Question about DS-22months...speech problem? *Another Update Pg5*

[HollyJoy]

Our oldest daughter was a late talker. My DH was worried that something was wrong, and our Ped and I kept telling him to relax. Now she (my DD) never shuts up! LOL Anyway, it is normal, and unless you notice signs of a hearing problem.. (like not responding when called) you probably shouldn't worry. If it would put your mind at ease to take him for a hearing test, by all means, do. A mother's instinct is usally good. As for speech, well, I doubt they could do anything for a child so young.

 

[cgcw]

When DS4 was little, he looked as if he had been in a wreck more times than not. He would crawl directly into a wall or misjudge the distance of things. He constantly had huge bruises on his face -- especially his head because it seemed like more times than not, he would be running into something. We knew he had repeated ear infections and constant fluid in his ears. At about 7 months, though, he was diagnosed with torticollis -- a shorted neck muscle. We didn't notice it until that age, but he always leaned to the right side. Because of the tilt to his head, he was always "off balance" so to speak. The fluid in his ears didn't help the situation either.

We went for months of therapy, wearing a neck brace to stretch the muscle and finally had tubes put into his ears. Low and behold, it was amazing the quick turn around he made -- not only from the ear infections/fluid, but also the torticollis. And, his speech started clearing up.

I agree with the others who said go with your instincts. Nothing is more important as you know your child best. I would find a doctor who was willing to work with me and my child, not disregard my concerns.

 

[LMC]

I haven't read all the posts so I am sure that some of my comments have been made already...I will just tell you my experience:
I had concerns about DS who was very clumsy and did not speak much even after having tubes placed at 15 months. He was my 1st child so I continued to listen to the dr when she said that it was nothing and he was lazy...well come to find out he has sensory integration dysfunction, needed extensive PT and OT and was diagnosed w/ a rare genetic syndrome last year (8 years after the pediatrician said there was nothing wrong with him!)
Not to say that your child has anything similar but God gave you motherly instincts for a reason. Contact your early intervention program to have an evaluation. Insist that it is done at pediatric facility (I went when the program first started and did not go to a pediatric facility and the therapists evaluating DS stated that they did not even know what they were looking for! Talk about frustrating!!) Anyway, if you still can't get any help, the next place would be the neurologist. Has your child met other major milestones? What age did he walk, does he run, climb, jump, etc?
All of the basic milestones that babies do are building blocks to their future. Each activity has a purpose: if they don't play with their fingers and toes they are missing out on sensory input, if they don't like to swing they are not getting the brain activity they need for movement, etc. So it is all important in the big picture no matter how small it seems right now.

 

[VALDAN]

My daughter didn't say much at all until she was 24 months. then the computer chip must have went off in her brain, because she never shut up after that! Yet my second daughter was talking at 13 months. Each child is different. But your're not wrong being concerned, I'd go back and talk to him again. I've seen alot of kids in speech therapy at 2,

 

[landmark]

I totally agree with the advice to contact an early intervention program such as the Special Education Co-op. My DS started daycare at almost three years (33 mos to be exact) I had mentioned to my ped that he wasn't talking much and was told not to worry either. Upon entering daycare I REALLY noticed that he wasn't talking near as well as the other children his age. Daycare mentioned speech therapy and the co-op came out to test him. They did a hearing test and some other testing to determine eligibility. DS qualified for speech and is still in speech. To make a long story short Austin just turned 6 on 9/9 and is in Kindergarten. When he started daycare he wasn't saying 5 words I don't think... now he won't stop. He's reading (has been for a year), does addition and subtraction and can make change. I'm very proud. We just had his IEP today in fact and we all remarked how far he has come. Austin also has the diagnosis of Autism. Though he's very high functioning... I'm soooo very glad that I got him in the early intervention when I did. It's made all the difference in his communication and speech is continuing to help him with social skills.

Follow your heart. Best Wishes.

 

[luckywife]

What wonderful stories about all of the progress these little angels have made. I will definitely be calling to find out more about Early Intervention. DS has had several ear infections in the past and fluid build up in both ears a few times as well.

DS started walking when he was about 13 months old. He runs sometimes but not often and doesn't do much climbing or anything else. A few months ago we noticed him always saying "HUH" when we would talk to him. I don't know if that's just a word he has picked up or if it's something he has learned to say when he doesn't understand or hear us the way he should.

I have to say that I feel much better about this situation now. I feel like there is actual hope to finding out if he needs further help with his speech. Thank you ALL so much for taking time to answer my questions and offer support.

 

[landmark]

Oh I wanted to add that when DS was about that age he was tripping alot as well. We noticed when he was barefoot that he was toeing in when he was walking. When standing still it wasn't so bad but when walking he was turning his feet in, one worse than the other. We asked the ped about it and she wasn't concerned. We were military at the time so I kept bugging her for a referral and fianally got it for Children't Mercy to see the orthoped. When they saw him they said it was a pretty common thing and that he would outgrow it by 7ish and if he didn't then he'd need surgery. They were right... he pretty much outgrew it by 4. But if he was wearing very bulky shoes at that time it would contribute to his tripping. Anyway wanted to let you know it's not always something bad but at least I got the peace of mind that there was nothing wrong.

 

[cheeringmom]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
2 of my kids went through early intervention for speech. If I remember correctly, you do not need a referal to get an evaluation. It's free, in your house (usually) and actually kind of fun (all done through play).

If your child qualifies for speech, that is also free and often done in your home (or your child's preschool/daycare if you work). Early intervention ends at 3 yrs old. After that you have to qualify through your school district.....which is much harder. If you are concerned, I would not wait.

Also...Early Intervention will refer your child for a hearing test. My children did great with these services. They quickly (6 months of therapy) caught up and are now ahead of the game verbally. Maybe they would have just been late bloomers but I'm glad I didn't take that chance...

Jess

Ditto on everything Gupsmom said.
My daughter has been in early Intervention due to slow speech, falling etc. I'm glad we had her evaluated by EI. The military docs were not much help until I started pushing. Try another doc and call your local school district for info on EI. Better safe than sorry. She ended up having low tone (thus the falls and speech difficluties) but is getting PT to help with that too! Loads of luck

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by HollyJoy
...... As for speech, well, I doubt they could do anything for a child so young.

There's so much a Speech/Language Pathologist *can* do with children that young and younger

That's why it's oh-so-very-important - that if you have concerns with a little one's speech development - sooner, rather than later is always preferred

luckywife, you've received some great advice, and I'm really glad that you are following up on your - as I like to say "things that make you go hmmmmmm"

Let us know!!

 

[luckywife]

The advice here has been GREAT! Had a few PM's that offered support and even a link to a great website. What I find amazing is that I was taken seriously by ALL of you and my own doctor couldn't even do that for me. I will be making calls later this morning to find out about EI and can't wait to get the process started so DS can get some help with his speech. It's easy to see that he WANTS to talk and tell us things but he is just struggling so much right now. I will keep you all updated on how he's doing.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[shelbyjosh]

I will ditto what mbb said. Speech pathologists work on babies! Our SP works with babies that have swallowing disorders. My DS6 also had a tight phrenulum (skin that attaches tongue to lower jaw) and his ped clipped it at about 2 weeks of age. His SP still says it is a little tight. He just went yesterday and was tested for his progress. We are at a plateau right now. She seems to think that it is a developmental/maturity issue. We may be taking a break from speech for a few months so he can catch up! He will be so happy if that is the case. Early intervention is key. The longer you wait, the harder it is later on.

 

[John VN]

luckywife

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER.

Take your little one to EIP to be evaluated.

This grandpa, called ba ba by my little 3+ yo, felt there was a problem 2 years ago and NOTHING was ever done.

Turns out that I was right and he is now paying for the lack of therapy and will be doing so for a long time.

Please listen to the MOTHERS who have gone through it and ACT NOW.

Yes, a tight phrenulum could be a cause but see the specialists, they know and will advise.

Good Luck from this grandpa still waiting to here those words or something close to them.

John

Just had to update that while I was writing this I was awaiting word about the birth of our 4th DGS.

Well, I just got the call that Jacob arrived at 8:32AM, 8.2 pounds and 20 inches long and he is already feeding and he is only minutes from WDW right now.

 

[luckywife]

I just got off the phone with First Steps. They are sending someone to our home tomorrow to start the paperwork so DS can have an evaluation for his speech problem. I am a little nervous about the whole process (not sure why) but I am thrilled that we are taking a step in the right direction.

Thanks to EVERYONE for the help and advice. It has made this so much easier hearing from others who have experienced the same things with their children. I will give an update tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Gupsmom]

I am a little nervous about the whole process (not sure why) but I am thrilled that we are taking a step in the right direction.

It is a bit overwhelming. I remember breaking down in tears after the evaluator left. I was worn out. It's not easy to hear that your child is delayed..even in a "minor" way. Just keep that in mind and be prepared for it. It really isn't the end of the world. Both of my children went from delayed to advanced in well under a year.

No matter what, you ar edoing the right thing. Why chance it? The worst case senerio here is you are going to get the services your child needs. The best case is everything is normal and you'll have peace of mind.

Jess

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Originally posted by John VN
luckywife


Just had to update that while I was writing this I was awaiting word about the birth of our 4th DGS.

Well, I just got the call that Jacob arrived at 8:32AM, 8.2 pounds and 20 inches long and he is already feeding and he is only minutes from WDW right now.

Congradulations! Best wishes to the family

 

[luckywife]

I am so sorry. I didn't see what you added to your message. CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of your new grandson. How exciting. Best wishes to you and your family!!!!!!!

 

[RadioNate]

I'm glad you called for an eval. That's what I did when my DS was about 15 months and even babbling.

He was borderline so we decided on a plan and a re-eval at 21 months. He still wasn't talking but everything else was on track.

Land story short is my DS didn't utter a word until he was over 2 years old. Not even Mama or Dada - nothing.

Not at 3.5 I can't get him to stop talking!!!!!!

What really helped us (and was suggested my EI) was a Parents Day Out program. I was a SAHM and all he saw was me, the person who met his needs w/out him having to talk.

Once he started PDO he flourished and we wondered why we ever thought something was wrong.

Good luck to you.

 

[Sabeking]

Hi, I just read your post and had some thoughts about it but I'm sure you will get some answers after the eval. I am a Speech Therapist so if you just want to ask a question please post!

Sabeking

 

[luckywife]

Sabeking Thanks! The only question right now that I think I have is, what can I expect during DS's evaluation?

 

[Sabeking]

I'm getting ready to run out but I will tell you a couple of quick things. They will probably evaluate his receptive(understanding ) and expressive(speaking) abilities through looking at pictures and responding, interaction with you and some receptive language games. Let me ask you a few questions and I will respond when I return. Does his articulation of words seem to be a problem alone or does this include him not comprehending what you are saying? Can he respond to directions and understand without speaking? Ex. Go get the cup? Also, did he have lots of ear infections as a baby? I would never try to diagnose a child over the computer but I can give some insights into certain speech problems.