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| Kids with speech delay |
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Hi, My name is Tasha and I am new to this website and this group. I was so excited to find this group and am excited to get to know everyone. I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter and a wonderful 1 year old son. I have suspected that my daughter had a speech delay at about 18 months but everyone kept telling me not to worry. I made numerous calls to the Pediatrician and had several evaluations done around age 2 but because her receptive language was so advanced no one would help her. She turned 3 in April and has finally qualified for help through our school district. A specific evaluation has not been made but I suspect Apraxia. She will start individual sppech therapy in August. She trys very hard to talk and speeks in sentences but none of it is understandable. She has only makes vowel signs. She loves to sing and you can tell what song it is by the tune but again you can't make out any of the specific words. She is a wonderful little girl who loves other kids but I know it's hard for her because she can't communicate. It's hard to watch her struggle.
I can't wait to get to know all of you and find out more about your children. I am sorry for the long post, I'm just excited to find a group of women who are going through similar experiences.
Tasha |
| Posted by Natasha on 07/06/2008 10:13 PM
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Hi Tasha,
I too am new to the group and actually have not introduced myself yet but once I read your email I wanted to reply. I have 3 children all with the same diagnosis. My oldest son is 10, middle son just turned 8 and I have a daughter turning 2 1/2 this month. All my children have been dx with apraxia (among other issues including limb dyspraxia, sensory integration, feeding and growth issues) I can tell you that has been a lot of hard work, therapies and fighting for the best therapists for my children. To this day I am still learning. My two boys are doing beautifully. Still issues with sensory integration, feeding and growth but otherwise doing fantastic. I had VERY intensive speech therapy for them and it definitely made a difference. For them I did prompt therapy and that is what worked like a miracle for them. For my daughter I just don't have the resources available to me here and I am definitely worried. She is in Speech, OT, PT and I want to sign her up for hippotherapy. She is getting no prompt therapy currently and speech for 45 minutes once per week. Nothing compared to what I was providing my boys ( I was doing 3 to 4 times per week intensive). My children all have excellent receptive skills.
One piece of advice that I can give you is listen to your mother's intuition. Fight for all you can get for your daughter and if you are not pleased with anything find a therapist who will work with you. Don't give up. It is a long road but you are your child's best voice and advocate.
One more thing..........I have taught all my children sign language which works beautifully. Once they learn the word they usually drop the sign. This is a great means of communication while you are working on sounds and words. There is also programs like boardmaker or pecs with pictures / symbols so a child can communicate when they don't have the words. I have done a combination of both and they worked well for us. It definitely reduces frustration and allows your child some independance when they don't have the verbal skills to express themselves.
Jennifer |
| posted by jennifer on 07/06/2008 10:38 PM
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Hi Tasha and Welcome! Never apologize for long posts.. I thrive on them! hee hee
Your daughter sounds precious! Having a high receptive language is half the battle won!!!
Have you ever thought about fish oil supplements? I have read they help tremendously (and we use them too, and they are working great for my little guy!) I just read about the Omega 6 being very helpful for Apraxia.. I am considering starting Jake on the 3-6-9 Jr from Nordic Naturals (he already takes the children's DHA).
Do some googling... it may be just the boost your daughter needs. You can PM me, and I'll send you some links for some great websites with exercises and activities to encourage language development.
I was also told to wait and see by my son's pedi. My personal cut-off was 2 1/2... he is now in speech therapy 2 times a week. His progress is coming mainly from us working with him at home, though, since he has only been in therapy 3 weeks. Right now, the therapist is working on self-control and calming behavior. I can't wait to get my little guy talking... it has been a frustrating obstacle in our family.
Hope to get to know more about you and your family!
Annette
** Edit** I agree with the poster above... go with your gut feelings.. you are the one who has to be her voice.
*Another edit* LOL I just found this link for research information, WOW! http://www.omega-research.com/research.php?catid=7 (copy/paste)
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| posted by Annette+4 on 07/06/2008 10:43 PM
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Okay just to pipe in. I did use Nordic Naturals with my boys although it was a battle. They are so sensitive to tastes and looks of food that when they saw the oils floating on top of their juice that was it for me. Didn't matter if there was a lid, they knew. Haven't tried it though with my daughter. There are so few things that all of them eat that I hate to mess with the foods or beverages that they do consume.
Definitely a great suggestion to read up on.
Jennifer |
| posted by jennifer on 07/06/2008 11:27 PM
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Thank you so much for the advice girls. I will definately try the fish oil supplements. I've read a little about them but I wasn't sure how much to give her or where to get them and which were best. I am going to do some more reading up on them and try to start Nora on them ASAP. I am also going to keep pushing for more therapy for Nora. Currently she will only be getting two 45 min. sessions 2X a week. I had a very hard time getting her that much and I know she needs more but I'm new at this. Thankyou for motivating me to keep pushing for her. I look forward to getting to know you and learning more about your little ones.
Tasha |
| posted by Natasha on 07/06/2008 11:45 PM
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Hello and welcome to both Tasha and Jennifer, great to have you ladies on board!
We can only get past this challenge with support, understanding and knowledge and I hope you can find that here.
Melissa |
| posted by Melissa on 07/07/2008 07:17 AM
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Hi Jennifer.. pipe away! :o)
The Nordic Naturals that I use are the strawberry gel caps.. there is no fishy smell or taste.. and Jake pops 'em in like M&M's!
I am worried that the Omega 3-6-9 Jr. (which are lemon gel caps) may not go over as well, but I read that the Omega 6 and Borage Oils are very important in the treatment of Apraxia, and also in preventing it in younger children. AND it works for stroke patients to bring back language and prevent dementia in older people. Apparently this fish oil stuff is highly beneficial for the brain. I've been thinking about putting myself on it too!
I agree with the food battles.. Jake is at a stage where he won't eat hardly anything, and I don't want to mess with what he does eat... but he does take the Nordic gel caps without fuss. He calls them balls.. LOL and they look like candy, so be careful.
I started with 2 a day for a few days, then went to daily... then went to 3 a day daily, and now he is at 4 a day. Start out slow, to make sure there are no bad reactions. Good luck!
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| posted by Annette+4 on 07/07/2008 10:04 AM
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Hello! My name is Bridget and I am also new. I am so glad to find this group as well. I have a 2 1/2 yr old son who was recently diagnosed as speech delayed. he has a 50% delay with 18 % being receptive and 32% being expressive. I have signed to him since he was 3 months old and he has signed back since he was 10 months. He has about 15 "understandable" words and about 40 signs. We are getting ready to start ST soon (as soon as the Early Intervention people set the date!!). He had a hearing test done and the mid-tones he did not respond well to and the person conducting the test said she thought he understood but was "playing a game" with her because he was smirking so i am going to have it rechecked at a local hearing institute to be sure. He also has a mild social delay because he hasnt been around a ton of kids (Dad is stay at home and they do Gymboree once a week) so we are currently on the hunt for a weekend play group that he and I can do together. I am so looking forward to talking with you all!
Bridget |
| posted by ♥Bridget♥ on 07/07/2008 10:04 PM
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Hi Bridget and welcome. It looks like there are a lot of us newbies around here. It is such a relief for me to have found this site and I can't wait for us all to share our experiences and get to know one another. I have already gotten some wonderful advice and support and I hope you find this site just as helpful.
Tasha |
| posted by Natasha on 07/07/2008 10:26 PM
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