What Parents Experience While Waiting for Speech Therapy or Developmental Support

There is a moment many parents remember clearly.

The moment when the words referral, waiting list, or assessment first enter your life.

Suddenly you find yourself learning a whole new language.

SLT. OT. AON. Sensory regulation. Early intervention.

Words and acronyms you had never heard before suddenly become part of everyday conversation.

It can feel like stepping into an entirely new world overnight.

A world you never expected to navigate.

And with that comes something many parents quietly carry: the realisation that the picture you once had of this chapter of your life may look different than you imagined.

You begin to let go of what you thought things might look like and slowly learn how to embrace a new path forward.

Becoming an advocate overnight

Like so many parents in this situation, you quickly find yourself stepping into roles you never expected.

You become an advocate for your child.

A researcher, learning everything you can.

A therapist at home, trying to help however possible.

You begin learning everything you possibly can about speech therapy, occupational therapy, assessments, and developmental support.

You read articles late at night.

You search for speech delay activities and ways to support your child's development at home.

You send email after email.

You make phone call after phone call.

You chase referrals, follow up on waiting lists, and fight for every appointment.

And yet many parents find themselves in the same position months or even years later.

Still waiting.

Waiting for speech therapy.

Waiting for occupational therapy support.

Waiting for an assessment.

Waiting for someone to show you the roadmap.

The uncertainty that comes with waiting

One of the hardest parts of this journey is the uncertainty.

You don't know when that first consistent speech therapy appointment will come.

You don't know when your child's assessment will finally happen.

Many families adjust their finances to try to fund private therapy, only to discover that waiting lists exist there too.

Some parents travel long distances in the hope of securing regular support.

You do whatever you can to help your child.

Because every parent is simply trying to do the very best they can.

Finding comfort in parents who understand

Something shifts when you meet other parents walking the same path.

There is an understanding that doesn't require long explanations.

You don't have to start from the beginning.

You can simply say:

"We're still waiting for the assessment."

And the person across from you understands exactly what that means.

There is comfort in that shared experience.

Because suddenly you realise something important:

You are not the only family navigating this road.

Across Ireland, thousands of families are supporting children with additional needs while waiting for services.

And many of those parents are finding connection and support through communities built by families who truly understand.

Organisations and communities that can help

Along the way, many families connect with organisations doing important work to support parents navigating additional needs.

Organisations such as Galway Autism Partnership, Inclusion Ireland, AsIAm, and Sensational Kids provide information and community for many families across Ireland.

Local branches of Down Syndrome Ireland and Autism Ireland also run parent programmes in different parts of the country.

Schools often have informal parent networks too.

Sometimes support begins with something very simple.

A conversation in the school car park.

A message in a WhatsApp group.

A comment on a Facebook post late at night.

These small connections can become incredibly valuable.

Because speaking to someone who truly understands can make the journey feel a little less overwhelming.

Where to start if you feel unsure

If you are unsure where to begin, there are several places that may help guide you.

Your child's school, GP, or local primary care centre may be able to tell you about parent support groups in your area.

Citizens Information can also help families understand what services and supports are available in Ireland.

And for many parents, the first connections are made online through parent support communities.

Sometimes geography matters less than shared experience.

This journey is yours.

But you do not have to walk it alone.

One of the reasons I started building VerbaNexa

Like many parents, I found myself trying to piece together advice from dozens of different places while waiting for support.

Different websites.

Different professionals.

Different opinions.

I kept thinking there had to be a better way for families to know what to do at home while waiting for therapy.

That is what VerbaNexa is being built to help with.

A way for parents to receive simple, personalised activities to support their child's development at home, informed by clinical best practice and designed to fit into everyday family life.

VerbaNexa is not live yet.

But we are getting close.

If this resonates with you, you are very welcome to join our early access list and be among the first families invited when VerbaNexa opens.