Does your toddler receive speech therapy?

Question

My 2 year old is in speech therapy (she's only saying about 15 words, no 2 word strings yet.) The therapist doesn't do much, just plays with her and points out things, same thing I do with her! What does your child's speech therapist do and is it working? I'm beginning to think mine is a waste of time and money.

Actually, we're not paying for it, the state is. I guess I was talking about a waste of taxpayer money. I'm going to give it more time, I just wanted to see other people's experiences.

Answer 1

Hi
My daughter was similar at that age. She was only saying around 10 words. We saw a speech path as well and I found it to be a complete waste of time. My daughter was born at 23.2 weeks 450 grams. She is now 3.5 years old and saying around 3500 words and speaking above her age level.
The best advice I can suggest, is to read, read, read. Home made flash cards are great. I found bought flash cards didn't have the words I wanted on them. Also speak very clearly to your daughter and don't use shortened words or slang. Emphasing some words also helped, and sounding out words.
My daughter took off with her language around 2.7 years old. Even though your daughter may not be talking much yet, she's still taking it all in. oh, there's also a couple of good dvd's called, baby babble and my baby can talk that are worth having a look at. Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, my son is in speech theopy with a speech pathologist he is almost 21 months. He uses approx 9 words, also no 2 words strings. My sons theropist does much of the same...but here is the reason children learn mostly through play! A 2 year old should have a 200 to 300 word vocab w/ 3 to 4 word strings. Does her theropist have her lifting? The vocal cord mussles lay acrros the upper cheast when you strenghten the cheast muscles it can help increase vocal cord strenght. Has the theropist pin pointed anything yet, if she has been in theropy for more than 3 months you should have been given a reason. We first sent our son to a "normal speech theropist" and paid $200 per week, only top find this SECRET out!!! The US goverents no child left behind requires that all children under 4 be freely evaluated by the local public intermidate school system (or special needs school distrtict) and if treatment is necissary it is free regarless of your income!!!! My husband & I actually like his new "school" better. He is one on one 1x per week & group 1 x per week each have their benifts. I am from MI, so if you are also I can give you all the phone #, if not call around till you get to the proper program, you will be so happy you have.... Good Luck to you & your daughter &

I will check back for details to see of there is any more help you would like me to answer!

Answer 3

Oh, PLEASE! Speech therapy is far more complicated than you think. The speech pathologist, in addition to continuous assessment, is teaching the child listening skills, sequencing, grammatical constructions, reducing frustration and many other language techniques. Speech development has many factors parents are unaware of. It is NEVER a waste of time, nor money. A two year-old should have an expressive vocabulary of at least 50 words, and will not start using two-word utterances until that happens. The speech pathologist also works on non-verbal language skills. Many children DO NOT grow out of their problems, and the speech pathologist's assessment will identify those kids. Keep your kid in therapy. It can't hurt, and will have a lifetime effect on communicative competence. That includes reading, writing, speech and language. Frequently, kids with delays are diagnosed later with learning disabilities, so give your kid a leg-up.
Also, consider this; don't you think a specialist with a masters degree could possibly know more about this than you do?

Answer 4

My sons doctor wanted him to have speech therapy. When he went into the office he was playing with the tables etc. The and gibbering not talking. The doctor assumed that he was following his normal speech pattern.
Every other person who has met my son or talked to my son has been shocked at how well he can speak. I don't even mention he doctor wanted him to see a speech therapist.
The way I look at it even if he did have a problem I would wait until he was three. All kids do things are different rates. At three you can tell if there is a problem where as at two it might just be those skills haven't yet be honed in on.

Answer 5

I was born with Spina Bifida and it affected the speech centers of my brain so I had speech therapy from age 2-7 or 8 because I couldnt say consonant blends such as BL, PL, PR, ST, STR, CL,SCH, etc,< like BLUE was BOO> and from all I recall, it was basically the same when I was 2-3-she pointed things out, had me say it over and over, had me say it slower and try to enounciate the different letters. Then when I went to school, it was kind of the same but since I could read already, she had me read aloud to her as well as repeating words, as well as introducing new words and sounds etc. It was boring to me but I stuck it out. By the time I turned 8, I was able to slow down my speech and talk normally, able to say the consonant blends. I think there are no immediate results on speech therapy for a child, it takes time and effort. I do think tho that after awhile you will start to notice a bit of a difference then a great difference.
As for the cost, there may be a program to cover it, or your insurance may cover it, if you have insurance. If you dont have insurance consider trying to get state insurance if it covers it, the therapist should be able to tell you. Just hang in there and be patient. It should help a great deal.

Answer 6

Was your child referred to an early intervention program by her doctor? My son gets pt and speech therapy. He is 21 months old and has had therapy for a year already. It is a state run program and free so it isn't bad that it seems like a waste of time. He was having some problems with solid food and the therapist corrected it with oral massage and feeding techniques. Now that he should be talking and only says a few words they spend most of the time playing games with him and looking at books and saying the name of the pictures in the book and pointing it out to him to try to get him to say the word. It just seems like play time to him and he enjoys the one on one with his therapist. You should ask your doctor if your daughter qualifies for any state run programs. They come to you and it is free.

Answer 7

My girlfriend son recieves speech therapy b/c he was talking at all he just really started talking around four now he is about to turn five in FEB. and has made A LOT of improvement!!! Maybe you can consult with another therapist!!!! But DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Answer 8

I had my 2 yr old in speech therapy and no i didnt see the results straight away but it happened i chose to have mine in a group situation which helps. By the time it was time for second round he was up to speed. Keep up with it i no its fustrating but she will get there if u dont think the one on one is working try to change to a group one.

Answer 9

I was worried aboutthe same thing withmy first when he was 2... i kept asking peopel if they thought i shoudltake him to speech therapy..cause the health nurses said i should...but my friend said no way he is fine. He will be 3 in 2 days and he is speaking just fine. now his brother who is 12 months younger than hi, is talking almost as well as him @ 2yrs old...but he has a big brother teaching him every day. Your doingnothing wrong...and in my personal opinion, forget therapy....wait till shes 4, honestly.... shes not stupid...and shes not troubled.... give her time...kids all adjust and learn at different times... she may not be good at speech, like the next 2 yr old, but shes propbanly more developed in other ways, as the 2 year old tat can read romeo!!! out kids grow differently dont let statistics tell you your child is slow!!!

Answer 10

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