Speech Pathologist for my 17 month old?

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks again to everyone. I will be calling in the morning to find out where to go from here with our insurance and setting up an evaluation.

We have noticed that DS has started getting very frustrated lately and screeching or throwing fits and I honestly think it is because he can't communicate his wants/needs. He jabbers all the time and acts like we should be able to understand him. He also will do things like point to his shirt with Lightning McQueen on it and run to the TV to communicate that he wants to watch CARS. He brings us his sippy cup and then runs to the fridge if he wants more "joos".

I'll keep everyone posted on what we find out!

 

[2cutekidz]

We are going through the same situation right now with DS. He is 2 1/2 though. He was also a late walker. We went through Early Intervention through the state. I filled out a referral online and was emailed back with the location for us, and told they would be getting back to me within a week. 2 weeks went by and I hadn't heard anything so I went up to the school just to make an appointment. I met with the SP and she did an evaluation on the spot! DS tested very high in his receptive (understanding/following directions) but low in his language. We just last tuesday started individual "class" time with the SP, and are on a waiting list to get him into the preschool program there. The SP thinks getting him into a a preschool class with some talkers will help him alot!! Right now he has 2 half hour sessions a week. He loved his first week and didn't want to leave!

 

[Nanu57v]

We were in the same boat with DD. She wasn't saying words so I did two things: I called the state early intervention and scheduled an assessment ( several weeks out) and ordered these My Baby Can Talk signing videos.

DD loved to watch the videos, and she started talking and signing at the same time. Like she would say "b, b" and do the sign for diaper. (She thought diapers were butts). On Christmas she started doing this sign and I couldn't figure it out...it was HELP! She wanted her gifts opened. By the time we had the assessment, DD was on track, and now she's way ahead of track.

 

[pooh4evr]

I haven't read all the posts yet so sorry if this has been said- your last post sounds perfectly normal to me my youngest DD is 22 mos and in the las few weeks has really been starting to say things we can understand she always jabbered and still does alot but now we are getting words and some phrases - my oldest was about the same age when she started "talking" middle was speaking sentances at 1 (she walked at 9 mos- reading at 3) so if it was me I would not worry so much about it - I have a niece who doesn't speak at all she just turned 2 a month ago - learned signing at daycare and now won't do anything else that I might worry about-- I say give it time don't pressure him- he may feel more frustruated and that could make things worse. Wait a few more months some kids will have a swith the goes on suddenly on week and their on their way! Good Luck

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't read all the posts yet so sorry if this has been said- your last post sounds perfectly normal to me my youngest DD is 22 mos and in the las few weeks has really been starting to say things we can understand she always jabbered and still does alot but now we are getting words and some phrases - my oldest was about the same age when she started "talking" middle was speaking sentances at 1 (she walked at 9 mos- reading at 3) so if it was me I would not worry so much about it - I have a niece who doesn't speak at all she just turned 2 a month ago - learned signing at daycare and now won't do anything else that I might worry about-- I say give it time don't pressure him- he may feel more frustruated and that could make things worse. Wait a few more months some kids will have a swith the goes on suddenly on week and their on their way! Good Luck

I can't disagree more. Having a child evaluated is easy, fun, and free, and if the child qualifies, ST will not make the child more frustrated! The OP's child is frustrated right now, and every child I've known who has had ST LOVED it. I don't know of anyone who regrets getting these services for their child, but know of many who regret waiting it out. Yes, sometimes the child catches up, but not always. Why take that chance?

 

[luvmy3]

OP, don't wait have him evaluated. My older ds sounded very much like yours and we used the Early intervention program when he was about 2 and it worked wonders for him. We had weekly visits at home with the speech pathologist for about a year. By the time he was 3 he was on par with where he should be. Now he's 8 and never stops talking
I say don't wait because as his mom you know whats best and you know if something just isn't right. My younger ds (almost 5) is having speech issues. We keep hearing that its normal and he will grow out of it. Unfortunately I know at least 3 other kids that were always told the same thing and now are labled with a speech impedement. It also effects how the read and learn to read. We are taking the private route, we want it fixed before its too late and becomes a bigger problem.
Go with your instinct

 

[summerrluvv]

I can't disagree more. Having a child evaluated is easy, fun, and free, and if the child qualifies, ST will not make the child more frustrated! The OP's child is frustrated right now, and every child I've known who has had ST LOVED it. I don't know of anyone who regrets getting these services for their child, but know of many who regret waiting it out. Yes, sometimes the child catches up, but not always. Why take that chance?

Agreed. Everyone always says wait, but I'm a huge advocate of EI!

 

[LadyShea]

My SIL "waited it out" and my nephew didn't get help until Kindergarten. At age 4 he was barely understandable as he had problems with numerous specific sounds.

He is much, much improved now in 2nd grade, but I can't help but think he might have had an easier time if they had pursued early intervention.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I called today and the SP is supposed to call back later this week to talk more in detail about DS and his development in all areas to see if they think he needs to start Speech Therapy.

Thanks for all the input. I would rather have him evaluated now and let them tell me if he does or does not need any additional help. It can't hurt to have the evaluation.

My personal theory is that he has 2 older sisters and never gets a word in edgewise!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

At 18 months my son babbled mamamamama and said nothing else. Despite everyone telling me that he'd talk eventually I pushed for evaluations and two months later he was diagnosed with severe apraxia (a speech delay) and began twice weekly therapy. They first taught him sign language to give him a way to communicate and teach him that communication would get him things. After that they worked on getting him to make sounds then string that along to words and so on - it was a mix of play therapy and repetitive motions. Long story short it took 8 months before his speech really "took off" and he was released from therapy 4 months after that. Now I can't get him to stop and I'm still surprised at the words he says - of course now we have to be careful with what we say but I'd rather have that problem than his frustration at not being able to talk. It sounds as if you're on the right path to get him checked out and I wish your family the best!

 

[Kriii]

If your child is getting frustrated and making up signs to communicate this is a red flag that there may be a problem. Neglect to address it now and behavior issues could easily increase. The poster who mentioned apraxia knows what she is talking about but there are other reasons for a communication delay. Glad to hear you are pursuing the evaluation.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I took DS17months to the Dr yesterday for a sick visit (suspected ear infection but those were clear) and in talking with the Dr she seemed to be concerned that DS isn't really saying many words.

DS will jabber constantly and can understand and follow instructions (pick up your cup and take it to Daddy) but he just seems to have no desire to speak specific words to communicate his needs.

Funny thing is that he used to act like he was saying more like Mama and Da and Ab-bah (his sister Abbey) and Sissy (his other sister Jess) but now all he says that is remotely clear is "joos" for juice.

The Dr gave us the number of a Speech Pathologist to call for a consultation. My girls all talked pretty early (and haven't stopped since!) but DS is my first boy and I guess I always just thought boys did things at a different pace. DS walked and ran at 10 months so he did that early.

Any experience with this? What exactly does the Speech Pathologist do with a child this young to encourage them to talk? Is it really that big of a deal that he isn't talking yet??

My son is 16 months and at his 15 month checkup I mentioned I thought he should be saying more, but she just said they all do it at their own rate, which is true and boys tend me be a bit slower at it than girls....but I only have boys to compare to. She suggested that I start some simple "signs" with him since I noticed he was getting frustrated with me about things and we couldn't communicate very well..so far so good and he just started telling me "up" and "bubba" (bottle for his sippy)......maybe we're on to something. It seems young at 17 months to be seeing a pathogist, but I'm not a professional by any means. My dr. said let's see what happens by 18 months an go from there.....that's when my other two really took off. Good luck!