Eli is five years old, and our journey has been one filled with challenges, learning, advocating, and holding on to hope.

Our journey began with hearing loss. When we eventually got that sorted, I felt a sense of relief, thinking we had overcome our only hurdle. But at five years old, Eli was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), something I had never even heard of before.

I remember feeling confused. Suddenly, there was something new to learn, a diagnosis to understand, and a whole new set of worries about how this would affect Eli and his future. As a parent, you want to make everything easier for your child, but sometimes you find yourself navigating a world you never knew existed.

We began the process of finding the right support for Eli through the NDIS. We went through multiple providers before finally finding one that truly put Eli first. What made the difference was finding a team that didn’t try to take speech away from us, but instead put in the effort to research Childhood Apraxia of Speech and understand what Eli actually needed. Having people who were willing to learn, listen, and prioritize Eli’s meant so much to us.

We have now started ReST (Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment), and while we know this is a journey that takes time, we are beginning to see little moments that fill us with hope.

We are also incredibly fortunate to have the most supportive Prep teacher and teacher aide in Eli’s classroom. They consistently go above and beyond for him, putting things in place to support his speech and communication without us even having to ask. They take the time to think about what Eli needs and how they can help him, and that kind of understanding and support means more to us than words can express.

Knowing that Eli has people at school who genuinely care about him, believe in him, and make an effort to support his communication gives us so much comfort. It means we aren’t carrying the responsibility of advocating for him alone. Having educators who recognize his needs and proactively find ways to help him is something we are truly grateful for.

One of the most special changes has been seeing Eli start to stand up in class and speak about small things. Something as simple as describing what a chair can do might not seem like a big milestone to everyone, but to us, it’s huge. Seeing him make these attempts to share his thoughts and participate more in the classroom fills us with pride.

These are the moments we hold on to. They remind us that progress doesn’t always come in big leaps. Sometimes it comes in small steps, everyday conversations, and the courage to stand up and have a go. Having a supportive classroom environment where Eli is encouraged and given opportunities to communicate makes these moments even more special.

Our journey has taught me how important it is to keep advocating for your child, to keep asking questions, and to keep searching for people who are willing to understand their individual needs. Finding the right support hasn’t always been easy, but finding a provider who puts Eli first, alongside a school team that goes above and beyond for him, has made a real difference in our journey.

We know we still have a journey ahead of us. There are still things to learn, challenges to face, and new goals to work towards. But we are learning to celebrate the little things and recognize just how meaningful they can be.

If I could share one message with another parent who is navigating Childhood Apraxia of Speech, it would be this: you are not alone.

It can feel overwhelming when you receive a diagnosis you’ve never heard of. It can bring new worries, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next. You may find yourself having to advocate again and again to make sure your child gets the support they need.

Please know that it is okay not to have all the answers straight away. Keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep advocating for your child. Find the people who are willing to listen, understand, and put your child first. And when you find those people, hold on to them, because having the right support around your child can make such a difference.

Most importantly, celebrate the little victories. A new attempt to speak, sharing an idea in class, or standing up to describe something as ordinary as a chair can be an extraordinary moment when you understand the journey behind it.

This is Eli’s story so far. We are proud of him, proud of the steps he is taking, and hopeful for what lies ahead. We are grateful for the people who walk alongside us, believe in Eli, and help create opportunities for him to grow in confidence and find his voice.

We will continue to support him, encourage him, and celebrate every step, no matter how big or small.

By sharing our story, I hope another family who is feeling confused, worried, or alone might find comfort in knowing there are others walking a similar path. I hope they find the strength to keep advocating, the courage to keep going, and the right people who will stand beside them and their child.

Our journeys may look different, but we can give each other hope along the way.

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