Speech Delay in 2-Year-old

My #3 son was 4 when he was put into a school district preschool for speech delays and a processing disorder. It was one of the best things we could have done for him. The schools are able to work one on one in a way you can't at home, and as a result, though it was predicted he would be behind his peers until middle school, he caught up with them by the second grade. He will be 17 next month and is doing wonderfully in school. He's not at the top of his class, but he's successful and that's what's most important to me.

Good luck!

Early intervention (EI) usually covers children birth through 2 years and school districts from 3 years on. When he was assessed by EI, they should have made recommendations and referrals at that time.

I have a friend that had some help with her daughter and speech for a time. She felt it was so good for them and in (what I feel is) a very short time her daughter was back on track and is at a higher level than her age and they no longer need the outside help. She refers to it as a gentle push into language. She is very pleased with the experience, but I have spoken to people who use these services and some have had to change staff because there was not a bond or the "fit" just wasn't right. Do not be afraid to speak up if you aren't happy with the way things are going. Again all this is second hand stuff, but I have several friends that have used these types of services and seen good results.

I don't have info regarding the school district but I do have some suggestions regarding the speech delay. I have a wonderful music and movement program in Northbrook called Jigglejam for parents with children ages 6 mos- 3 yrs. I have had a few families referred to my classes by Speech Pathalogists as it is believed that music is a great way to develop speech in young children. Please check out my web site at www.jigglejamproductions.com if you are near the Northbrook area. Good Luck

Our son received speech therapy for a year and a half through early intervention and we loved it. The fees are based on your income so they were pretty reasonable since the state picked up the rest of the cost. Our school district takes over at age 3. My son was evaluated also through the school but I was not impressed with the people that would be working with him so we declined the program. He is attending Preschool in a few weeks so we are hoping that being around other kids is going to be all the extra help that he needs. If you have any other questions just let me know and good luck!

You don't qualify for help with the school district until they are 3. You will have to get an evaluation from them. They are just getting back to work as they are on the same schedule as the schools.

They have to respond to your request in a certain amount of time (30 or 60 days, I don't remember). They will contact you, set up an evaluation, then meet with you to go over the results. Based on that, they will determine what services you qualify for.

They might offer the option of your child having speech sessions at your home school or having him placed in a preschool that offers services. Unless your child has other needs, the preschool will cost money. The sessions at the school will be free of charge.

I paid the money for the preschool and found it to be well worthwhile. The program was language-based and very helpful. He was pulled out 1 time a week for individual therapy there. I never did the sessions at the home school. My fear was that we wouldn't get much out of them. They wanted to schedule them on a Monday and the schools have lots of Mondays off. Also they were only 30 minutes long and by the time you got there and got settled, it was less than that.

They will explain all your options when you talk to them. Do you know anyone in your area that has gone through this? It's always good to know someone to give you some tips and information on their experience with your school district.

Yes -- your son may be eligible for additional services for his delays through your school district. Since you are already enrolled in EI Services, your son's transition from EI to the school district (or special education cooperative) will be handled by your EI Service Coordinator (so you don't need to be contacting the school on your own!) When your son is age 2yr 6 mo, your EI Service Coordinator should start the transition process by getting your consent to send a referral packet to your school district. At 2yrs 9 months, you will have a Transition Planning Conference with your Service Coordinator and a rep from the school district. And it goes on from there, with additional evaluations by the school district, etc.

Call your EI Service Coordinator on Monday and remind her that your son is about to turn 2 1/2 and ask her to send you information on the transition and to kick-off the transition process. She should send you a booklet called, "When I'm 3, Where Will I Be?" She should be able to answer all your questions.

The previous post is correct in saying that if your child qualifies, the services would begin when the child turns 3. You are on the right track if you have already contacted the district regarding having an assessment completed.

It really depends on what district you live in what types of services they will be available. Some districts do have preschool services for children who only have speech and language deficits and I do not think that they would charge you for the preschool...not if your child qualifies for the service.

Like the previous post stated, they also typically offer to some students, just speech only services....then it would be your responsibility to transport your child to that service at the designated time. At far as if it is only 30 minutes a week of service, if you have a good therapist, even 30 minutes will help make improvements in your child's speech -- just like any other appointment, though, timeliness of both parties is an important factor.

Was your son evaluated by the Easter Seals? If so, they provide in home treatment for delays until the child turns three. My son was diagnosed by the Easter Seals Foundation with a speech delay and Sensory Intergration Disorder, as well as a bit of a motor skill delay. Since he was a few weeks from turning three, I was told he needed to enter the school district. So, I called our school district. They did an eval of him as well. He was entered into the school in May of that year. He was put into Early Childhood. During the start of the next school year that fall, he was still three and put into Early Childhood again, where he stayed until this past year. He entered Special Ed Kindergarten. He was doing so well that it was decided to mainstream him into regular kindergarten. By April of this year, I had the IEP meeting at school with all the teachers and therapists. We agreed to put my now six year old in regular kindergarten. This fall, he starts first grade. His time will be split between Special ed and regular first grade. When they see how he's doing, his schedule will be adjusted.

Yes I have, and it's a good thing. You story sounds just like my story. My daughter just turned three (3) and she doesn't have a delay anymore, but since Jan. we been working with Early Intervention/school district and my daughter speech got better and now she doesn't need it anymore. I do plan on sending her to preschool in the fall to help more with her speech but not all day preschool, just a couple of days a week.

Check out ChildCare Resource and Referral. They will have information since your child is the age he is. That's such a tough age to be at, because they sort of fall through the cracks for the next 6 months. I would call your district, I am most familiar with Naperville 204, and they are great and have free preschool if you qualify. Find the resources, and you'll be very happy.

Utilize your school district they will catch your child up so that when he gets to the age that kids care about what is happening all of this should be history. We went through it and it was wonderful, the teachers were great and the speech therapists for that age really love what they do as they get the reward of seeing what a difference they make. You pay taxes for them to help you so let them do it. Any other questions let me know.

I recommend the following resource...

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/az34.asp

Best wishes,
J.

My son is 20 months and was diagnosed with a speech delay too. We live in the city and were advised by our pediatrician to contact EI. I did, they came to our house & did the eval and now we're starting speech therapy in 2 weeks. I'm not sure what the other women were saying about having to be 3??!? The earlier they get help the better!

Dear M. C

Once a child is age 3, the evaluation process will be handled by SEDOL (and not Early Intervention). Early Intervention should be able to let you know more about SEDOL in your area. The one I went to was off of Gages Lake Road. Then the evaluation results are discussed with your school district and it is deterimined if a special Early Childhood Preschool Program will be necessary for your child and what therapies are needed.

Good Luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

A. (____@____.com)

At age three services kick over to the school district. My daughter was in EI, after which she received (and is still getting) help through special education classes. The pre-Ks have a bunch of options...spec ed, blended classes, mainstream with the student being taken out for OT or speech. I've found that my daughter is getting where she needs to go in the system, provided I stay on top of the administrative process (meaning I take notes and am a pain in the butt about phone calls, LOL.) Your caseworker can apprise you of your options when the time comes.

Good luck - and hats off to you for getting your son evaluated!

My son has been in the program our's is called Smiles. It has helped him tremendously. He's 4 and still has a speech delay but the school has helped him 200% in the short time he's been involved. It is thru the school district and they do testing 2-3 times a year. But you can get him in at anytime, I had to get a note from my pediatrician. And you don't have to wait unitl he's 2.5. The age is 2 and the sooner you get him in the better it will be.

2 of my kids had delayed speech....not to worry!! this doesn't mean it will be forever, nor does it mean your child doesn't understand a great deal about his/her world. My son started speech at age 3 through the CPS. He stayed with the program until high school. He now has a beautiful "announcer man" speech pattern and voice. He makes fun of the time he spent in speech therapy and tells people they should do the time also! My daughter started at age 4. She also stayed with the program until 6th grade. She recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University this past spring with not one but 2 Bachelor Degrees in just 4 yrs. Both of my children learned to read earlier than most ( I believe this is in part due to their time in speech class as printed material was part of their learning) ....it takes time for the school to get back to you, but stick it out. Call them again once classes begin this fall ( some start in just a couple of weeks from now) and keep a log of when you call. The school is legally obligated to get back to you in a reasonable amount of time.

If the school district offers only speech for you I have a great speech pathologist in Grayslake that will do a complete eval for free. I know you already did one so they may be able to use that and see what they can offer also. Then you can see if they will complement what the school offers. They do so much more than just speech. Let me know if you want the number.

P. ____@____.com

Could you please email me the phone number of the state early intervention program as well as the department in which it is located? My male "significant other" does a radio show on Sunday mornings on AM 950 and AM 930 and will be discussing premature babies next week. I was just telling him about early intervention programs but didn't know where to find them. Your prompt contact would be much appreciated, and I sure wish I could help with your son's issues. I know more about programs for the blind and visually impaired as have been in that field for 35 years.
S.

Kindering center has helped us. We faced same problems. Please call them today and they'll help you in all possible ways.
Thanks!!!

Your doctor is correct, however, the school district (federal) program begins at age 3. It is good to contact your school district ahead of time so that they can do their own assessments etc. so that as soon as he turns 3 he is ready to go. In the meantime, the state program should provide services AT NO COST TO YOU. My son was assessed at age two and diagnosed with apraxia. He was 30 months old and had the expressive language skills of a 7 month old. A speech therapist and an occupational therapist came to my house until he was 3. Keep in mind that the your home school may not be the school that your child attends depending on his issues. Most schools participate in a cooperative for special education which is a group of schools that share the special education services. So one school might handle children with some disabilities, and all of the students from the schools in the cooperative with that disability; another school might handle another type of issue etc. Transportation is FREE to you to take your child to these schools.

I am a former school board member, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Also, my son willbe 14 years old in October and is perfectly healthy happy and normal. He has no speech or occupational therapy issues...he is an athlete and in the band and choir, heading into 8th grade...so, get him in the program and all will be well! Good luck!

When your little one is 3 the schools can begin services. Until then he can get services through early intervention. A few months before his 3rd bday, call your home school and set up an evaluation.

My daughter has been receiving speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy through our school district since she was 3. Before that you go through early intervention which come out to your home. My school district is absolutely wonderful (district 54). She started preschool at age 3 at no charge and she receives all her therapy while she is at school. This will be her 3rd year in school and she is now starting a full day kindergarten. If you are in a good school district they will help you every step of the way. Good luck to your family!

Hi--I have a 3 year old son-Jakob who still has a speech delay with articulation--Initially we began to get concerned with his lack of speech--at 12 1/2 months--vocabulary mainly and so we asked our pediatrician for a recommendation--should we be concerned? My husband was the one most concerned because his 11 year old son-Ben had a speech delay and later was diagnosed with Autism. Our pediatrician recommended an Early Intervention program through DayOne network. They led us to go through many evaluations of all aspects of development--he was advanced or at normal range for most--except for speech--33% delay--We then were directed to a speech therapist 1x/week for about a year and then we were so happy with the progress we decided to go 2x/week until he was three. He now has "graduated" from this program and we have been directed to go to our school district--Oswego 308 for an evaluation.
It was recommended he go 1 hour, 1x/week for group therapy to work on articulation. It is called a "Walk In" program at Brokaw Early Intervention in Oswego off of route 34. I am waiting to be contacted by a speech therapist to set up up the time and date for the therapy--The first day begins September 3rd. So we'll see--From this last evaluation--the results concluded that he has improved substantially overall with his speech. Sorry this is so long but I know your concern and frustration and the thought of "am I just being an over-reacting M." or is my concern legitimate? So ignore the thought of "now he is labeled slow"--as I did and go for all the help you can get. The first program cost us $200/month based on our income and now with the school district it is free--(through paying our costly taxes). Final note--just be preprared for lots of paperwork--but that's expected with government--run programs. Good luck and please feel free to contact me through e-mail.

L.---mother of 3+year old Jakob and two wonderful stepsons--11 and 9--who live with us on the weekends--My husband of three 3 1/2 years is the best--I also substitute teach part-time--

When will your son be 3? Your service coordinator should start making the referral to the school w/you at around 2 1/2 years of age so you should contact him/her about it.

Early intervention will help you with the transition process out of EI and into your school district. It will be pretty painless for you -- at least this was my experience with EI and district 203. The EI services run out at age 3 and the school district picks up then, so usually the two programs coordinate to arrange for a relatively seamless transition from one to the other. THe only problem might be if you don't qualify for services any more. This would be if your son has improved enough so that he no longer needs services. He will have to go through a full eval with the school dist, but EI will help set it up. Good luck!

I would take advantage of any services offered to help. The younger the better. Also have his hearing tested he may have fluid in the ears that causes sounds to be distorted. My son had to have tubes in his ears and went for speech help since he was 3. It does help. Just be careful they don't start putting stupid lables on your son and don't let them test for autism.
Best of luck
Peggy
any questions feel free to contact me.

Hi

My son did the same early intervention then the free preschool through the school district. He is now entering 2nd grade and in a language learning special ed program. I have found the preschool to be good they give him all the services he may need and the classes are small you really cant ask for a better preschool. They also have busing which is nice. Its Aug so you might have to be patient in hearing from them. I am suprised that early intervention hasnt set you up for the switch. Maybe you could ask them. When my son was little my caseworker for the early intervention program helped us with the switch and getting the eval and all that.

M. C

Depending on where you are at, there is a program in the northwest suburbs (not sure where else in cook county it exists) called the ECDEC program for that age. Call the local school district office. My son had fine motor skill delays at about 2-4 and he was in the program. I was also a stay at home M. at the time as well. It was a wonderful program, that my son loved and helped him to become sucessful. good luck to you and if I can help in any way feel free to contact me.

both my boys wetn through the Early Intervention program where the therapists came to our home until they were 3. My 4-year-old is in preschool with in-class speech therapy & my 3-year-old will be starting the same in a few weeks. My 4-year-old didn't seem to progress much with the in-home therapy, but as soon as he was going to school every day, it all started coming together & he's doing great. Call your local Easter Seals - they can get the ball rolling with the therapy.