home support depends on what your child needs. If your child is hard to understand, you’ll focus more on clarity and modeling. If your child has limited words, you’ll focus more on building vocabulary and communication attempts.
What You Can Do Today: Simple, High-Impact Strategies
1) Follow Your Child’s Lead (Then Add One Step)
When your child chooses the activity, they’re more motivated to communicate. Join in, talk about what they’re doing, and add a small “stretch.”
- If your child says “car,” you can say “fast car” or “car go!”
- If your child points to juice, you can model “juice, please” (without forcing them to repeat it).
This approach keeps communication positive and reduces power struggles.
2) Model Words Without Demanding Repeats
It’s tempting to say, “Say it!”—especially when you know your child can. But for many kids, pressure makes speech harder. Instead, model the word naturally and give them time.
- Child: points to bubbles
- Parent: “Bubbles! Big bubbles. Pop, pop!”
If they repeat you, great. If not, they still heard a strong model.
3) Use “Communication Temptations” (Make Talking Worth It)
Set up little situations that encourage your child to communicate—without frustration.
- Put a favorite toy in a clear container they can’t open alone.
- Pause during a familiar routine (like “Ready, set…”) and wait for a sound, look, gesture, or word.
- Offer two choices: “Apple or banana?” and wait.
Accept any communication attempt: a point, a look, a sound, a word. The goal is successful interaction.
4) Build Language During Daily Routines (No Extra Time Required)
Routines are powerful because they repeat every day. Repetition helps kids learn.
- Meals: name foods, talk about “hot/cold,” “more/all done,” “crunchy/soft.”
- Bath: “wash,” “pour,” “wet,” “dry,” “in/out.”
- Getting dressed: “shirt on,” “sock off,” “zip,” “button,” “big/little.”
- Errands: label what you see and keep sentences short and clear.
5) Read in a “Fun and Easy” Way
You don’t have to read every word on the page. The goal is interaction, not perfection.
- Look at pictures and label what you see.
- Ask simple questions: “Where’s the dog?” “What’s that?”
- Use sound effects and silly voices to keep attention.
- Pause so your child can fill in a word if they want.
If your child won’t sit for books, try short bursts—one page at a time—or use books tied to their interests (vehicles, animals, superheroes, cooking).
6) Support Speech Clarity with Gentle Modeling
If your child mispronounces a word, try not to correct them harshly. Instead, repeat the word correctly in a friendly way.
- Child: “I see the wabbit.”
- Parent: “Yes, a rabbit! The rabbit is hopping.”
This is called “recasting,” and it gives your child the correct model without making them feel wrong.
7) Use Visual Supports (Especially for Kids Who Get Frustrated)
Some children communicate better when they can see choices. You can use:
- pictures of snacks or toys to point to
- a simple “first/then” routine (first clean up, then play)
- gesture cues (pointing, showing, giving)
Visual supports don’t prevent speech. For many kids, they reduce stress and increase communication.
What Not to Do While Waiting (Common Traps)
- Don’t turn every moment into a quiz. Too many “What’s this?” questions can shut kids down. Balance questions with comments.
- Don’t withhold everything until they talk. Encourage communication, but avoid creating big frustration.
- Don’t compare your child to other kids. Progress is personal and uneven.
- Don’t overload with long instructions. Use short, clear phrases and repeat as needed.
Track What You’re Seeing (This Helps the Future Therapist)
Even a simple notes list can be incredibly useful when therapy begins. Consider tracking:
- new words or phrases your child uses
- when communication is easiest (play, meals, bedtime)
- what triggers frustration
- how your child communicates (words, gestures, pointing, leading you)
- how well unfamiliar people understand them
If your child has an IEP or school support plan, keep copies of reports and emails. Sharing this information can speed up the “getting to know you” phase.
When to Check In Again (and When to Seek Help Sooner)
Waitlists vary, but you can still advocate kindly and consistently.
- Ask the school or clinic for an estimated timeline.
- Request to be notified of cancellations.
- Ask if there are group options or short-term supports while waiting.
Also consider reaching out sooner if you notice:
- your child seems to lose skills they previously had
- frequent choking/coughing during meals or concerns about swallowing
- extreme frustration or behavior changes tied to communication
- hearing concerns (not responding to sound, frequent ear infections)
If you suspect hearing issues, a hearing check is a smart step—hearing impacts speech and language development.
How Online Therapy Can Help Schools Support Students
Many families are surprised to learn that schools can provide speech-language services through online platforms. When schools partner with providers like TinyEYE, students may be able to access therapy in a consistent way—even when local staffing is tight.
If your child receives services through the school system, it can be worth asking the school team what options exist, including virtual service delivery.
For more information, please follow this link.
