This is NOT a strategy for parents who are seeking a miracle shortcut.
Instead, this is for parents who genuinely want to help their child talk.
In her speech therapy practice, Carissa regularly gets nonverbal toddlers to engage and make visible progress in their first session using this strategy — but you'll first need to spend the time to learn these tools and how to use them.
If this is you, start by taking the time to read every word on this page so you can understand what's involved...
You've tried everything. Flash cards with pictures of everyday objects. Speech therapy apps promising "100 first words." YouTube videos where animated characters repeat the same sounds over and over.
And your toddler? Still struggling to communicate.
It's NOT your fault.
Did you know? 1 in 3 toddlers experience speech delays, and often, the advice given—"just wait and see"—is the WORST thing you can do.
But here's the truth that's even harder to hear: all those word-focused tools you've been using? They're trying to solve the wrong problem entirely.
Think about it...
Have you ever tried learning a foreign language you had absolutely no interest in? One that seemed completely irrelevant to your life? How motivated were you? How quickly did you forget everything?
That's exactly how your speech-delayed toddler feels when we focus on words before we've given them a REASON to communicate.
What if I told you that as a Speech Therapist who's worked with hundreds of children, I know that focusing on words first is like trying to build a house starting with the roof.
It doesn't matter how many fancy roof tiles you have if there's no foundation.
And yet parents everywhere are being told to:
All while ignoring the critical foundation that MUST come first.
As both a Speech Therapist AND the parent of a child diagnosed with autism, I know the question parents should be asking:
Why would your child WANT to communicate in the first place?
Answer this question correctly, and everything changes. Ignore it, and you'll keep spinning your wheels while precious developmental time slips away.
Hi, I'm Carissa.
Before I tell you about my revolutionary approach to helping speech-delayed toddlers, you should know something important about me.
I see this problem from both sides of the desk.
As a Speech Therapist, I've helped hundreds of families navigate the confusing, often heartbreaking journey of speech delays. I've seen what works—and what doesn't.
But my understanding goes deeper than professional training.
My own son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and mild intellectual disability. I've sat where you're sitting now. I've felt the same fears. The same frustrations. The same desperate hope for answers.
And that unique perspective—both professional and deeply personal—led me to discover an approach that contradicts almost everything parents are typically told about helping speech-delayed children.
Through years of working with families, I've identified something alarming: the massive gap between when parents first notice speech concerns and when effective help begins.
Every week, parents tell me with tears in their eyes: "I wish I hadn't waited."
Your instincts are right. Something isn't developing as it should. And despite what well-meaning relatives or even some professionals might tell you, waiting rarely works.
But what you do instead matters enormously.
Think about how a toddler learns to walk.
Do you sit them down with flash cards of feet and shoes?
Do you repeatedly demonstrate walking while saying "Walk! Walk! Walk!"?
Do you test them daily on their walking skills, becoming frustrated when they fail?
Of course not. That would be absurd!
You created opportunities. You encouraged. You celebrated tiny progress. Most importantly, you understood something crucial: your baby had to WANT to walk before they'd put in the tremendous effort required to master it.
The same principle applies to speech—but almost everyone misses it.
When we focus exclusively on getting speech-delayed toddlers to say words, we're ignoring the foundation of all communication: desire.
Here's what most parents don't realise: your child isn't avoiding speech because they can't form the sounds (though that might be part of it).
They're not communicating because:
And pushing harder on words alone only makes this worse.
Think about a child's journey to walking...
First, they watch others with fascination. They reach for things just beyond their grasp. They become frustrated with immobility. In other words, they develop a burning DESIRE to move independently.
Then—and only then—do they put in the incredible effort to stand, balance, fall, and try again — in some cases, hundreds of times.
Speech development follows the exact same pattern.
If your child doesn't have a compelling reason to communicate, all the word drills in the world won't help. It would be like trying to teach swimming to someone who's terrified of water.
The foundation must come first.
That's why the HelpMeTalk! Parents Course flips the 'word first' approach upside down. We focus on creating the DESIRE to communicate before we ever worry about the mechanics of speech.
We help you:
When a child genuinely WANTS to communicate, something extraordinary happens: they practice constantly, even when no one's prompting them.
Just like a toddler pulling themselves up on furniture over and over again because they're driven to walk, a child with communication desire will make hundreds of attempts—each one strengthening their abilities.
Your role shifts from constant prompting to supporting their natural drive.
And that changes everything.
The HelpMeTalk! Parents Course doesn't promise "100 First Words" or quick-fix solutions that don't last.
Instead, it offers something far more valuable: the tools to ignite your child's natural desire to communicate.
Think of it this way...
You could force a child to memorise swimming strokes on dry land. They might even pass a "swimming test" by demonstrating the motions while lying on the floor.
But put them in water? They'll sink immediately.
That's what happens when we focus solely on getting children to repeat words without building the understanding and motivation that makes those words meaningful.
Our approach is different. We help you create an environment where your child discovers the power and joy of communication on their own terms. Where they WANT to keep trying—even when it's difficult.
The result? Not just words, but genuine communication that continues developing.
Imagine building a house. You wouldn't start with the roof and work backwards. You'd lay a solid foundation first.
The same applies to communication. Our course provides the complete blueprint, from foundation to finish:
Discover how to create genuine desire for communication by understanding what drives YOUR unique child. Learn to meet them where they are, not where traditional methods expect them to be.
"If your child doesn't enjoy spending time with someone, they won't do it. That's why you must focus on the WANT and NOT the WORDS."
Uncover the critical difference between teaching understanding versus merely training memorised responses. Learn to spot when your child is using clever coping strategies (like pattern matching) rather than true comprehension.
"Unless your goal is for your child to talk only when someone makes them, we don't want to do training. We want to do teaching."
Master the art of breaking down communication into crystal-clear steps that leave no room for confusion. Learn how assumptions and "invisible knowledge" create barriers between you and your child—and how to eliminate them.
"We're direct—we're going to get to the point as quickly as possible. Explicit is making sure we say exactly what we want that person to know and understand or do. Exactly."
Discover why traditional discipline approaches backfire with speech-delayed children and how to separate behaviour from communication needs. Learn why "disrespect" is never the real issue.
"Your child is not being disrespectful to you when they don't follow instructions. All behaviour is communication."
Understand the true progression of communication skills from "emerging" to "generalised," so you can track genuine progress and celebrate meaningful milestones. Stop mistaking memorisation for mastery.
"The skill level is emerging. So by that we mean, we've started to see that the person understands the idea of what we're doing and why we're doing it."
Every parent of a speech-delayed child knows these heartbreaking moments:
The weight of these daily struggles is exhausting. The feeling that you should be doing more—but what?—can be overwhelming.
What if your child started seeking you out to communicate, rather than avoiding it?
What if they began experimenting with sounds and gestures on their own, driven by their own curiosity?
What if the pressure disappeared from your interactions, replaced by genuine connection?
What if you became fluent in your child's unique communication style while helping them expand it naturally?
Parents who follow this approach report a profound shift. Not just in their child's communication abilities, but in their entire relationship.
The frustration that once dominated daily life fades. The connection that seemed so elusive grows stronger. And communication—in whatever form works best for your child—can begin to flow.
This isn't just about words. It's about building a bridge between your world and theirs.
Most approaches focus exclusively on the end goal: getting your child to say words. They use:
It's like teaching a child the mechanics of riding a bicycle without ever letting them experience the joy of movement or the freedom of exploring their neighbourhood.
What makes the HelpMeTalk! approach revolutionary is our focus on the invisible foundations of communication that most methods completely overlook.
I'll show you:
This isn't just another "speech programme." It's a complete redirection of parent focus on how communication develops—and how you can support that natural process instead of forcing an artificial one.
By understanding the FULL picture of communication development—not just the visible "word" part—you'll be able to help your child in ways that 'word first' approaches simply can't match.
Babies learning to walk don't transform from crawler to walker overnight. It's a process—with lots of falls along the way.
Learning to support your child's communication is similar. That's why the HelpMeTalk! Parents Course isn't just a one-and-done video. It's a complete system designed to support you through the entire journey:
Each module breaks down complex speech therapy concepts into simple, actionable strategies you can implement immediately. No jargon, no complicated techniques—just clear guidance from someone who's been in your shoes.
Unlike generic videos, these are filled with real-world examples and specific phrases to use with your speech-delayed child today.
Communication development doesn't follow a straight line. Questions arise. Challenges emerge. That's why your enrolment includes access to regular live streams where you can:
"The live streams enable all parents to come together, get answers to questions, and further learn more about how to best provide help to their child."
These practical tools help you:
Communication development doesn't end after a few weeks or months. As your child progresses, different challenges arise. That's why you'll have ongoing access to:
This isn't a quick fix—it's a comprehensive system for transforming how you support your child's communication journey, now and in the future.
Every week in my practice, parents sit across from me with the same haunting regret in their eyes:
"I wish I hadn't waited."
They remember that first gut feeling—the worry that grew each time they compared their child's speech to their peers. They remember the well-meaning friends and family who said "don't worry, they'll catch up."
And now they're facing the harsh reality: that gap has only widened.
What many parents don't realise is that communication skills build upon each other. Each stage forms the foundation for the next.
When we miss early opportunities to build the right foundation, we're not just delaying progress—we're potentially making future development much more difficult.
Right now, you're standing at a fork in the road:
Path One: Continue with traditional word-focused approaches, hoping something eventually clicks. Watch as frustration builds, confidence diminishes, and precious developmental time slips away.
Path Two: Shift your focus to what actually drives communication development. Build the foundation that makes words meaningful. Watch as your child discovers the joy and power of connecting with others.
The choice is yours. But remember—tomorrow's regrets are built on today's hesitation.
Your child's brain is remarkably adaptable right now. But this window of enhanced neuroplasticity won't stay open forever.
The earlier we build the right foundation, the stronger your child's communication future will be.
I'm so confident in the effectiveness of this approach that I want to remove all the risk from your decision.
Enrol in the HelpMeTalk! Parents Course today, go through the course and join us on our live streams.
If the course simply isn't what you expected, or you're not satisfied for any reason—just let us know. We'll refund your investment in full. No complicated forms. No intrusive questions. (Though we would appreciate optional feedback on why you thought it wasn't for you.)
The HelpMeTalk! Parents Course provides evidence-based strategies that Speech Language Pathologists recommend for supporting communication development in children 12-48 months old.
These aren't experimental techniques or unproven theories. They're the same approaches I use in my clinical practice every day—just translated into simple, parent-friendly language and actionable steps.
Combined with our live streams and ongoing support, we're confident you'll find exceptional value that exceeds anything else available for parents of speech-delayed children.
Your child deserves the best support you can provide. And you deserve to make this decision with complete confidence.
That's exactly what this guarantee provides.
Your child is working harder than anyone realises to make sense of a world that doesn't speak their language.
You've tried the 'word first' approaches. You've waited for things to improve on their own. You've worried, researched, and hoped for a breakthrough.
Now it's time for something different. Something that addresses the real foundations of communication—not just the words.
Think about how your child learned to walk. They didn't need flash cards or drills—they needed desire, opportunity, and your patient support.
Isn't it time we approached communication the same way?
I created this course because I stood exactly where you're standing now. Confused. Worried. Desperate for real answers.
The approach I'm sharing transformed my own child's communication journey—and has since helped hundreds of other children discover the joy of connecting with others.
Your child is waiting for the right support. Let's give it to them—together.
Parenting a speech-delayed child can feel incredibly isolating.
While other parents chat about their toddlers' latest phrases, you're silently worrying about whether your child will ever speak clearly. While others take communication for granted, you're researching therapies, techniques, and approaches—often getting conflicting advice.
It's exhausting. And lonely.
When you join the HelpMeTalk! Parents Course, you're not just getting information—you're joining a community of parents who truly understand your journey.
Parents who know exactly how it feels when:
As someone who's navigated this journey both professionally and personally, I bridge the gap between clinical expertise and real-world parenting.
I won't offer theoretical advice that falls apart in the chaos of daily life. Every strategy in this course has been battle-tested—not just with clients, but with my own child.
Your child is already communicating—just not in the ways most people recognise or value.
They're waiting for someone to meet them where they are. To build a bridge between their world and ours. To make communication meaningful, not mechanical.
With the right approach, that bridge-building can begin today.
Let's start this journey together!
Please take care entering your information and especially your email address as this is where your course access details will be sent.
Right now, you get everything for a one-time enrolment fee of $69 Australian Dollars.
(Approx. $47 USD | £35 GBP | €42 EUR — charged in Australian Dollars)
This gives you lifetime access to all current and future course content, as well as lifetime access to all previous and future live streams.
This represents tremendous value for money — it’s about the equivalent of just 15-minutes with a Speech Language Pathologist.
You can enrol in the course by completing the cart checkout process below, securely powered by our payment processing partners, Thrivecart and Stripe.
Depending on where you are in the world, you may see multiple payment options, including the ability to pay in instalments. All instalment plans are agreed with the chosen provider of the plan, and not this website, nor our payment processing partners.
Professional Note: This course bridges the gap between first concerns and professional speech therapy. While it provides valuable techniques and strategies, it is not a replacement for speech therapy services where needed. Results vary for each child, and the course includes guidance on when to seek professional services.
Questions?
Join me on our next live stream, where I answer parents' questions about helping their children's speech development. Enrol now to get immediate access.
