Sophie Hamdorf, Foundation Communications & Marketing Manager, recently visited Let’s Talk Playgroup to see how Ansuya Rajoo’s Merriwa group in Western Australia was coming along. Being the end of second term it proved to be a good time to catch up with some of the parents that have found the service extremely rewarding and beneficial. Sophie spoke with Summer’s mum, Jan, who has had some fantastic results through the program.

How long have you been coming to Let’s Talk Playgroup?
This is the last day of my second term!

What made you first think that Summer had speech delay?
Comparing to friends, it was clear that they were speaking in sentences and Summer was struggling.

How old is Summer?
Three years and four months.

How have you found the two terms with Let’s Talk Playgroup?
Fantastic!! It has changed our life completely! In the public system the wait to see a Speech Pathologist is up to six months. Let’s Talk Playgroup has allowed us to access a great deal of information about speech delay which we then apply at home. It has made a world of difference.

Was Summer talking much at all before you realised there was an issue with her speech?
She did talk, (some children obviously don’t at all) but she it was all singular words not sentences; with very poor pronunciation and a definite delay behind her friends with comprehension of concepts.

How many sessions did you attend before you started noticing results?
I noticed results within a week! With Ansuya also being a speech pathologist I was able to learn how to speak to Summer at Summer’s level, so that she could understand me. Once Summer could understand me then obviously the communication was much easier. There were differences within the first and second week – that is how effective the group is.

Did it make a difference with how you interacted with Summer at home as well?
Yes, huge... I went home and taught her dad how to speak to Summer. It was difficult at first because we had to speak in sentences of no more than two words, possibly three and then increased it as she caught up to speed. Now we talk to her as normal adults would talk.

What does Summer like the most about coming here?
Fruit time!! No, it would probably the crafts, Ansuya brings so many other things to your attention for example; why your child has the delay in the speech and for me we have recognised that it is really an attention thing – so the playgroup is fantastic because there is a routine and also means uninterrupted time between the two of us without my one year old around.

Would you recommend this group to other parents of speech delayed children?
Absolutely!! I have recommended it to a lot of people already. Speech delay is really quite common for one reason or another and there are people that don’t even know that these playgroups are available. Some health nurses don’t even offer it as option. By the time I got my appointment for the speech pathologist she had almost caught up to speed and I was convinced that Summer would have to go to a special school – her speech was shocking compared to her friends and now it is just a mild delay.

If you think your child might be experiencing speech delay or hearing difficulties and could benefit from our Let's Talk Play Group Program please contact the Foundation on (08) 9382 4292.