Speech Therapy Questions?

Question

My Son is 18 months old and not talking yet so his Dr. is concerned. He is developing fine in all other areas, just his speech is lacking. He USED to say “Mama”, “DaDa” and “YumYum” but stopped about 4-5 months back. He does make noises like “Ha” and “BaBa” and “DaDa”, but none of them are exclusive to one thing or another…just general noises. When he goes in for his next check up she will send him for a speech evaluation and speech therapy if he’s not speaking yet. Have you been to speech therapy with your child or are you a Speech Therapist? Can you give me some tips on what we can do at home to better encourage him without him feeling pressured?

We of course encourage speaking by asking him what he wants a few times and then as we are doing the action he asked for we tell him what we’re doing. We ask him to use his words to tell us what he wants instead of just putting our hand on an object.

I know this is long but I wanted to give as much info. As I could so I can get the best tips possible. Oh, and I know that all children develop at their own pace so please…no comments like that.

Thanks

Autism has been ruled out and his hearing tes came back perfect. He does understand what we say to him because responds accordingly.

Thanks for the tips...

Answer 1

I work with children birth to age three who have delays. I'm concerned that your son has lost words. I'm not trying to scare you but that is a sign of autism. I would call your local school district and ask for an evaluation. There are Early Start programs in each state that are free to parents. In the meantime read to him daily and label things in his enviornment.

As far as autism goes, here are a few other signs to watch out for. Does he respond with a head turn and eye contact to his name being called, without having to use a loud tone. Does he use an isolated index finger to point at items that he wants (this is actually a huge sign of autism when the child isn't doing this, and a good sign that a child does not have autism if they are doing it). Does he seem unusually interested in things that spin or move, such as flipping light switches on and off reperatedly (not just a few times, which is normal, but over and over again). If he's doing any of these things mention to the person taking his referral. Good luck.

*I'm glad it doesn't seem he has autism. Just to let you know though the only person who can diagnose it is a clinical psychologist, and the only way to rule it out is to have an autism evaluation. They usually don't test until the age of 18 months.

Answer 2

My son had no words at 18 months and was referred to a speech therapist then. We first had his hearing tested and then went on the wait-list for a speech-path. Some words started to come at about 2 years(ish) and he started seeing a speech path just before his 4th birthday (I love the waiting lists our health care has). The thing I’ve learned the most since going to see the speech path, is that if I would have stopped interrupting my son 3 years ago, we wouldn’t be seeing a speech path twice a month now. It is so hard to do, because I know what he wants, I’ll just grab it and give it to him before he’s even finished asking or if the answer’s no, I’ll stop him from asking and tell him no. And (IMO) my boy being lazy (no physical problems were found), if he doesn’t have to talk, he won’t and now he doesn’t have the same skill set for sound production that other kids his age do. Your son will probably get his hearing tested first and if it’s found to be okay, then you will start seeing a speech path. Where are you from? My son was referred to speech path at 18 months because the wait was (supposed to be) 12 – 18 months, that way he was already on the wait list if there was still a problem in a year. As it was, it was over 2 years before we actually saw one. What to expect? She will first do an assessment to determine what help if any your son requires. My son was diagnosed as having a mild to moderate speech delay. The sessions have helped. She is also working on other areas where he might require improvement. Speech therapy is non-invasive. You have nothing to lose by getting it checked out and it will not hurt your son. And during the sessions? The speech path plays games. My son loves his speech path.

Answer 3

That's GREAT that you have a Ped who is actually proactive and not taking the ancient view of "wait and see." My son was similar. Talking just fine around 18 months, then all of a sudden stopped. Just before his 2nd birthday, I had him evaluated (his hearing and comprehension levels were fine) and he qualified for free speech therapy through the county (free services are available to children under 3 years of age). The therapist came to our home once a week and my husband and I took a parent class for 8 weeks to learn techniques to help him along. One thing that you want to stop doing is asking him to use his words instead of pointing. If he can't say the words, your request will create more pressure and frustration on him because he can't. Instead, just say the words slowly and let him point at objects. When he gets evaluated by a therapist, you'll get an individualized plan on what he needs. Right now, my son will be 4 in April and whe won't stop talking!! :)

Answer 4

I have a son who after he had his tonsils out lost some of his sounds..we did a little speech therapy and he did very well and recovered them.
Since your son is so young, I would please look into Aurism, one of the main signs is loosing speech, and no longer using words. Especially when you said the he makes sounds. Please don't be worried, but I would talk to your Dr. about it. Autism is several types and ranges greatly in severance. But, I think it would be worth checking out to mkae sure nothing is over looked medically.
Here is a good site that you can look through to see if your son exhibts any other signs.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/DS00348/DSECTION=2

If he does not or you and your Dr. have already cleared him of this. Then what your doing at home is wonderful. One thing to note show him with your mouth how you are making the sounds for instance the mmmm...it said with your lips closed..bring his hand to your mom so he can "feel" the sound. and repeat a word that starts with mmm...such as MOM, and point to yourself.
At that age all the senses are involved in learning so using all of them while your teaching can help and encourage him along.
Good luck..your doing GREAT mom

Answer 5

I was in speech therapy as a child. he'll feel comfortable during the therapy. the therapists are trained to work with kids and normally have some toys around.

the therapist will make a 'goal sheet' for both home and at therapy. it's normally three small goals in a few months and then more goals for the next few months. its goes in little incriments