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| Kids with speech delay |
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| I am (still) thinking of getting Arden involved in a play group, but I am so nervous that it may be a bad experience since a lot of what he says is still so unclear. I am just wondering how interaction goes with everyone else's kids. I know I am super protective of him, but I just don't want to have a bad experience for him that may cause him to shut down, or stop trying or something. So, what do you all do? Are your kids in daycare or school, or are they home with you most of the time, with very limited exposure to other kids? I'm just looking for a bunch of advice right now... |
| Posted by Rhonda on 11/18/2008 04:25 PM
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Hi Rhonda!
I also feel your frustrations. Lately, Jake has been copying and learning so much from Sammi, that I have decided to move forward with preschool. I asked Jake yesterday if he wanted to go to school, and he said "Yea!" Then thought he was going into Sammi's school! I felt bad for springing the idea on him without being fully prepared, but I think he understood, since no tantrum initialized. hee hee
I have called my local headstart, and since I know the speech therapist there, I feel confident that Jake will benefit profoundly. Of course I am nervous and scared, but I HAVE to take this step forward... for him.
It's a tough decision, but you have to weigh the benefits. I think it will be the best thing for my son, even though I am scared to death to leave him without FULL comprehension abilities. I will try it. If it doesn't work, then I will try something else.
Keep us posted on your decision! HUGS! |
| posted by Annette+4 on 11/18/2008 08:18 PM
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My daughter is 31/2 and I struggle with this everyday. For the most part she gets along very well with other children and attempts to talk to them. It's almost like she doesn't realize that they can't understand her. The other children also don't seem to notice and if they do they have never shown it. Still, I know that soon she will become more aware of her differences and I know kids can be cruel. I want so badly for her to have all the experiences (dance class, play groups...) that other kids her age have but I am so protective of her and her self esteem. It breaks my heart to think of her having bad experiences but I also don't want her to wonder why I never let her do those extra things that her peers are doing. We tried dance class. She just didn't like it but not because of anything related to her speech. We were able to do a trial class for free with one of her close friends so that she would at least know someone. I also talked to the teacher before hand but honestly she said that there's not a whole lot of verbal communication that goes on between the kids. She also goes to Sunday school and likes it and has never had a bad experience. Believe me it was so hard to let her go but now I'm glad I did. Right now we are looking into preschool. She gets private therapy from the special school district and while she did not qualify for the classroom setting we are thinking about paying for her to attend. It is a reverse mainstream classroom with kids with special needs who attend free of charge and also average developing children who pay to attend. The curriculum is excellent and challenging but there are therapists who work along side the teachers for those kids who need a little help. You could check with your school district to see if they offer something like this. That way Arden can get some socialization with all different types of kids in a atmosphere that is probably a little more sensitive too his differences. Good luck.
Natasha
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| posted by Natasha on 11/18/2008 08:50 PM
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I think being part of a play group is great for kids with speech problems. I've always been part of one, but it was originally so that I could find some friends with kids. Ryan loves being with other kids even though they don't understand much of what he says. He isn't very verbal when he is around other kids or people who aren't his family, but he tries to express himself - of course its usually by tugging! He watches a lot and I've had some kids ask me why he doesn't talk.
I would think that most kids would learn a lot from a playgroup and not feel bad because they don't know that they should feel bad about something. So unless you start saying things like 'why can't you talk like Mike?', I don't think he would think its a bad thing. I think a lot of times it's worse on the parent because they have to see other kids who are on target for their speaking and wonder why their child isn't there. So as long as you can keep your thoughts in check and not go crazy (I know its hard!), go for it! |
| posted by on 11/18/2008 10:39 PM
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| I agree, kids with speech delay should be in play groups or anywhere they can be with kids there ages. Even at the playground at Mcdonalds..My son is 2 1/2 yrs old and when we go to playgroups he does just fine. Even if the other kids do not understand him, they have their own way of communicating and he has a great time. I would let him try the playgroup thing and if it doesn't work well, then just stop going.. It might be good for you also, because you can talk about your concerns with other moms. Who knows you might find a group that a few of the parents are going through the same thing and they might be able to help you. |
| posted by Suzanne on 11/19/2008 09:00 AM
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Rhonda, I completely understand your fears. Paulie was actually the victim of a little brat (i know, it's really the parents' fault but, the I felt the momma lioness in me) but, he didn't even notice it. Since then, I have been very protective.
That being said, I agree with all the other mommies that responded, take the leap! The YMCA offers all sorts of physical playgroups that require virtually NO verbal communication among peers. Paulie took gymnastics and swimming and was able to swim, run and play with kids that spoke more and those that spoke less than him with no problems. He loved it and fit right in.
As far as preschool, we are very fortunate to have, in our area, a local Children's Association that was formed for all children- those with special needs of all kinds and also typically developing children. He will be starting school tomorrow and will go 3 days a week. He is in a class with about 13 other children, some need a nurse with them, some have TSS workers with them and some have fun and learn all on their own. The teachers are trained to understand how to take each child to their fullest potential.
I am escstatic but nervous, of course, because there's always a part of us that doesn't want to let go.
Everyone I talk to re Paulie's speech delay agrees that exposing him to other children who are speaking more clearly will do nothing other than encourage Paulie to want to speak more. Kids that young don't notice DIFFERENCES like adults do, they learn how to work with what they have in common.
I think Arden would benefit tremendously from a play group and/or preschool. You might just have to shop around to see what learning experience would work best for him.
Good luck!
Melissa |
| posted by Melissa on 11/19/2008 11:49 AM
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GIRL I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN I DONT KNOW ANYONE WHERE I LIVE AND MY SON TALK ALL THE TIME BUT YOU JUST CANT UNDERSTAND HIM. MY SON HAS NEVER BEEN AROUND OTHER KIDS EXCEPT MY BROTHER AND SISTERS HE IS THREE WHERE DO YOU LIVE IF IT IS AROUND MAYBE WE COULD HOOK UP AND LET THE BOYS TALK AND COMMUNICATE I ONCE HEARD KIDS LEARN MORE WHEN AROUND OTHER KIDS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS JUST LIKE THEM....
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| posted by renea on 11/19/2008 02:55 PM
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| my son suprised me today.. He went to the refridgerator and he grabbed the milk because he wanted more in his sippy cup.. I grabbed it form him because I knew he was going to spill all the milk, well I was the one who ended up spilling it, from grabbing it from him.. So, my reaction was to say the bad word shit!! so, what did he say after me.. is the same thing shit!!!!! so, he is sure coping me lately.. made me laugh, by at the same time he should be saying that.. just was a reaction............. |
| posted by Suzanne on 11/19/2008 11:39 PM
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| LOL Suzanne! I am soooo waiting for that to happen too! LOL So far, Jake still has his "filter" on. hee hee |
| posted by Annette+4 on 11/20/2008 10:17 AM
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