00:00In the bush with her family by her side, Jade Scown feels safe.
00:11She can be herself.
00:14Jade lives with a rare speech condition known as childhood apraxia of speech or CAS.
00:27It impacts her communication, so to be able to express herself, to be able to explain how she's feeling.
00:36For years, Jade was bullied.
00:39It was soul breaking just to see her just curl up in herself.
00:46She was always angry.
00:48She and her family would come here for relief.
00:51She didn't have to talk to anyone if she didn't have to.
00:54There was no expectations on her.
00:59Chrissie first noticed Jade's speech delay when she was a toddler.
01:04Finding the right therapy in their regional town was not easy.
01:08I want more hunting.
01:10Over 11 years, they tried multiple therapists with little progress, until they found Olga Comedina, who specialises in treating apraxia.
01:21An itchy bear.
01:22An itchy bear, good job.
01:23According to the recently released Australian Early Development Census, one in four children now start school with a speech delay.
01:30Early communication development is influenced by biological, social and environmental factors.
01:37Medical factors that can affect language development include hearing issues, neurological conditions and intellectual disability.
01:45A child's language can also be affected by how much interaction they have with adults, screen time, exposure to varied language and early childhood education.
01:55Bear.
01:56Australia currently has a shortage of speech pathologists.
02:01In some areas, it can take up to two years to get an appointment.
02:05All too often, children and families are not getting the support that they need.
02:11Bleed.
02:12Bleed.
02:13If not addressed, speech and language difficulties can affect a child's learning, social relationships and mental health.
02:20Speech Pathology Australia says a national approach is needed to address speech delays early.
02:26It doesn't need to be provided one-on-one.
02:29Part of what speech pathologists do is work with early educators and teachers to support their work in their classroom.
02:36Good morning.
02:38That's what's happening at Morwell Park Primary in regional Victoria.
02:42Get the bag.
02:43Riley Freestone started kinder with delayed speech.
02:47Just come out all gibberish and he'd get frustrated.
02:49Why does this one go in the wardrobe?
02:51Because it's not food.
02:53After taking part in speech therapy at school, his parents say things improved.
02:58Honey.
02:59He loves educating.
03:00He loves learning.
03:01Together.
03:02It's...
03:03The approach here at Morwell Park Primary is all about early intervention.
03:06It's about identifying children who have language or speech delay before it affects their schooling
03:11and giving them the help they need to get back on track.
03:14Which one are you going to choose?
03:16Two speech pathologists oversee the program.
03:19School staff deliver it.
03:21That looks good.
03:22The program is proving successful.
03:24We see a reduction in negative student behaviours as a result of students being able to verbalise their needs.
03:31The school's NAPLAN scores are improving too.
03:35Currently, our numeracy results put us above state.
03:38And for an area such as Morwell, where a lot of our families have real disadvantage, that's huge.
03:45It's huge.
03:46Hi, Anna.
03:47Hi, everyone.
03:48Patty.
03:49Katie.
03:50Jade can now see a future for herself.
03:54She wants to train guide dogs.
03:56She's still nervous about speaking, but bravely chose to talk to the ABC because she wants her voice heard.
04:04If there's another young person who feels a bit like you, what do you want to say to them?
04:09Probably get help.
04:11And will everything be okay?
04:13Yeah.
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