Hi!
My son is two and a half years old and I'm wondering if he may have a speech delay. I'm in contact with a program in 'Early On'. Is anyone familiar with them and their services? He hasn't had an assessment done yet, but I have noticed he's a little behind where other children are. He's very smart though. He knows his ABC's, alot of nursury rhymes, his numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. But he doesn't speak in sentences, he uses 2 words at the most together, and he just started doing this. Has anyone ever gone through this?
I went through the same thing with my oldest, he;s even went the early on program and at first nothing, but after they worked with him I can have a small conversation with him. If you have any other questions about the program let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
HI,
my now 3 1/2 year old went through the Early On assessment when he was about 13 months because he wasn't walking and showed no signs of doing it. It was a great program with RN's doing the assessments. They came right to my house and worked with him. Our worker also sent me lots of helpful articles in the mail. It sounds like your son is just slightly delayed in speech, witch you'll probably find out from Early On, is very common. Kids don't all develop at the same pace. I think you'll be glad you called them, they will put all your worries to rest.
My son is 18 months and we just started with Early On. We were recommeded by his Pediatrician. We did the testing and he does qualify so we start a "play group" in June that should help him start talking. Right now he only says Mama and Nana but he tries Dada but it always has the N sound. He only use the N and M sounds, but he understands EVERYTHING we tell him. The only thing with Early On is that it is a school program so it runs with the school year (which is ending). I am bummed about that. My son is also going to see an ENT which will also evaluate him and make some kind of recomendation. You mentioned that your pediatrician said everything was fine. My pediatrician is the one who said he needs some kind of speech therapy, we both agreed but I didn't have to bring it up. She asked and when I told her he only said M and N she recomended we do something and start with Early On. Stay with your instincts you know your child better than anyone. I don't know what kind of insurance you have but see an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor if you feel it's necessary. When I called to schedule his appointment they asked why we needed to be seen and I told them my 18 mo. old has speech delay. They were fine with that, that's what they do is evaluate that kind of stuff...
If you need any info. (Dr's etc..) feel free to contact me.
Good luck and hang in there!
Kim
My now 7 year old was tested at 3 and a half. She basically didnt say "bye" until she was 2. I also decided she needed something to do so looked through the phone book. Then I remembered the school I went to for preschool. They only kept her there for preschool. Said she was ok for normal school in KIndergarten. I still push for her to be in special ed, but they say she scores to high. I am sure he will turn out fine too.
Just wanted to let you know I'm just starting to work with Early On now too. My 27 weeker twins (now 9 months) are falling behind on some motor skills, even for their adjusted age.
Good luck...I know they have great people and great programs!
At 2 1/2 years old he sounds like he is doing great. My son had a speech delay and at 18 months had still never said mama, dada, or no. NOT a single word. He is now almost 5 and after 3 years of speech therapy 3-4 times a WEEK he is caught up, but he didn't say his ABC's that we would understand him until he was almost 4 years old. He also didn't speek in sentences until well over 3 years old. If your son is doing fine in other areas (my son wouldn't potty train until he was 3 1/2 years old!)then he probably is fine, but I would have him evaluated by Early On to ease your mind. If you live in the Lincoln school district they are wonderful and we are VERY familiar with them and the process.If you have any questions about them or the process just email me.
Good luck,
J.
Mom to a outgoing 4 3/4 year old boy and the world's sweetest 15 month old! Also a Registered Nurse and wife in my "spare time"...LOL!
It was a coincidence (sorry if spelled wrong) that I took my 19 mo old son to the doctor for his check up and the pediatrician informed me that my son also has a speech delay and referred us to the Early On program. She thought that it maybe because he has had frequent ear infections. We are scheduled to see the Ear Nose and Throat doctor next week. I'm glad I had a chance to read your posting. We should keep in touch!
Hi E.,
My brother was the same way. He is 6 now and is doing great. My mom had some concern and had him tested for a special program for kids in our school district. They told my mom that he was a very smart boy and she had nothing to worry about. They told him that he was over qualified for the program. Some kids just progress in different areas than others. That is what makes them special.
you colud have him checked and see to put your mind to rest, but my son didnt talk with full sentences untill he was 3.5,he also knew his letters shapes and colors, but just point and yelled or just two words at a time,now he is 13 and dont shut up.
We have similar stories, except that my son will be turning 7 years old next month. Since birth my son was "normal". Over the years he has hit all of his milestones rights on time, except speech. He's slightly above-average academically, but severely below average on speech. We have NEVER been able to find an answer as to why. It has been frustrating at times.
I urge you to contact early on as soon as possible and get your son enrolled in that, or something similar. My son began with early on through Haslett Public Schools when he was 2 1/2 years old. You can use a private speech therapist, but they are very expensive and typically not covered by health insurance. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and they wouldn't cover it. While my son is enrolled in regular school now, he still attends speech therapy with the school's speech pathologist.
Please contact me if you have more questions, or if I can help in any way. I know what you're going through and know that over the years I wish I had other parents to talk to about what we were dealing with. Good luck!!
My mother in law told me that my brother in law didn't start talking till he was 3. All kids are different and some talk sooner then others.
Hi. I just wanted you to know that this could be totally normal. My son just turned 3 last month and about 3weeks ago he started repeating everything i say and talking up a storm. Until that piont he had only said a few random words. My oldest is 7 and he was the exact same way. Everyone was saying how there had to be something wrong, but there wasn't. They just started talking when THEY were ready. They knew all the things that your son knows, abc's, etc. With my boys it seemed as though they were taking things in for about 3 years and then finally they had something to say. It literally just starts one day, and progresses each day from there.
My only advice is to do what you think is best. If you aren't concerned b/c he knows all that he does, and is very alert and bright, then i would just relax. It can be very frustrating especially if you compare to other kids that age. Just be patient and keep teaching him and reading to him, you'll be fine.
My son is 2.5 also, and it sounds like your son is ahead of mine. I was told by the doctor that he is right on track. He can not do his abc's or count. If I say 1 he will say 2, but that is about it. He speaks in two word sentences. My daughter was the same way at his age, and by three, she spoke in sentences and counted, and everything else. In my opinion, he is in normal range. Buy my neighbor did early on with her son, because by 3.5 he wasnt speaking, and seemed really far behind. Now he can right his name, count to 20, he just blew me away with what he can do now. So it might be a good idea for him to try early on. It cant hurt. Good luck.
Early On is great and the program in Milan started my son with a speech pathologist until he turned 3 and then put him in a Pre-Primary-Impaired program during the school year. After one year in the program, he was kicked out because he didn't qualify any longer. I know the program did great but you have the other factor that I think worked for me...once his little sister started talking, the two of them never shut up! It's almost like he couldn't be bothered talking to us; once she could converse, he had someone to talk to.
Pursue Early On, it's great!
I recommend Early On of MI as well as your local school district. They can evaluate your child and determine if speech therapy would help. Your school district can do an assesment and provide FREE speech therapy if necessary.
My son has been recieving speech services for almost 3 years now and it has made a HUGE difference. I would much rather get his speech corrected now - before school age! Currently, my son is very receptive to speech therapy (its basically a lot of play time - but the therapist has him working on different sounds, etc.) Prior to speech therapy he didn't speak at all (I'm not exagerrating - no words!). Good luck and follow through!
