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Hi. I work for therapists that specialize in children 0-3 years of age. Sometimes children need a little help to get them going on certain developments. (it can very well be short term) and then they are fine. Or they are late developers. Usually most kids catch up developmentally by the time they are 3. Your child should be saying some words at this point. Does he say "mama" or "dada" specifically? Does he say "no" meaningfully? Or "hi" and "bye"? Does he babble? Just because he is talking does not mean there is something wrong with him. He just might need a little push. But I would recommend therapy for him because I would think he gets frustrated easily if he cannot communicate (unless he does thru signing or pointing). If you are not noticing any improvements, then cancel therapy or switch to another speech therapist. My girlfriend's son had to have speech therapy for a short time (a few months) because you could not understand what he was saying.
Bottom line.. trust your instincts. I personally think he will only need it a short time and then "boom" he will just start talking a lot. Good luck :) |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/09/2008 12:42 PM
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| Thanks for your reply. He does not say anything, absolutely no words. He points to everything that he wants. We have only gone to speech therapy a couple times. We are going to BW's speech clinic. They were the only ones that did not have a 2 month or more waiting list. It seems like they are not doing anything that I am not doing at home, basically playing with him and talking to him. I am going to keep up with it for a little while and see how it goes, I just wanted to see if anyone else has been through this as well. Thanks again! |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/09/2008 01:50 PM
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| You would be suprised. It's fairly common (or it seems that way to me from reports we receive), especially if there is a 2 month wait list at other places. Give it alittle more time, and maybe get on a wait list for another place. In the meantime, if you have not done this already, read books "like baby's first words" ( I think that's the title). and repeat over and over as you point to picture (e.g. hat, ball, hand, etc). When he points to something he wants, say what it is that he wants. Don't give it to him for a moment and try to encourage him to say it. (don't let him get to upset, but say the word a few times then give it to him). That's what I did to encourage my son to talk..Being around other children to that talk help. I think it motivates them to talk more. I also encouraged babbling. If he can master vowel-consonant combinations, the next step is a word.Try not to worry and he will be fine :) |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/09/2008 02:04 PM
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| Yeah we do all that. We read lots and lots of books to him and we have picture books that we point things out in. When he points to something we tell him what it is and repeat it a couple times before actually giving it to him. I have been trying to find a play group for him, but nobody replys to my ads for play goups so far. I take him to places like the mall play area and playground world, but if there are too many kids he gets overwhelmed and shys away from them. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/09/2008 02:12 PM
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| His hearing might be the problem. You should get a second opinion other than from your pedi. |
| posted by hoot on 10/14/2008 05:53 PM
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| He hears just fine. He was evaluated for that too. Thanks for the reply. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/14/2008 09:21 PM
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Jennifer,
Is he your first child?
Does he make sounds? Not words but babbling noises? |
| posted by Felicity on 10/15/2008 12:52 PM
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| Yes he is my first. He is starting to babble more now. He never really babbled as a baby. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/15/2008 01:13 PM
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My daughter is the same age and we are going through the same issue as you...my pedi told us to wait until she is 2 and if there is no development by then to take her for speech therapy...we went to all the testing too...some kids develop a little behind others is what we were told...she now says Dada..what our ped also said is that when her little brother starts babbling that is probably when she will really start talking....Good Luck! I know how frustrating it is!
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| posted by Virginia on 10/15/2008 02:17 PM
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| Thanks for the reply! I am thinking that the speech therapy is a waist of time and money right now, but it is such a hard decision because I want what is best for my son. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/15/2008 02:39 PM
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Hi Jennifer,
I read that you were looking for a playgroup. I don't know where you live but you can go to www.parentsasteachers.org and put your zip code to see if they have a program near you. We have to travel outside of our town 20 miles to go to the one we go to, so if your zip code doesn't bring anything up try another zip code close to your home. It is a great program. They do home visits once a month to you house and they do things with your child to help them reach their milestones, or they give you suggestions as to many ideas to get your child doing different things they may not be doing yet. Our program also has a playday on Fridays for 0-3 year olds. The teacher has many different toys and learning toys and she will even let you check them out. SHe has resource books and will always help with any questions or concerns we might have, if she doens't know the answer she helps us find one. When they turn 3 she has another class for the 3 and 4 year olds, sort of like a preschool setting. It is only one day a week for 2 hours. All this is totally free. Good luck I hope you can find a playgroup close. These programs are usually conducted at elementary schools or preschools. |
| posted by amy on 10/15/2008 02:52 PM
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| Hi, I'm in Bedford, Ohio. My daughter is 28 mos. and is in speach therapy. If you'd like to get together sometime send me a message. |
| posted by Melissa on 10/16/2008 12:23 AM
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| Try calling Help Me Grow. they will evaluate him, and give you free services and even if he doesn't need therapy they will give you lists of local playgroups and activities. |
| posted by Melissa on 10/16/2008 12:26 AM
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| Thanks for the reply Melissa. Help Me Grow came out and evaluated him already and were the ones who gave me references to speech clinics because they have a waiting list for speech. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/16/2008 05:31 AM
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I think parents nowa days are so paranoid about their child's development. From inducing labor to speeding up their speech therapy. Why can't everyone just let nature do it's course and make your child talk, walk when they're ready?
i mean, if your child ain't talking and walking at age 4, THEN that's when you should seek medical attention.
Doctors are so quick to medicate and do physical therapy. What if your child's system just ain't ready for all that.
Haven't you heard of the phrase "there's a reason for everything?"
Parents complain about everything. just sayin. |
| posted by hoot on 10/16/2008 06:32 PM
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I have dealt with that and it might not seem like it helps but it really does it took a year for the theripy to help my son but once he started to talk he never quit.
Amber |
| posted by Amber on 10/17/2008 07:48 PM
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Also it could be his hearing has he had alot of ear infections that could the cause of alot of it. that was my sons problem.
Amber |
| posted by Amber on 10/17/2008 07:50 PM
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| We have been really lucky he has never had an ear infection. He hears very well. |
| posted by Jennifer on 10/17/2008 07:53 PM
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