How Soon Is Too Soon 4 Speech Therepy?

Have him evaluated by ECFE with your school district. My son was evaluated at 2 1/2 and found to have significant delays. He has attended speech therapy for 3 years now (twice weekly, St Paul Public Schools) and has made fantastic gains. He wnt from being a very frustrated little boy who was very difficult to understand (impossible when upset) to a wonderful talkative animated kid. It was torture for me to send him to "school" at 2 1/2 but well worth it. He thought it was cool . He will be entering first grade next fall and no longer require any special ed services.

K.

contact your school district to have him evaluated. My daughter has speech and language delays. Just like you I noticed that she as not speaking well for her age and I contacted the school district to have her evaluated. The people I dealt with were really helpful and everything was free. If your son does qualify for services he will either have a speech therapist come out to the home or day care he is at or he can go to a special school that is through the ECFE program Theses schools are the ECSE or early chidhood special education program. they deal with all types of special needs including speech and language. My daughter attended two of these schools and at both schools her teachers were great and so supportive and heplful to all the parents. IF you would like I can give you my email address in case you ever want to talk more about this or you need a supportive ear from another parent who is going through this.

Hi J.,

My name is C.. I am a speech therapist. I would tell the doctor that you just want an evaluation to be sure. It is time to look at therapy or at least home programming ideas that will help during conversation - at least an evaluation. Private therapy (clinic) or get an evalation through the early childhood department for the school system that he will be going to.

My son is 2 1/2 and has the expressive language of a 20 month old. He started speech therapy at 18 months as his expressive language was 6 months. He has made a world of difference. Since he was under 3, we worked with our local Early Intervention orgagnization. When he turns 3 he will be turned over to our school district to begin preschool and receive speech services. My advice to you, go with your gut, you are your childs best advocate! If you want to have your son evaluated, do it, no matter what your doctor might advise.

J.,
Check your school district they should have a program to evaluate him and get him the services he needs. I had the school look at my son when he turned 2 and he has been in speech classes since(now 4 1/2). I think since we got him help eairly he will be on track and not needing any special help once he is in kindergarden. I know that the Eagen/Apple Valley/Burnsville area does this as well as Mpls and St. Paul. Good luck.

My sister has two daughters. When her oldest was two, she had her speech evaluated as there seemed to be delays. She was diagnosed with speech apraxia. She was then able to get her help through the Minneapolis School District for speech therapy. She also qualified for occupational therapy, although a significant amount of that cost came out of their own pocket. When her second daughter was showing the same signs at 18 months, the school was proactive and allowed her to receive services at an earlier age. They are both doing well now, and no longer need the speech therapy (they are ages 9 and 6). I would suggest going with your instincts. You know your child better than anyone. If you feel there is something wrong, have it checked out.