What to Do If Your Toddler Needs Speech Therapy but Doesn’t Qualify for Early Intervention
When you suspect your toddler needs support with their speech and language development, it can be frustrating to hear that they don’t qualify for early intervention services or are placed on a long waitlist. You know they need help, but where do you turn when early intervention services aren’t an option right now?
You are not alone in this process, and there are practical steps you can take to support your child’s language development at home while you explore other options.
Understanding Early Intervention & Qualification Criteria
What Is Early Intervention?
Early intervention refers to publicly funded services designed to support young children who have developmental delays, disabilities, or conditions affecting their learning and communication. Each state or region has its own qualification guidelines, meaning some children who could benefit from services may not meet the criteria, and therefore, are not eligible to receive early intervention services.
Why Didn’t My Child Qualify?
After your child’s evaluation, you should have received an explanation of the results. Understanding why they didn’t qualify can help guide your next steps. Consider asking:
Was the decision based on standardized scores alone, or was clinical judgment involved?
How close was my child to the qualification threshold?
Can I appeal or request additional assessments?
If I’d like a re-evaluation in the future, when is that possible?
If you feel your child still needs support, there are other ways to help while you explore alternative options.
Know Where Your Child Stands in Their Language Development
Understanding where your child is with their language development is the first step in knowing how to support them. Our free milestone checklist makes it easy to see which skills they currently have and know what to expect next. Download it now to gain clarity and confidence to meet your child where they’re at!
Alternative In-Person Support Options
Even if your child doesn’t qualify for early intervention, there may be other resources available in your area. Here’s where to start:
✔ Private Speech Therapy – Private speech-language pathologists (SLPs) offer one-on-one therapy outside of the early intervention system. Typically, the eligibility requirements for therapy aren’t as strict, meaning if your child has a mild expressive delay and there are no other concerns, they would still be eligible to receive support. Some insurance plans cover therapy, and sliding scale payment options may be available.
✔ University Speech Clinics – Many universities with speech-language pathology programs offer low-cost or free speech therapy provided by graduate students under the supervision of licensed SLPs. These clinics often have shorter wait times than private practices.
✔ Community Programs – Check with your local library, community center, or early childhood organizations for language-based playgroups or story times. Although these programs aren’t a substitution for one-on-one therapy, these can be great for building communication in a natural environment.
✔ Parent Support Groups – Connecting with other families navigating similar concerns can offer support, advice, and encouragement.
How to Support Your Child’s Speech at Home
While you wait for formal services, your everyday interactions can be powerful in supporting your child’s speech and language development. It’s important to understand where your child is at with their development, because not all tips and strategies apply for every child.
If your toddler has a good foundation of the skills that develop before first words, here are three simple, yet effective strategies to get you started:
1. Model, Model, Model
Narrating your daily activities provides a natural way for your child to hear and absorb language. Pick one routine—like getting dressed, mealtime, or bathtime—and consistently describe what’s happening. This helps them learn the vocabulary associated with meaningful activities.
2. Slow Down and Pause
We often speak quickly without realizing it! Try slowing down your speech a bit to give your child a little extra time to process and respond. Instead of quizzing (What’s this? What’s that? What color is it?, etc.), make simple statements and leave pauses so that your child has the opportunity to communicate.
3. Follow Their Interests
Children learn best when they are engaged in what they love. Whether it’s building with blocks, playing with toy cars, or banging on pots and pans, join in their play and chat about what they’re doing or what they seem to notice. This way, you’ll introduce new words related to what they’re doing and they’ll be able to form meaningful connections.
Helpful Resources
Want to learn more? We have plenty of free resources to help you understand speech and language development:
Podcast: What Causes a Speech and Language Delay? – Learn what actually leads to speech delays (and what doesn’t).
What Is a Late Talker? – Understanding the difference between a late talker and a language delay.
Do Speech-Delayed Toddlers Catch Up? – Find out what research says about late talkers.
Best Age for Speech Therapy – Is there a right time to start therapy?
The Cost of Speech Therapy for Toddlers – A breakdown of what to expect and potential financial options.
Looking for More Support? Don’t “Wait-and-See”
If you’re looking for step-by-step guidance to help your toddler talk and communicate more, TalkToddler is here for you! It’s so important to be proactive and do all you can at home to support your child.
Created by pediatric speech-language pathologists with 25+ years of experience, TalkToddler is a self-paced, online course designed to give you the proven strategies we use with families every day.
You'll learn how to:
+ Help your child say more words and build sentences
+ Use simple daily routines to boost language naturally
+ Support your child’s speech without feeling lost or overwhelmed
🔗 Learn more about TalkToddler here
Final Thoughts
We know how frustrating and disheartening it can feel when your child doesn’t qualify for services but still needs support. You are not alone, and there are so many ways to help your child’s communication skills grow.
Keep modeling, slowing down, and following their interests—and know that we are here to support and encourage you every step of the way.
In it with you,
Katie + Carly
Ready for More Support?
Join our TalkToddler course today to get expert guidance on helping your child talk more and communicate with confidence → Learn More
