15 month old needing speech therapy? Speech delayed?

Question

Dr. says that my 15 month old needs speech therapy. He isn't talking but does point at what he wants and shakes his head yes or no. I have taken him to speech therapy 2 times so far. It kind of seems a little useless because what she does is the same type of stuff I do with him on a regular basis everyday (saying the name of objects over and over, playing with shapes and blocks, etc.). Speech therapist says that he is delayed. Should I wait and see if he starts talking on his own or continue to take him to therapy twice a week? Any other moms with kids that are speech delayed?

He does sound as if he is trying to say mamama at times and he does make sounds that really don't sound like much of anything. Dr. suggested a hearing test, I had that done and hearing was fine. I'm also wondering if maybe I should get a 2nd opinion!?

One more thing! The speech therapist said that on the next visit she will just have him in there with her so he won't be distracted. This freaks me out!

Answer 1

KEEP going to treatment! I am a Speech Pathologist, and it is very important for consistency to continue, even if just for a few months to see how he does. Remember that between 18 mos and two years you should see a huge language increase as well. If he isn't imitating you now, it is important to teach him this skill, with a trained professional.

Ask the therapist if one time per week would be okay, for you to learn some ideas. You can always increase to 2x/week if necessary (but only if her schedule allows). Or, stick with 2x/week for 3 months and see what changes he has made. Remember your SLP should have set some goals for him to achieve in a short period of time. If he is making good progress, she will let you know. Have faith in your therapist. So many times parents think I am "just playing with their kids", when in fact, I am playing...but doing so with a goal in mind, knowing when/how to cue to get what we want. Remember us therapists don't recommend therapy if it's not needed.

Other things to consider...how are his oral motor skills? Does he make eye contact? Does he try to imitate you? Lots of questions for your therapist.

Hope this helps you! Keep up the therapy, it will pay off in the end!!!!
:)

Answer 2

I am a speech/language therapist with a master's in speech/language pathology. Babies usually start saying their first words around 12 months of age, so technically your son is a tad behind. If both your family Dr. and the speech therapist have concerns it probably wouldn't hurt to participate in therapy. While some aspects of therapy are better off without a parent in sight, you should be playing a major role in your child's therapy process. The therapist is only seeing him twice per week, and you are seeing him all the time. Imagine if you could implement the suggestions she can offer all the time! The speech therapist should get you involved in the process and teach you strategies that you can use at home. As you mentioned, she does seem to be doing things that you already do, so I'm sure you would be more than happy to try any new suggestions at home. If she is consistently asking that you leave the room I would discuss that concern with her because you, after all, are the most important language model in your child's life.

Answer 3

You don't say if there are any other indicators present, such as hyperactivity, known chromosome problem, other disability that could indicate that speech will be delayed. If there aren't any other indicators, then I think these people are being a bit pre-emptive. If there are older children around, this frequently seems to delay speech, but usually turns out they either can't get a word in, don't need to, or are too busy watching the entertainment and learning (and storing it up for future use against you!) to bother to speak. If a child gets a few words then stops speaking I'd be watchful, or if he is inclined to other behaviours that seem 'odd' compared to his peers, then that might set alarm bells ringing. Without further information, I'd advise you to go on your gut instinct. I think you'd be having qualms if your baby has a problem, or his grandparents would be mentioning it carefully to you. Carry on with your own method of teaching speech, play and say, tell him everything he's doing as he's doing it, tell him who and waht everything is all the time. If you have the time and the money for speech therapy, then go and make use of them. If not, wait until he's a bit older before really worrying. Speak to your older relatives and ask them to be honest. Look at friends' kids of the same age. After all is said and done, if you thought he really needed it, you wouldn't be on here asking the question. Having said that, speech therapy wouldn't hurt any child, it's not scary or invasive. It may jolt Baby into action!
No, don't let him go in alone. YOU have the final say, he's your baby, and that's all he is, a baby. If she won't respect that, then leave anyway. He'll be more comfortable with you than without you, and any health professional should not even suggest otherwise. Be strong girl - you're his first defence against the world of weirdos.

Answer 4

Language skills are acquired on a range-usually "talking" begins between 18-24 months! But it is normal for some kids to not talk until between 2-3 years too. Getting into the habit of taking your child to therapies everytime you think something could be wrong will just require that he will need more therapy in the future for his emotional health. But I think you did the right thing in taking him initially, because you know your baby more than anyone. If you think there is a problem, it's good that you sought help.

I would be suspect of any therapist who would take a 15 month old for "speech therapy" without strong indicators of a problem. Feeling like something is "wrong" with you from a very early age can cause very serious emotional problems in people. I nannied for a family whose son at 22 months said only 2 words-and now he is running his mouth off at 24 months. No one ever suspected there to be an issue(doctors,etc) because they checked his hearing and he gestured a lot to get what he wanted. You said your child gestures, nods, etc..So not talking should not be an issue at all at this age, unless there are other indicators.

If he follows your directions and understands what you are saying, there is really nothing to fret about at this time. Does he say even one word? Check this website for some good warning sign indicators

http://www.babycenter.com/general/toddler/toddlerdevelopment/12293.html?ccRelLink=&url=%2Frefcap%2Ftoddler%2Ftoddlerdevelopment%2F1213394.html&xTopic=toddlerspeech&bus=content

Answer 5

I do not think your son has an issues but get a second opinion so you feel better. Three languages should not be an issue at all. I and my husband speak two different languages to my son and then he goes to daycare where every one speaks English. So far he is picking up words from English and the language I (mom) speak. he speaks 20 words at almost 16 months old. many kids I know are raised in an environment with 2-3 languages and they have a much easier time than learning as an adult. I have heard that such kids may take a few months longer than one language kids to speak up. In addition speech development is slower in boys than girls. If your son did have a learning issue, it might be better to have one or two languages max, for a while. Daycare does provide stimulation but you could provide that also by being part of play groups on weekends, I find that my Sat and Sunday stroll with my son, where he gets to see othe people, kids and dog, butterflies etc is very stimulating. Maybe you could ask your mom to take him to park or walks once a day, if she can. Keep reading and talking to him when you are feeding, diaper changing, bath etc and he will pick up words. And have fun with your son. He seems like a happy, fun baby.

Answer 6

My 18 month old is speech delayed also. He sees a speech therapist 1x a week and I also think he doesn't need it because everything she does I do. So I'm also thinking about canceling the service. The only reason my son is delayed is because he was born at 23 weeks and of course I know he will have some problems but eventually he will come around. He is just moving at his own pace and I'm just happy when he reach any milestone.If you feel he don't need it then canceling it because I am soon.

Answer 7

I have never heard of a one year old getting speech and I've been in special education for over 10 years. Who is paying for the therapy? If children aren't talking by the time they are 3, the school district will pay for speech therapy. My oldest could say less than 20 words at his 2nd birthday. He now is the best reader in kindergarten and has as large as vocabulary as any other 6 year old. Keep reading to him and doing the exercises the therapist recommends. It won't hurt him although I'm not sure if it's necessary. If they're charging you lots of money, pull him out and buy a speech book for preschoolers. Sounds like you can do it at home. Best of luck to you!

Answer 8

Any type of intervention- when a Dr. thinks there is a problem- is good. The earlier the better. If your child gets therapy now, by the time he gets into school it may not be needed. If you wait, yes it 'might' work itself out but it might not and then he will be in therapy during his school years and miss out on stuff the other kids are doing and this will also hurt his confidence.

At 15 months he thinks this nice lady comes over to play games with me and we have fun. Kids do better without parental distractions because they can play their parents like a deck of cards.....teachers come up with different stratigies to bring out different abilities in children.

Answer 9

If he's not saying anything - more than babbling, he should be in speech therapy. The younger he starts, the better success he'll have in the long run. If you put it off, it could be harder to fix. I would take him to therapy now to prevent problems later.

Some kids do better without mom or dad there - because there will be no one to "interpret" for him - because you know what he wants, you react without him saying it properly. If the therapist works with him one on one at least for a while, she can get a better idea of his true need. (If you ever notice, kids that have several older siblings put off learning to talk, because they don't need to. Their siblings tell mom and dad what the baby wants.)

Good luck!! I know it can feel weird now, but trust me, he'll be better off down the road.

Answer 10

my daughter has been in speech since she was 18 months. i know exactly how you feel, all i kept thinking is, all they do is play! and then at every evaluation i would get all emotional, thinking why does she have to be pushed when i and my entire family think she just needs time. well i decided to stick with it, one because its free, and two what can it hurt. Paige is 3 now, and because she was in the Early Intervention program, she gets to go to preschool for free, and they'll continue the speech there. she is talking a lot more now, and at one point we had to do sign language, for the simple things like milk, drink, please. but now she's talking to us and finally calls us mama and dada..which took so long because we were focused on all these other things. one thing was the therapist always came to our house and until i was comfortable i was always in the room. so if you want to be in there, you tell them that is what you want. i know its hard, but it does help and when you start to see that improvement you'll be glad you did. cause even the small words are a big step.