speach therapy for a 26 month old..

[fortheluvofpooh]

the little girl I BABYSIT is being referred to a speach therapist, can you tell us what to expect? I am wondering what is the best way to help her and her mom. She is the sweetest little girl, stubborn as all get out, but Oh so adorable. How do they evaluate her? She does say some words, you have to listen though. She says No, Mama, Dada, even the other week she was crying and said "my hep me" which sounded to me like My Help Me, My is her aunt Mindy. But again you have to listen. and if you ask her to say something she will scowl at you and run away. I think it is adorable, never thought it was an issue.I feel terrible for not picking up on it. I have had her since she was 6 wks old.

 

[kimnvbva]

My BFF is a speech pathologist. She has always told me that they evaluate kids at very early ages. I babysit a 13 month old and she is already watching him. Anyhoo, they usually evaluate kids through play. The kids will get comfortable with them and start to talk or try to. Once they get use to the pathologist they will do tests and figure out if they need additional therapy. You also have to remember that kids develop at different stages and ages. Some kids are just late talkers. Don't stress out about it. At least the parents are taking the right step.

 

[Akmayeli]

My started started seeing a speech pathologist when he was 20 months and continued to see her unitl his 3rd birthday. She would come to our house and basically "play" with him for an hour. But she would use things that would get him to talk. She would look at books with him and sing songs. It was a wonderful expereince for us and helped out trememndously. He is now 4 a still a little behind but not that bad. He started out late because his ears were staying full of fluid, therefore he couldn't hear very well. It turned out he needed tubes.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Don't feel bad. Sounds like this little person gets lots of love from you. A few things you can do is to TALK to her all the time. Use clear speach and correct grammer. Keep up a conversation all the time. "It's time for our lunch, lets set the table". Include her in the coversation as much as possible, giving her time to answer." Do you think we should have apples or banannas for lunch?" Use simple words but then expand on your statements then return to simple words and encourage her to take part.( We are going in the car. We are going in the car to the grocery store and we are going to get some milk. We are ready to go in the car) Encourge her to use the word car and then PRAISE any effort.

Read to her as much as you can. Read simple board books that encourage picture naming as well as smooth reading story books.

Give her words for everything. Her cup, blanket ,juice etc. Try to make her use words instead of pointing whinning etc.

Speach therapy wil be fun games for her. They may have some additional things you can work on as well.

 

[lucigo]

Go to youtube and search "speech therapy" There will be lots of examples of what ST will be like. I even have some of my son on there

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I knew I could count on the Dis for help. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Macduffy]

I started my DS in speech around 26 months! He went for 1 hr ever second week. We picked certain words (target words) to work on. They were easy ones that could be used in al ot of different areas (more, help,etc.) and only contained sounds that were suggested for her age (ie. no TR of SP words)
Give him/her time to repeat the words when you are trying to get her to say it "would you like MORE apples?"...................... if she starts to make the mmmmmm sound reward her with the apple or applause. Say words slowly and emphasis your mouth so she can see the movements you make.
Turns out my son had excess fluid in his ears and needed tubes. Make sure her parents have her hearing checked first - it would have really saved us alot of fear and angst if this was done first!
It might require more patience on your part but when she starts talking your heart will MELT!

 

[Longsx3]

My DD started seeing a private SP about 29 months, it was in a hospital the the SP office was very small with way too much stuff to Distract a toddler but after a few sessions, she continued to see her until we moved when she was almost 4. At 3 DD DD also went to the local Elementary school twice a week, she worked in 3 person group.

When we moved DD went tot a Catholic preschool in the morning so there was no Speech services, then in the afternoon she would ride a school bus to the Public Special Ed school where she was in another preschool class and received Speech services. This was a great experience for DD and they loved DD because although she she had speech issues she read at about 50 months so she was a great model for other students there. Her last year for services was Kindergarten...believe me there is no sign she ever had any speech issues!


I also want to mention my DD use to get extremely frustrated when she was little, her first Dance Class was when she was 3...in between Ballet and Tap they would sing a song ...she got hysterical because she knew she did not sound right and ran out the door!

 

[Leajess99]

My youngest DD started Speech therapy through Early Intervention at 20 months and continued with EIP until 3 at which time she was transferred to the public school preschool program. She was diagnosed with Apraxia and worked very hard to get where she is today even though she still has some noticeable speech issues. Her ST would play with her and have her color or paint a picture and they help her with the sound that letter would make. My dd had a blast and always loved her ST's special toys.

 

[billwendy]

Hi

So sweet of you to want to help your little friend. I am an Occupational therapist, but work with many speech therapists at our childrens hospital.

The speech therapist will ask the mom a LOT of questions. At that age, they have some testing that takes into account the parent's responses - they will ask things like how many real words does her child have, how do they indicate their wants/needs(pull you to things, cry, point at things etc), do they understand simple requests such as "go get your shoes" or how do they respond when told "no". They should take a history of when the child started making noises, babbling etc. They will do little play things with the child such as put the blocks in the box, feed the baby, and talk to them in ways that they will have to talk back to them. They should use standardized testing such as the preschool language scale to be able to tell if your little friend is a bit behind for their age compared to same age peers.

We like to use a total approach to commuication with little ones. We use signs, pictures and voices!!! Its amazing how using signs/pictures can just lessen the demand and frustration on the child so they can communicate, then the speech will come - please make sure they give them a good home program even if therapy isnt recommended! Keep talking to her all the time, and even getting her to sing with you would be great!! Make sure you give her time enough to talk back to you too - have fun with her!

Best wishes, and dont let them feel nervous!! Therapists are there to help people and we love helping people!!

 

[stacy6552]

Go to the county. Our son received free therapy from the age of 2 on through the school system.

 

[DisneyNic]

Op, thank you for posting this. We were just told that a little boy who attends our daycareis going to be having a speech therapist come visit him. We were all really shocked and didn't know what to do because he is only 15 months. The mom is a little nervous about it also as she wasn't expecting it. She had taken him to his pediatrician for a routine checkup and he told her he was referring her to a speech therapist. The little boy does talk, not much but he does. Mom, dada, uh-uh, cup, bye. What they said is concerning them the most is that he won't say "No", he will say uh-uh, but he won't say no. It's nice to hear advice from other people or even just to hear other people who have been through it.

 

[turkeymama]

Both of my kids have been in ST for awhile, but for different issues.

My son's previous therapist would dip a lollipop in the pixie stick sugar and he had to suck it off. It was difficult for him at first but it helped strengthen some muscles. Another thing he had to do was blow on a recorder 10 times each session, and she also had him suck Jello or pudding from a straw. He was around 2 1/2 when he did these exercises.

There are different types of speech delays so there are all kinds of things a speech therapist could do during therapy. I learned to always expect the unexpected, but the kids have always loved every minute of it.

 

[CEC's Mom]

My daughter has been in speech therapy for almost a year now. The one thing her therapist recommends is not to let her use a sippy cup. Use a regular cup, or preferably, a cup with a straw. Blowing bubbles is also another fun thing to do to help strengthen the muscles around the mouth.