Therapaedsby Kidsogenius
Parents-to-know

Your questions, answered.

Real answers from our therapists to the questions parents ask most — about speech, behaviour, sensory needs, autism, early intervention and more. Filter by topic below.

Speech & Language

My child isn't speaking like other children his age. What should I do?
Start with an evaluation by a paediatrician or child psychologist. They may recommend a hearing (audiology) test and refer your child to a speech-language therapist. An early assessment helps pinpoint the cause and the right support.
My child repeats sentences after me, even when I ask a question. How do I stop it?
This is called echolalia, and it's a normal part of language development that usually fades by around age 3. At home, use short language tied to what you're doing, model the response you want, and pause to give your child a chance to reply rather than repeat. If it persists past age 3, see a speech therapist.
My child has a speech delay — how long will therapy take?
It depends on the number and type of speech errors: more errors generally mean longer treatment. Therapy continues until your child can learn and use language independently. Consistency and home practice shorten the journey.
My child is slow to talk, but the therapist referred us to occupational therapy. Why?
Attention or sensory-processing difficulties can make it hard for a child to stay regulated enough to learn language. Addressing those foundations in occupational therapy first often helps speech therapy progress faster.
My child talks at home but not at school. Is something wrong?
Consistently not speaking in certain settings (like school) while speaking comfortably at home can indicate selective mutism. A speech therapist or child psychologist can assess and guide a gradual, low-pressure plan.

Occupational Therapy

My child struggles with handwriting — is it caused by his muscles?
Often, yes. Handwriting draws on muscle strength, posture and fine-motor control. An occupational therapist can assess the underlying cause and build strength and coordination through targeted activities.
My child writes very slowly and takes hours to finish homework. How can I help?
Slow writing often comes from spacing difficulty, posture, or arm positioning rather than effort. An OT assessment can target the cause; at home, break work into short chunks and build fine-motor strength through play.
How can I improve my child's pencil grasp and writing?
Short writing tools (golf pencils, crayon stubs) and vertical surfaces (an easel or paper taped to a wall) naturally encourage a better grasp. Build the underlying hand strength first with fine-motor play — tongs, clothes pegs, buttons, and squeezing sponges.
What activities improve balance and body awareness (vestibular input)?
Swinging, sliding, rocking, riding ride-on toys, walking on uneven surfaces, seesaws, and 'tummy-down, head-up' play all give helpful vestibular input. An occupational therapist can tailor a 'sensory diet' to your child.
How can I improve my child's attention?
Make eye contact, keep predictable routines, focus on one task at a time, allow movement breaks, start with simple tasks, and reward effort. An occupational therapist can identify sensory factors affecting focus.
Is there a specific diet for a child with oral-motor or sensory issues?
There's no one-size-fits-all diet — children differ. Explore new foods without pressure, experiment with colours, textures and smells, and use firm pressure input (like brushing) as guided by your therapist.

Autism (ASD)

Why does my child have autism (ASD)?
There is no single known cause. Both genetics and environment are thought to contribute. Importantly, it isn't caused by parenting — and identifying a 'reason' matters far less than starting the right support early.
What are the levels of autism spectrum disorder?
ASD is described in three support levels: Level 1 (requiring support), Level 2 (requiring substantial support), and Level 3 (requiring very substantial support). The level reflects how much day-to-day support a child needs.
Can autism occur alongside other conditions?
Yes. ASD frequently co-occurs with conditions such as language disorders, learning difficulties, intellectual differences, epilepsy, and sleep difficulties. A thorough assessment looks at the whole child.
What are some common myths about autism?
A common myth is that autistic people don't feel emotions or can't empathise — they do; they often just experience and express emotions differently. Another is that every autistic child has a 'special talent'. Each child is an individual.
Why is early diagnosis of autism important?
Early diagnosis allows intervention during the years when the brain is most adaptable. Starting support early tends to improve communication, learning and adaptive skills, and better long-term outcomes.
My child has ASD — will he live a normal adult life?
Many autistic people lead full, independent adult lives. With early intervention and the right support, skills grow and many challenges ease over time. The goal is to help each child reach their own potential.
What tools are used to assess for autism?
Assessment uses standardised rating tools such as the CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) or GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale), carried out by a clinical psychologist or developmental paediatrician as part of a comprehensive evaluation — not a single questionnaire, and not a diagnosis on its own.
Family outings are hard with my autistic child. Any tips?
Use social stories to preview the outing, role-play the visit beforehand, start small, bring familiar distractions (toys, snacks), and reward calm participation with a preferred activity. Build up gradually.

Early Intervention

Will an Early Intervention Program limit my child's chance to socialise with typical peers?
Generally no. Early Intervention offers smaller classes, a multidisciplinary team and stronger, well-supported peer relationships — often building the very social skills a child needs to thrive in mainstream settings later.
What's the difference between an Early Intervention Program and normal preschool?
Early Intervention provides therapy tailored to each child — holistic assessment, an individualised plan (IFSP/IEP) and a multidisciplinary team working on specific developmental goals. A typical preschool focuses on age-grouped academics in larger groups; EIP is targeted developmental support, not general schooling.
How long will my child need therapy?
There's no fixed timeline. Intensity and duration depend on your child's needs and your family's goals, and are reviewed regularly. Consistency is the biggest factor in progress.

Behaviour & Emotions

My child gets very emotional when things don't go his way. How do I help?
Help your child label emotions so they become aware of them. Discipline the behaviour, not the feeling — stay calm, avoid reinforcing outbursts, and give attention and praise for calm moments.
Teachers say my child can't sit still in class. What can I do?
Check common triggers first — sleep, diet (high sugar), or an underlying learning difficulty. Morning physical play helps 'use up' energy, and a simple reward chart can support focus. If it persists, ask for an assessment.
My child screams at the barber. What should I do?
Identify the trigger (often the razor's sound or touch), change the setting (try haircuts at shower time), use distraction, role-play with toy scissors first, and build up in small, gradual steps.
My child climbs and jumps from dangerous heights. How do I teach him it's unsafe?
Calmly stop the behaviour, explain the consequence simply, and redirect to a safe alternative that meets the same need (like a trampoline or crash mat). Be consistent every time.
How do I help with hand-flapping or finger-flicking?
These behaviours usually serve a purpose — expressing excitement or seeking sensory input. Rather than simply stopping it, teach an appropriate way to express the feeling and offer an alternative sensory activity that meets the same need.
My child throws toys and makes a mess. What should I do?
Treat the behaviour as an attempt to communicate. Model the correct way to play, set clear and consistent limits about what's okay, and try not to take it personally — redirect rather than react.
My child loves to spin on the office chair. Should I worry?
Spinning is often vestibular-seeking — the body looking for movement input. Offer safe alternatives that provide the same input (swinging, spinning toys), then gently interrupt and redirect when needed.
Any tips for breaking my child's rigidity around routines?
Tweak routines gradually and make change playful — games with small, changing rules help a child learn that transitions can be enjoyable rather than something to fear.
My child runs around the house constantly. Should I stop it?
Active children need movement — toddlers and pre-schoolers need several hours of active play daily, and school-aged children need about 60 minutes of moderate activity. Rather than stopping it, channel the energy into purposeful play.

Learning & Homework

My child refuses homework and throws tantrums. How do I help?
A simple 'homework contract' that sets out expectations and a routine helps. Tailor it to the real challenge (often time-management), do the first items together, and revisit the plan as the workload changes.
My child has become stagnant academically. What can I do?
Support interests outside school, communicate with teachers, do homework together, and reward effort rather than results with praise and encouragement. If progress stays stuck, ask for an assessment.
How can I support my child's learning at home?
Read to your child from an early age, count and name things together, respond to their attempts to communicate, keep stable routines, and talk about colours, shapes and numbers in everyday life.
My child can't focus during online classes. What helps?
Create a dedicated, quiet study space, keep a consistent schedule, remove distractions (TV, phones), and build in short movement breaks (jumping jacks, push-ups) between sessions.

Diet & Nutrition

Does a gluten-free diet help my child with ASD or ADHD?
Some families report improvements in attention, sleep or activity with gluten-free/casein-free diets, but evidence is mixed and responses vary. Always consult your doctor or a dietitian before making major dietary changes.
Can omega-3 fish oil improve my child's condition?
Some studies suggest omega-3/omega-6 may support attention and learning in some children, but results are not conclusive. Discuss supplements with your paediatrician or dietitian first.
Does sugar make my child hyperactive?
Research has not found that sugar directly causes hyperactivity — other factors (routine, mood, environment, expectations) play a bigger role. Moderate sugar with normal parental monitoring is the sensible approach.

Screen Time

Are digital gadgets bad for my child?
Without limits and supervision, overuse is linked to speech delay, attention difficulties and poorer sleep. The key is balance: filtered, age-appropriate content, clear limits, and plenty of real-world play.
How much screen time should I allow?
General guidance: avoid screens under age 2, keep it minimal and co-viewed for ages 2–5 (around an hour or less of quality content), and switch screens off about an hour before bed to protect sleep.

ADHD

My child has ADHD — is medication a must?
No. Medication is one option, not a requirement. Psychotherapy and occupational therapy — alone or combined — help many children. Discuss the right approach for your child with your doctor.

Milestones

What should an 18–24 month old be able to say?
Around 18 months, many toddlers name familiar objects and imitate sounds. By about 24 months, many begin joining two to three words together (for example, 'Mummy car'). Children vary — a clear gap is worth checking.
When should I start potty training?
Begin when your child shows readiness — staying dry for two or more hours, noticing the need to go, following you to the bathroom, removing clothes, and signalling the need in words or gestures.
How do I know if my baby or toddler is at risk of developmental delay?
Watch for risk factors (prematurity, low birth weight, birth complications) and red flags such as poor eye contact, not responding to sound, unusual quietness, or little interest during play. When in doubt, ask for a screening — early is always better.
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