Lauren Pritchard, Author at Talking Kids

Is a Home Sleep Study Brisbane Better Than In-Clinic Testing?

April 20, 2026

by Lauren Pritchard Sleep Study

For many people in Brisbane, a home sleep study can be a better first step than in-clinic testing because it is cheaper, faster to book, and more comfortable. But it is not automatically “better” for everyone, since some symptoms and medical histories require the extra detail a lab can capture.

The right choice depends on what they need to diagnose, how complex their sleep problem looks, and what their doctor is trying to rule out when considering a home sleep study Brisbane compared to in-clinic testing.

Is a home sleep study in Brisbane accurate enough for sleep apnoea?

Yes, for straightforward suspected obstructive sleep apnoea, home sleep studies are usually accurate enough to confirm the condition and guide treatment. They measure breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and airflow patterns that reveal apnoea events.

Accuracy can drop if they have other sleep disorders, significant heart or lung disease, or if the sensors are applied poorly. Most providers include instructions and phone support to reduce recording errors.

What does an in-clinic sleep study measure that home testing can miss?

In-clinic testing measures far more signals, including brain activity (EEG), eye movements, muscle tone, limb movements, and detailed sleep staging. That extra data helps identify issues beyond breathing, such as parasomnias, seizures during sleep, narcolepsy, and complex movement disorders. Click here to understand more about narcolepsy.

Home studies mainly focus on breathing-related sleep disorders. If they need a full picture of sleep architecture and arousals, a lab study can be more informative.

Which option is more comfortable for most people?

A home sleep study is usually more comfortable because they can sleep in their own bed, follow their normal routine, and avoid an unfamiliar environment. That often leads to a more typical night of sleep.

In-clinic studies can feel intrusive due to multiple sensors and the clinic setting. However, some people sleep better in a controlled environment, especially if their home is noisy or chaotic.

Is a home sleep study in Brisbane faster to access?

Often, yes. Home sleep studies are commonly easier to schedule because they do not require an overnight clinic bed and staffing on the same scale. Many services can arrange equipment pickup or delivery quickly.

In-clinic studies can involve longer wait times, especially during busy periods. If their symptoms are affecting safety, such as drowsy driving, speed of access may matter.

How do costs typically compare between home and in-clinic testing?

Home sleep studies are typically cheaper because they use less equipment, fewer channels, and less overnight staffing. For people paying privately, that price difference can be significant.

In-clinic testing costs more due to the facility, sleep technicians, and comprehensive monitoring. Depending on their circumstances, rebates or referral pathways may change the final out-of-pocket cost, so they should confirm pricing before booking. Lean more about diagnosing clinical sleep disorders.

When is in-clinic testing the better choice?

In-clinic testing is often better when symptoms suggest something more complex than obstructive sleep apnoea or when prior home testing was inconclusive. It can also be the safer option for people with significant medical comorbidities where close monitoring is important.

It may be recommended if they have suspected central sleep apnoea, neuromuscular conditions affecting breathing, unusual nighttime behaviours, severe insomnia needing detailed assessment, or persistent symptoms despite treatment.

Can a home sleep study be “better” for treatment setup like CPAP?

For many uncomplicated cases, yes. A home sleep study can confirm obstructive sleep apnoea and support a streamlined pathway to CPAP therapy, especially when paired with a clinician review and follow-up.

However, some people need more nuanced titration or investigation before treatment. If they have complex breathing patterns, significant oxygen drops, or mixed apnoea types, a lab-based assessment can better guide next steps.

What should they consider before choosing a provider in Brisbane?

They should look for a service that includes proper clinical oversight, clear instructions, and a formal report reviewed by a qualified sleep physician or experienced clinician. Good follow-up matters because the test is only useful if it leads to an accurate diagnosis and a practical plan.

They should also ask what happens if the recording fails, whether a repeat is included, and how quickly results are delivered to them and their referring doctor.

So, is a home sleep study Brisbane better than in-clinic testing?

A home sleep study in Brisbane is often better as a first-line option for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea because it is convenient, comfortable, and cost-effective. In-clinic testing is better when the situation is complex, the risks are higher, or they need detailed sleep staging and broader diagnostic coverage.

The simplest rule is this: if their symptoms look straightforward, home testing is usually enough; if anything feels unclear, severe, or unusual, a clinic study is more likely to provide answers.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the advantages of a home sleep study in Brisbane compared to in-clinic testing?

A home sleep study in Brisbane is often cheaper, faster to book, and more comfortable since you can sleep in your own bed and follow your normal routine. It is a convenient first step for diagnosing straightforward obstructive sleep apnoea.

Is a home sleep study accurate enough to diagnose sleep apnoea?

Yes, for straightforward suspected obstructive sleep apnoea, home sleep studies usually provide accurate measurements of breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and airflow patterns to confirm the condition and guide treatment. However, accuracy may decrease if other complex conditions are present or if sensors are not applied properly.

When should I consider an in-clinic sleep study over a home test?

An in-clinic sleep study is better when symptoms suggest complex sleep disorders beyond obstructive sleep apnoea, such as parasomnias, seizures during sleep, narcolepsy, or movement disorders. It is also recommended if prior home testing was inconclusive or if you have significant medical comorbidities requiring close monitoring.

How do comfort levels compare between home and in-clinic sleep studies?

Most people find home sleep studies more comfortable because they can stay in their familiar environment and maintain their usual bedtime routine. In-clinic studies involve multiple sensors and an unfamiliar setting which some may find intrusive, though certain individuals may prefer the controlled environment of a clinic.

Are home sleep studies quicker to access than in-clinic tests in Brisbane?

Often yes. Home sleep studies typically have shorter wait times because they do not require overnight clinic beds or extensive staffing. Many providers offer quick equipment pickup or delivery services, making them accessible especially when timely diagnosis is important.

How do costs differ between home and in-clinic sleep studies?

Home sleep studies generally cost less due to simpler equipment and reduced staffing needs. In contrast, in-clinic tests are more expensive because of comprehensive monitoring and facility fees. Costs can vary based on private payment options, rebates, or referral pathways, so it’s advisable to confirm pricing before booking.

Everything You Need to Know Before Getting a Sleep Study Adelaide

April 18, 2026

by Lauren Pritchard Sleep Study

A sleep study in Adelaide helps clinicians figure out why someone is not sleeping well, snoring loudly, or feeling exhausted during the day. It records key body signals overnight so a sleep physician can diagnose issues like obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia patterns, or movement disorders.

For many people, the hardest part is not the test itself. It is knowing what to expect, what it can and cannot show, and how to prepare so the results are useful when considering a sleep study Adelaide and ensuring the process provides accurate insights into sleep health.

What is a sleep study, and what does it measure?

A sleep study records sleep and breathing to identify disruptions that someone cannot see at home. It typically tracks airflow, oxygen levels, breathing effort, heart rate, body position, and snoring.

In more comprehensive studies, it can also measure brain activity and sleep stages. That extra detail helps clinicians separate problems such as apnoea, insomnia, and unusual movements during sleep.

Who should consider a sleep study in Adelaide?

They should consider a sleep study if they have symptoms that suggest a sleep disorder that needs confirmation. Common triggers include loud snoring, choking or gasping at night, witnessed pauses in breathing, morning headaches, or persistent daytime sleepiness.

It can also be relevant for people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or weight gain where sleep apnoea is suspected. Some may be referred because of fatigue-related driving risk or work safety concerns. You may also visit https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/type-2-diabetes to get more kowledge about type 2 diabetes.

How do they know if they need a home study or an in-lab study?

The best option depends on symptoms, medical history, and what the clinician needs to rule in or out. Home sleep studies are often used when obstructive sleep apnoea is strongly suspected and there are no complex medical issues.

In-lab studies are more suitable if they have significant heart or lung disease, suspected central sleep apnoea, unusual movements, possible narcolepsy, or when prior testing was unclear. In-lab testing can also capture more signals and sleep stages.

What happens during a home sleep study?

A home sleep study usually involves a small portable device they wear for one night. It commonly includes a nasal cannula to measure airflow, a finger probe for oxygen, and belts around the chest or abdomen for breathing effort.

They set it up before bed, sleep in their own environment, then return the equipment the next day. Because it is done at home, the night can feel more normal, though sensors can still take a little getting used to.

What happens during an in-lab sleep study?

In-lab studies are done overnight in a sleep clinic where trained staff monitor signals throughout the night. They are fitted with sensors that may include scalp electrodes for sleep stages, eye movement sensors, muscle sensors, breathing measures, and oxygen monitoring. Learn more about overnight diagnostic sleep studies.

Staff can troubleshoot sensors if they fall off and may add extra monitoring if needed. The environment is designed for sleep, but it still differs from home, which can slightly affect how quickly they fall asleep.

How should they prepare the day of the sleep study?

They should aim for a typical day so the test reflects normal sleep. Most clinics recommend avoiding naps, limiting caffeine later in the day, and avoiding alcohol because it can worsen snoring and apnoea.

They should follow medication instructions from the referring clinician and bring their usual bedtime items if attending in-lab. Clean, dry skin can help sensors stick properly, so heavy lotions and hair products are best avoided.

What should they bring if the sleep study is in a clinic?

They should bring comfortable sleepwear, toiletries, and any nighttime medications they normally take. If they use a mouthguard or other sleep device, they should bring it unless told otherwise.

Many people also bring a book or headphones to wind down. They can ask ahead about parking, check-in times, and whether they can eat a light snack before settling in.

What do sleep study results usually show?

Results usually show whether breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep and how severe those interruptions are. For suspected sleep apnoea, clinicians often focus on indices that count breathing events and how low oxygen levels drop.

They may also comment on snoring, sleep position effects, heart rate changes, and sleep quality. For in-lab studies, results can include sleep stage distribution and arousal patterns.

How long does it take to get results and next steps?

It often takes days to a couple of weeks, depending on the clinic and whether a sleep physician needs to review a detailed report. Once results are in, they may be offered a follow-up appointment to explain what was found.

If sleep apnoea is diagnosed, next steps can include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, weight management support, positional therapy, or referral to an ENT specialist. If apnoea is not present, the clinician may investigate insomnia, restless legs, or circadian issues.

What are the most common concerns, and what should they know?

Many worry they will not sleep, but clinicians can still get useful data even if sleep is shorter than usual. Others worry the equipment will hurt, but sensors are designed to be non-invasive and safe.

Some also assume snoring always equals apnoea, which is not always true. A sleep study is helpful because it separates simple snoring from clinically significant breathing disruption that needs treatment.

How can they make sure their sleep study is as accurate as possible?

They should follow setup instructions carefully and try to sleep as normally as possible. For home studies, correct placement of sensors and keeping the device on overnight are the biggest factors.

They should also tell the clinician about typical sleep habits, alcohol use, medications, and nasal congestion, since those can affect breathing. If the night was unusual, they should mention it so the report is interpreted in context.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a sleep study in Adelaide and what does it measure?

A sleep study in Adelaide records key body signals overnight to help clinicians diagnose sleep issues. It measures airflow, oxygen levels, breathing effort, heart rate, body position, and snoring. More comprehensive studies also track brain activity and sleep stages to identify problems like obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, or movement disorders.

Who should consider undergoing a sleep study in Adelaide?

Individuals experiencing symptoms such as loud snoring, choking or gasping at night, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches, or persistent daytime sleepiness should consider a sleep study. It is also relevant for people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, weight gain where sleep apnoea is suspected, or those with fatigue-related driving risks or work safety concerns.

How do I know if I need a home sleep study or an in-lab sleep study?

The choice depends on your symptoms and medical history. Home sleep studies are suitable when obstructive sleep apnoea is strongly suspected without complex health issues. In-lab studies are better for those with significant heart or lung disease, suspected central sleep apnoea, unusual movements during sleep, possible narcolepsy, or unclear prior tests. In-lab studies capture more detailed signals including sleep stages.

What should I expect during a home sleep study?

During a home sleep study in Adelaide, you will wear a small portable device overnight that includes sensors like a nasal cannula for airflow, a finger probe for oxygen levels, and belts around the chest or abdomen to measure breathing effort. You’ll set up the equipment before bed and return it the next day. Although done at home for comfort, some sensors may take getting used to.

How can I prepare for my sleep study to ensure accurate results?

To prepare for your sleep study in Adelaide, aim for a typical day by avoiding naps and limiting caffeine later in the day. Avoid alcohol as it can worsen snoring and apnoea. Follow medication instructions from your clinician and keep skin clean and dry to help sensors stick properly. For in-lab studies, bring comfortable sleepwear and any usual nighttime devices like mouthguards.

What happens after my sleep study and how long until I get results?

Sleep study results usually take from a few days up to two weeks depending on the clinic. A sleep physician reviews the data and you may have a follow-up appointment to discuss findings. If obstructive sleep apnoea is diagnosed, treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, weight management support, positional therapy, or referral to an ENT specialist. If no apnoea is found, other issues like insomnia or restless legs may be investigated.

Repetitive Books For Language Learning

October 30, 2013

by Lauren Pritchard Speech Therapy

In Books, Toddlers and Language, I told you about how reading repetitive books with infants and toddlers can be a great way to entice them into using language with you. These books are great for any child and they can also be essential tools for helping children with diagnoses such as apraxia or autism.

Here, then, is a list of my favorite repetitive books. Is one missing? E-mail us at [email protected] and share it. We’ll add it to the list. Happy Reading!

Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Polar Bear by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis
Tugga Tugga Tug Boat by Kevin Lewis
Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
Doggies by Sandra Boynton
5 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed by Eileen Christelow
5 Little Ducks by Raffi
I Went Walking by Sue Williams
Jump Frog Jump by Robert Kaplan
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
Time For Bed by Mem Fox
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman
Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli
Quiet Loud by Leslie Patricelli
Bear on a Bike by Stella Blackstone

Other Resources
All Kinds of Talk: Using Your Language to Change Your Child’s
Everything You Need to Know Before Getting a Sleep Study Adelaide

Using Expansion and Extension To Grow Your Child’s Language

March 4, 2013

by Lauren Pritchard Speech Therapy

As a pediatric speech-language therapist, I often use indirect language facilitation strategies to help grow a child’s language.

I’ve written about these strategies before, such as when I wrote about how the way you talk to your child impacts his language learning and when I described how to use self-talk and parallel talk.

This time around, I”m pulling out a couple more indirect language facilitation strategies that parents can put in their language-boosting tool box: expansion and extension. These both fall under the category of “indirect language facilitation” because they are built around a child’s utterance (what the child says) and because they do not require a response from the child. This differs from strategies that are based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis (ABA). ABA techniques usually involve a specific, targeted response from the child that is prompted or elicited, required, and reinforced. (As a slight aside, I certainly think that both child-directed/indirect language facilitation techniques AND clinician-directed/ABA strategies can be- and often should be – used together. And, there is a time and a place where each is more effective than the other. But that’s a different post all together).

Expansion and extension are very similar. The most important part of these techniques is that the parent uses them to respond to the child. This requires that a child initiate (start) an interaction somehow. The child might point, or vocalize, or say a word …. anything that starts an interaction. Then a parent either expands on or extends what the child has to say.

In my experience in working with parents, the hardest part about these strategies is that they require parents to wait. Often, when we are in teaching mode, we are inclined to instruct- to direct a child, to tell a child what to do or how to do it. Again, there is most definitely a place for this (heaven knows I have directed many children to do many things in my career). There also need to be times, however, when we respond to a child’s language instead of directing it. And that’s where expansion and extension come in.

So how are they different? When we EXPAND a child’s utterance, we keep the child’s word order the same and expand it just slightly to make it a bit longer and/or more grammatically correct. When we EXTEND a child’s utterance, we simply respond to the child’s utterance in a conversational way, providing a bit of new information that is related to what the child had to say.

So, if a child says, “Puppy outside….”

We can expand this utterance by saying, “Puppy IS outside”. We’ve expanded because we’ve kept his word order the same (puppy is the first word, outside is the second- and we haven’t changed this), but we’ve made it just a bit longer (in this case we made it just one word longer) and more grammatically correct (in this case we add in the ‘contractible copula’ grammatical morpheme- the fancy word for is). I coach parents to expand their child’s utterance just by just one or two words. This makes the newly expanded phrase a perfect match for the child – it’s not too simple because it’s longer and more complex than what the child said, but it’s not so tough that it loses meaning for the child.

Back to the “Puppy outside” phrase. If we choose not to expand it…

We can extend this utterance instead by saying, “He’s barking.” In this case, we’ve responded to the child’s utterance and we’ve stayed on the same topic (the puppy who is outside) but now we’ve added new information. We’ve extended the conversation by adding a bit more information. This is the key to extension.

Expansion and extension seem to work best with toddlers and young preschoolers, or children whose language levels match those of a typical toddler or young preschooler. These children often imitate the newly expanded or extended utterances, which we think helps them to grow their language. Plus, because we are responding to the child’s lead, we are tapping into whatever is interesting to the child at the moment, making our input (the language they hear) that much more salient, or pronounced, so that children are that much more likely to learn from it.

Research seems to indicate that many children learn language faster when their parents use more conversational language-learning strategies like expansion and extension, as compared to parents who are more directive with their children. And use of these techniques is also linked to longer utterances in children – in other words, children who are exposed to these types of responsive language facilitation techniques seem to use longer sentences overall. Seems like a good deal to me!

Other Resources
Everything You Need to Know Before Getting a Sleep Study Adelaide
Is a Home Sleep Study Brisbane Better Than In-Clinic Testing?

Communication Temptations: How Use Your Environment to Get Your Child Talking

July 12, 2011

by Lauren Pritchard Speech Therapy

Wondering how to get your child talking? We speech-language therapists have lots of tricks in our pockets to do just that. One of our very favorites involves enticing children to talk by creating what we call communication temptations (Wetherby and Prizant, 1989).This little strategy can be used to help a late-talker start talking, to help a toddler begin using two-word phrases, or to increase the chances that a young child with autism will begin communicating.

Communication temptations are pretty much just what they sound like: we set up the environment to tempt children to communicate with us. The rationale for using them is also a pretty simple one: a child is much more likely to communicate if he has a reason for doing so!

Setting up communication temptations is easy and there are lots of ways to do so. Wetherby and Prizant (1989), who formalized the term, were pretty creative in their list of examples. They suggested things such as:

Offering your child something to eat you know he dislikes,
Putting a toy in an opaque bag and shaking it to get the child’s interest,
Putting your child’s hand in something sticky or gooey such as pudding, and
Waving bye-bye and saying “bye” as you put toys in a box three times, then pausing right before you put away the next toy.

Each of these ideas has one thing in common- the environment is set up so that a child is tempted to communicate about something (“no, I don’t want that!” “what is that?” “yuck” or “bye!”). Another form of communication temptation involves enticing a child to request. This is a great place to start for any child, but it’s especially good for kids with autism, because requesting is often the easiest form of communication for these children at first.

The steps to this type of communication temptation are as follows:

Find an activity or an object that your child really enjoys. Look for an activity that is easily stopped and started (e.g., bubbles or a swing) or an object that has multiple parts that you can hand to your child (e.g., crackers that he loves to eat, cars for a car track).
Arrange the environment so that you create an obstacle to getting that object, but so that your child can see the object. For example, put your child’s favorite crackers up on a high shelf. Or, put the cars in see-through container he can’t open.
Start the activity, have a bit of fun and then stop (put the lid on the bubbles or pull him up in the swing but don’t let him go) or give himoneitem (e.g., give him one cracker or one car).
Wait! Many parents forget this part, but it’s an important one. Give your child a chance to communicate first. Ideally, we want him to communicate without us helping him (we want him to initiate the communication), so always wait first. See what he does. Look expectantly at him, like you are waiting for him to do something (which, of course, you are!)
When he communicates with you (either verbally or nonverbally):

Give him what he wants and cheer him on–especially if it’s the first time he’s used that particular word or two-word phrase, or
Build on his communication just a bit to help him move into the next stage of speech and language development.

What you actually do for step number five depends completely on your child and his current level of communication.

If your child isn’t yet using words, wait until he does something–anything– to indicate that he wants more (e.g., moves his body in anticipation, points, reaches); when he does (and he will!), say the word for what he wants, wait just a few moments more, and give it to him
If your child vocalizes to indicate he wants more but doesn’t actually say the word, say the word for him, wait just a few more seconds, and give him what he wants
If your child imitates the word, or even part of the word, give him what he wants and cheer him on!
If your child always imitates your words, but doesn’t say them on his own, try waiting progressively longer before you say the word for what he wants; wait for one second and then say the word, then (the next time), wait for two seconds before saying the word, then (the next time, wait for three seconds before saying the word….and so on. If he gets frustrated, go back to waiting a shorter amount of time and build up again.
If your child uses one word to request more of the item, use expansion to put his word into a two-word phrase for him (your child: swing! you: “more swing!”), wait for just a few more moments, and then give him what he requested
If your child uses one word, you might also want to use a choice that involves two different two-word phrases (your child: cracker!; you: “big cracker or little cracker?”) and encourage him to use the two-word phrase to make a choice
If your child uses a longer phrase, but makes an error, you can correct his error by conversationally repeating what he said (your child: “wing!” you: “sssssswing!”) and encourage him to imitate you accurately.
You might also think about using communication temptations to teach your child to use baby signs or pictures to communicate.

No matter what your child’s level, communication temptations are often a very successful way to create opportunities for your child to advance her communication skills. Tempt away!

Other Resources
Repetitive Books For Language Learning
Is a Home Sleep Study Brisbane Better Than In-Clinic Testing?

All Kinds of Talk: Using Your Language to Change Your Child’s

May 5, 2011

by Lauren Pritchard Speech Therapy

It seems almost too simple to be true: To help your child learn to talk, you’ll need to….talk to your child. And yet as simple of a concept as it is, it’s also a very powerful one. So powerful, in fact, that it appears to have long-lasting effects on your child and his development.

One oft-cited research study, for example, found that the amount of “family talk” that surrounded a child was strongly related to that child’s vocabulary and their IQ at age three…and, importantly, still at age nine (Risley and Hart, 2006). This remained true even after variables such as socio-economic status were accounted for. What’s more, the type of language families used with their child was also important.

Families in the study seemed to use two types of language; the “business” talk of telling children what needed to get done (do this, come here, put that down) and the more positive, engaging, conversational talk of describing the world to their children. It was the families who used conversational talk with their children who talked more to their children….and the children in these families who had bigger vocabularies and higher IQ scores.

When I am working as a pediatric-speech language pathologist, then, I almost always start by teaching families how to talk to their kids. One of the first things I share with parents is how to use four specific types of “conversational” talking with their children: parallel talk, description, self-talk, and expansion.

Parallel talk occurs when a parent talks about what the child is doing (Eating soup. You’re eating soup!)
Description occurs when a parent describes an object to which the child is attending (Hot soup!)
Self-Talk occurs when a parent describes what the parent is doing as she does it. (Soup. Mama’s eating soup. Eat Soup), and
Expansion occurs when a parent takes what the child says and expands it by one or two words. (Child: Soup. Mom: Yummy soup!).

Simple? Yes. But research has shown that a child’s language can change for the better just by changing the language input they get from their parents. When parents are taught to use focused, simple language to describe what their child is doing and seeing, children make gains in their language skills (McLean and Cripe, 2000). This isn’t to say parents should talk in short sentences all the time, of course. Children need to hear their parents talking in longer, conversational sentences as well. It’s the balance between the short, focused language and the longer conversational sentences that seems to be the most effective.

And, as it turns out, some parents may do this intuitively. In 2005, Deb Roy, a cognitive scientist and director of MIT Media Lab’s Cognitive Machines Group, set his home up with cameras and microphones to record everything his son and his son’s caregivers said during the first two years of his son’s life. Although he expected to find that the caregivers’ language got steadily more complex as his son aged, he actually found something very different. When the caregivers talked to the baby, they didn’t necessarily use simple language and short sentences– at least not at first. But then–just as a new word was about to emerge in the toddler’s language–something changed. The caregiver’s language became more and more simple….until the word emerged in the child’s language, and then the caregivers slowly made their language more complex again. This pattern repeated itself across words and caregivers, even though the caregivers didn’t even know they were doing it. If this research stands up to time, it may show that parents who are really in tune with their babies and toddlers do a kind of dance with their child, where the child’s language influences the parents’ as much as the parents’ language influence the child’s.

It’s important to note that many children will also need additional strategies woven into their days as well: many parents talk a blue streak at their children only to find their children don’t talk back. This is by no means the fault of the parents– some children just need more help then others getting started talking. This blog touches on many of the other strategies we use to help children learn to talk, and a good early intervention professional will help parents sort through these strategies and figure out how and when to apply them. The first step along the way, though, is almost always to teach parents to use those four types of conversation speech consistently and carefully and lovingly around their child.

All of this to get at one small, yet somehow very big, idea: Talk to your baby, your toddler, your child. Talk about the things he sees, and the things he does, and the things that make him laugh. And as you do, know that you are giving him one of the most powerful gifts of all: the gift of language.

Other Resources
Is a Home Sleep Study Brisbane Better Than In-Clinic Testing?
Everything You Need to Know Before Getting a Sleep Study Adelaide