Knowing When to Reach Out: My Family’s Journey with Early Delays
- Janiata Malone
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 11
As a parent, watching your child grow is one of life's greatest joys. But it often comes with worries, especially when it comes to developmental milestones. Questions about whether your child is on track are common. As a first-time parent and an occupational therapist who hadn’t worked with children, I found myself worrying about my baby’s development. I noticed red flags early on—sleep was a constant struggle, my baby developed a flat spot on her head (what health professionals call plagiocephaly) and needed a helmet to fix it, and she had trouble moving, using her hands, and separating from me. Each time my husband and I voiced our concerns, we were reassured by well-meaning family and friends that it was nothing to worry about, but something in my gut told me to persist. Trusting those instincts and continuing to ask for help made all the difference, and ultimately, this journey inspired me to change direction in my career and focus on paediatrics, so I could help other families navigating the same uncertainties. And I've been doing just that for over 20 years now!
In this post, I’ll share how to spot early signs of developmental delays in speech and motor skills for children aged 0–5, and when it’s important to seek professional support. I’ll also cover practical ways to access therapy and early intervention services, with a special focus on what’s available here in Gympie, Queensland.
Recognising Early Signs of Speech and Motor Delays
Early signs of developmental delay can be easy to overlook. I became concerned when my daughter was slower to babble and, by 12 months, wasn’t making as many sounds as expected. Most children say their first words by 12 months and begin forming simple sentences by age 2. About 1 in 10 children experience speech or language delays. If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with your GP or a qualified health professional. In Queensland, Queensland Health’s Child Health Services can provide assessment and referrals to speech pathologists if needed. Early intervention is key—don’t hesitate to seek support if you notice any delays.
Early motor milestones are important markers in a child’s development—by about 15 months, most children are walking and often starting to run. My daughter struggled early on with sitting, rolling, and crawling, so we consulted a paediatric physiotherapist. Even after this, she continued to have difficulties with motor skills like stumbling, falling, struggling to grasp objects, and challenges using her hands in daily activities—all signs that we needed additional support. Although I was already an occupational therapist, my experience wasn’t with children, so we made sure to seek advice from professionals with experience in paediatrics.
When To Seek Help
Deciding when to seek help for your child's development can be overwhelming. If your child is missing developmental milestones, it is a good idea to contact a paediatric occupational therapist or speech therapist to discuss your worries.
Here are some indicators that it may be time to seek assistance:
Limited vocabulary or challenges in producing sounds (speech delays)
Reluctance or difficulty engaging in physical play (motor skills)
Ongoing challenges understanding simple instructions (cognitive skills)
Difficulty interacting with other children, making friends, or showing little interest in social play unless it is on their terms (social red flags)
The following is a link to the Queensland Health website that provides more detail on red flags/areas of concern that could indicate further assessment is recommended:
Understanding Funding Options
Healthy Play Program - Gympie
The Healthy Play program in Gympie is a free community initiative designed to support early childhood development through play-based activities, education, and access to allied health services for families with children aged 0–5 years.
How to Access Healthy Play in Gympie:
No Cost: Participation is free—there is no enrolment or session fee.
Drop-In Play Sessions: Healthy Play hosts mobile and pop-up play sessions at various family-friendly locations across Gympie, such as parks, community centres, shopping centres, and the Anglicare Early Years Hub (O'Connell St). You do not need to register—families can simply arrive at any scheduled session.
When & Where: Sessions are held regularly, such as on the first Friday of each month at the Anglicare Early Years Hub. The schedule may change, so families are encouraged to contact Healthy Play directly or follow “Healthy Play Gympie” on Facebook for up-to-date session details.
What Happens at Sessions: Play sessions include fun developmental activities, group education for parents, free pre-screening with health professionals, and short-term access to allied health supports. A social worker is available to help families navigate health and social services.
Further Support: If a child is identified as needing additional help, staff will assist the family with referrals and connections to other health or therapy services in the community.
Contact Details:
For more information or to find out about upcoming sessions, you can call Healthy Play directly at 0497 159 254 or contact Gympie Community Place at (07) 5482 1147. You can also visit the Gympie Community Place website or Healthy Play Gympie’s Facebook page for updates.
This program is especially helpful for families who may face barriers accessing traditional health services, offering a welcoming first step towards early intervention and ongoing support.
Medicare
Families can access Medicare rebates for both occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy in Australia, including in Queensland, through the Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM)—previously known as the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program.
How Rebates Work:
You can receive up to 5 rebated allied health sessions per calendar year under this plan. These 5 sessions are total across all eligible allied health services (not 5 each for OT and speech therapy), so they can be split between OT, speech therapy, physiotherapy, etc.
To be eligible, your child must have a chronic condition (present or likely to be present for at least 6 months) and require multidisciplinary, team-based care. Your GP coordinates the referral.
The current Medicare rebate is around $58–$60 per session. The exact amount may vary slightly with annual indexation.
After paying the full session fee (which generally includes out of pocket costs), you can claim the rebate through Medicare.
Process to Access Rebates:
Book an appointment with your GP and discuss your child’s needs.
Ask your GP for a CDM plan and referral to the allied health professionals (specifying the clinic or provider if you wish).
Email or deliver the referral paperwork to your OT or speech therapist at your first appointment.
Pay for the session in full; the provider will give you a receipt with Medicare claim details.
Claim the rebate through the Express Plus Medicare app, Medicare online.
Important Notes:
The CDM plan must be renewed each year with your GP.
The rebate does not cover the total cost—most clinics charge a gap fee.
Extra funding or rebates may be available in special circumstances (e.g. for autism assessments or NDIS participants); ask your GP or therapist for details.
Accessing the NDIS
Families in Gympie can access NDIS funding for occupational therapy and speech therapy for children under 9 through the Early Childhood Approach, delivered locally by BUSHkids. Over 9's are also eligible for the NDIS, but there are some slightly different rules and the partner is Carer's Queensland in Gympie. Here’s a more detailed overview of the process, services, and key details:
Who is Eligible:
Children under 9 with disability or significant developmental delays.
No formal diagnosis is needed for children under 6; concerns about development are enough to begin the process.
How to Start:
Contact BUSHkids Gympie:
Phone: (07) 5209 6020 or (07) 4160 4600
Email: bushkids@ndis.gov.au
Address: 16 Redhill Road, Gympie QLD 4570.
You do not need a GP referral—families can contact BUSHkids directly.
For general information about the NDIS Early Childhood Approach, you can also visit the NDIS website.
Closing Thoughts
Reaching out to experts can open up new understanding about your child’s development—and finding the right support within your community can make a world of difference. Many parents have felt the same worries and uncertainties you might be experiencing now, and joining local support groups (like those on Facebook) can help you connect, share stories, and find encouragement.
Navigating your child’s milestones can feel overwhelming, but trust your instincts—they’re there for a reason. From my own journey, I’ve seen how early help, like speech or occupational therapy, can truly change the course of a child’s life.
If you’re worried about your child’s speech or movement skills, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for guidance. Programs including Queensland Health, BUSHkids, Medicare, and the NDIS exist to support you and your family.
Remember, you’re not alone in this—so many families have walked this path. By supporting each other, we help our children grow and flourish. Wishing you clear answers and caring connections as you help your child thrive.
Janiata Malone
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