Speech and Other Dev. Delays

Hi D.,

S. here, mom to a son who's 7 and girl who's 2. First off, BREATHE!! You are smart to be checking things out and not waiting too long!

Have you tried sign language? Even kids who are developing 'normally' can benefit. It helps them have a language before they get too verbal and thus cuts WAY down on frustrations and tantrums. There is a great series called 'Signing Times', the show comes on PBS and you can also check them out at the library usually.

Another thing to check into is ssyour little one my have some food sensitivities that are causing behavioral problems. I have just been reading about this on a yahoo group I belong to, its called APVirginia, you could join it and look up the conversations. There are some super smart moms on there who have done tons of research.

Good luck to you! Hang in there!!

Hi there!
Don't worry, you're not alone. And feeling extremely frustrated is totally normal.
I'm a stepmom to a little boy with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. No, don't wait and see, have him evaluated for Apraxia.

Anyway, there's some things to remember when there is a language delay in place. First, that it's a language delay, not just speech. Not being able to communicate is what is probably causing his delays in other areas. He won't just think of things on his own, like to sign or to even point to the pictures if you do the picture chart mentioned earlier (great idea, by the way!!). But don't wait for him to do it, just use the signs and pictures to help him. Be his voice, until he can find his own.

Just picture your day if you couldn't tell anyone what you needed. That's his frustration level. Thinking clearly isn't what the most typical of 2-year-olds do, so one with a language barrier is definitely not going to.

Pick up a couple of books: The Late Talking Child, don't know the author (mid move and books are packed or I'd look!) and The Out-Of-Sync Child. Both are terrific reads.

Don't rule out sensory problems being the cause of the temper tantrums, either. They often go hand-in-hand with language disorders. I have no idea why.

I hope this helped! Mostly just know that we're here for you. Email me anytime, if I haven't been in your exact shoes, I know my husband has.

Also, check out this website: www.apraxia-kids.org.
:)

Hi D.,

Check with Kids Priority One. They have resources available.

www.kidspriorityone.org or ###-###-####

Has he been screened for DD's? Infant and Toddler Connection in each city has screening www.infantva.org

Has the boy been checked to see if he is deaf?

I hope you can discover what is causing his speech delay.

Good luck. Hope this helps. D.

This is not a "wait and see" situation. The earlier there is intervention the better for you and you're child. As far as communication goes make him a picture board. Have pictures of things he would want or need (hungry, thirsty, tired, potty, foods, clothes, games, etc.)that way he can SHOW you what he needs and you can reinforce it verbally and with signs. This will decrease both of your frustrations. Accept that your child is not like all other children, don't compare. He is yours and needs you to love and accept him as he is whether this challenge is temporary or permanent. So take the time to mourn the perfect child you had in your imagination and embrace the special things your child has to offer. I hope this is only temporary for you, but if it isn't be the best advocate for your child you can be! Good luck.

Don't worry. there is a wide range of normal and there is a wide range of delay. Sometimes kids just catch up on their own sometimes they need a little help. I have had a couple of my kids in speech for different reasons. I would not compare him to other kids or let others do it either. I would say if you feel he is delayed then don't let the dr. put you off . Push for a formal evaluation. You might look into the school district they have speech therapists and will evaluate and treat for free in their preschool speech program. I would call quickly before school gets out. you can reach them in the summer it just takes more work. In the mean time I would just patiently encourage him to use words. Not signs. It is a nice idea for children that are not delayed but you are teaching a second language and that is not recommended for kids delayed. You will not improve speech by giving him a way out of speech. I would have simple expectations. i.e. saying please when he wants something. He may need to point or take you in the room to show you if you don't understand but once you understand then say to him something like "please cracker" and then praise his attempts but don't give the cracker until he attempts. As this progresses then gradually raise the bar so that he is maybe saying please more clearly or saying both words instead of a form of just one. I would work slowly with small measurable goals. If you feel something is not right with your child you have to be the advocate. Too often the dr. is too busy and they don't know your child they see him rarely and for a few minutes. You are the authority on your child.

Hi D.!
My son has speech and OT and the program that it is through is Chesapeake Infant Intervention Program there number is ###-###-####. This program is good. They will come to your home and work with him. I see that you are Military so Tricare will pay for it. The only thing that you will need is a referal they will help you get it . I hope this helps. I wouldn't wait any longer either the sooner the better.

I am guessing you might have thought of this already, but has his hearing been checked? My 6 year old daughter had speech issues as well at 2, also lots of tantrums & frustration in her early years, but the issue for her ended up being excess inner ear fluid which caused a 30% hearing loss. No ear infections to speak of so we never caught it that way, but she just could not hear well. We figured it out when she asked us to turn on music that had been playing in the car for 10 minutes and had her tested as soon as possible.

She got tubes & adenoids scraped at 2 1/2 and we saw immediate improvement, but now we are having issues again. I think adenoids are back so we have new ent appointments. We are still dealing with issue with her from speech 4 years later. Her little sister also had the same problems but we were more alert for the problem the second time round.

Also, have you tried picture cards to help get you in the communication ball park. He could hand you a card for objects he wants. I don't know if that would help or not, but it might be worth considering.
Good luck!