What is Literacy?

Literacy refers to one’s “ability to read and write”, i.e. to understand and produce written information. Literacy is a vital part of your child’s development and essential for their ongoing learning and academic progress.

When should I refer my child to a Speech Pathologist?

As with all developmental difficulties, the earlier you seek support for your child the better. Children who may be slower to develop literacy can become anxious and disengage with the curriculum. The following provides a guide as to when your child would benefit from assessment and support:

• Early concerns regarding your child’s speech and language development (speech and language developmental milestones)
• Reluctant to sound out words and have-a-go
• For school-aged children, you may have concerns regarding their pronunciation or incorrect grammar
• Your child may have difficulties retelling you a story or answering your questions
• Slow progress with reading
• Difficulty understand stories (i.e. comprehension)
• Teacher concerns