14/03/2026
*Beyond the Speech Delay: Temwani’s Continuing Journey* (Long Post)
When Temwani finally started speaking at age 6, I thought the hardest part of our journey was over. For a long time, speech had been our biggest hurdle, so when he began communicating well, I felt such a deep sense of relief. I believed we had crossed the biggest obstacle and that life might now start to look a little more “normal.”
But I’ve since learned that speech delay can sometimes come with other challenges that only become clearer as children grow older, especially after age 5 when academic and developmental expectations increase.
In Temwani’s case, we began noticing difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, as well as comprehension and understanding academic work expected for his age and grade. Some everyday tasks that many children manage more easily can still be challenging for him—things like handwriting, coordinating movements, getting dressed efficiently, eating neatly, using utensils properly, and following multi-step instructions.
We recently had him assessed through a Cambridge child academic development assessment, and the results showed that his reading level is currently similar to that of a 3-year-old, while he is now 7. That gap can feel overwhelming when you think about how much school relies on reading and comprehension.
So we are back to physiotherapy to help strengthen his coordination, handwriting, and daily living skills, alongside extra academic support to help him build his reading and understanding step by step.
There are moments when I worry about the future, but when I pause and look back, I remember a time when we were simply praying for him to communicate. Seeing him express himself today is something I never take for granted.
For now, we keep moving forward one step at a time, holding on to hope and reminding ourselves that just as the speech breakthrough came, growth in these other areas will come too. This too shall pass.
Has anyone else experienced new developmental challenges after speech delay? I would really value hearing your experiences and what has helped your child.
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