3 Real Questions Parents keep asking us in the DMs about Speech, Puberty & Social Struggles

Every day, parents write in with quiet questions, the kind they don’t always bring up at school or in clinics. These questions often come late at night, typed out in long paragraphs or short bursts of worry.

We know what that feels like. When you're watching your child grow and something feels a little off, you start wondering if you’re doing enough, if you’re missing something, or if you should have asked sooner.

Here are 3 questions we received from parents recently and how one of our therapists responded, honestly and simply.

A mother asked anonymously on Facebook:

Question: Has anyone had a tongue tie release performed on their toddler? If so, did you notice an improvement in speech clarity afterward? Also, how long does the healing process typically take?

Answer: Some toddlers do show clearer speech after the release, even if the tongue tie was restricting movement significantly, but not always. Speech clarity depends on more than the tongue alone, how a child processes sounds, uses breath, and coordinates movements all come into play.

The release by itself won’t teach those new patterns. That’s where speech therapy steps in, helping the child relearn how to use their tongue in speech. Without that support, changes may be limited.

Healing usually takes about one to two weeks. During this time, your child may need simple exercises to keep the tongue mobile and prevent the tissue from reattaching.

Before you decide on the procedure, it’s worth speaking with both a paediatric ENT and a speech-language therapist to understand what your child needs now and what they may need after.

Another mother shared:

Question: Hi everyone, what precautions should we take before a girl with autism and epilepsy reaches puberty? Please share what helped your child.

Answer: Puberty is already confusing for most young people. For girls with autism and epilepsy, it can bring a deeper layer of discomfort and unpredictability. But it doesn’t have to feel unmanageable.

Start early. Use simple language. Explain changes in the body in a way that matches her learning style. You could use visuals, picture books, or even create a short social story. Repeating the information often helps it sink in gradually.

Support her to practise routines like changing clothes, cleaning up, or using period products. Let her try them before they’re needed so she has time to get used to them without pressure.

For epilepsy, it’s helpful to speak with your neurologist about whether hormones might affect seizure frequency. Some girls need changes in medication. Others benefit from tracking patterns before and after their cycle begins.

The goal is to help her feel prepared, not overwhelmed, and to equip her with the words or signals she can use to ask for help when needed.

Another parent asked:

Question: How often do you take your special kids out? Does social interaction encourage speech? Can isolating them impact their social life?

Answer: Children learn how to speak and connect by being around people, even in small doses. A quick ‘hello’ at the void deck, a walk through the supermarket, sitting beside another child at the playground, these moments matter.

Social interaction can indeed help build speech but can also attention, flexibility, and confidence. For some children, being out in the world gives them more chances to practise what they’ve learned. For others, it helps them understand how the world works, even if they aren’t speaking yet.

If your child avoids outings, start with low-pressure settings. Try quiet times of day, familiar places, or short visits with someone they trust. Let them take the lead. You don’t need big plans but just a rhythm that feels safe.

Isolating them too much, especially if it goes on for months, can make it harder for them to reconnect later. You can always build up slowly.

Dear Readers,

If you’ve had similar questions on your mind, then do know that you're not the only one. Every child is different and what works for one may not work for another. But asking is a good place to start.

You can read more about how we support communication, social connection, and everyday learning at www.totalcommunication.com.sg

You can also browse real-life topics like these on our blog: BLOG | Total Communication

If you want to get in touch with our therapist, you can connect with us by filling out this form: www.totalcommunication.com.sg/contact

We're always here to listen.

- Team Total Communication