Have you tried early intervention program for speech development?

Question

Hi I have a Two year old Son. He behaves and acts like his age kids but speaks only a few words. We speak two languages at home. My pediatrician recomends trying early intervention program. Does anyone have experience with this & if so how did it help?

Answer 1

Yes, it can help. Children who learn two languages do sometimes show an initial delay in language, however, in the long run, these children tend to be more adept at language. It likely is not a true 'delay' and is more likely to be due to the two languages at home. This is not a bad thing. Again, children with two language homes will usually have better language skills. It wouldn't hurt to get your child assessed. First, they usually do a screening to determine if your child would qualify for a full evaluation. If the screening shows delays, a full speech assessment would be done which would tell you if your son qualifies or not. It can be scary, but remember...if you decide to go, YOU are the expert on your child so do not be afraid to talk to the people who assess your child and tell them what you think is going on. They may be 'experts' but you are the expert for your child. Good luck!

Answer 2

Early intervention for speech can help significantly for children with delayed speech. Since you speak two languages at home, this can delay speech development, as your child is attempting to understand the rules of each language. A speech therapist can give you all kinds of ideas to be able to work on at home to maximize your child's speech potential. You can get help by contacting your local Regional Center, who funds children for therapy three years old and younger. Ask your pediatrician how to get ahold of the one in yor area, or contact your local school district for more information. Speech therapy helps by assessing your child's particular speech/language needs, and focusing on helping to work on those. Your child's therapist may recommend that since you speak two languages, that one person in the family speaks only one to the child, while the other person speaks only the other. This way, your child will not experience a mingling of the languages that could be confusing.

Answer 3

My son is 19 months old and is currently involved in early intervention. The earliest the local regional center will evaluate for speech/language therapy is at 18 months. He qualified for services and has his first in-home speech therapy appointment this Wednesday. He will have a 50 minute session once weekly. I am anxious to see how it will help too! It can't hurt, so why not call up your local services? It is free also!

Answer 4

I was a kindergarten teacher and let me tell you, if you suspect a speech problem, the earlier you can get him on the right track, the better. Also, there are many programs that are free of charge through the local school district because it is less expensive for the school district to treat and correct the speech problems early than to wait until the children are in school already. (because it gets corrected more quickly) In some cases the speech therapist will come to your home, or you may have to take him to the therapist. Contact your local school district and fight for your child's right to this. It will help him so much in the long run.

Answer 5

I do ! & they are free! The cigarette tax pays for these services. My son is now 3 & had only 3 words & now has over 75! he's been in ST for 7 months. His age level is that of a 5 year old, he's just delayed in speech. DO IT!
early intervention is the key!
The ST comes to OUR home so he feels comfortable.
God bless!

Answer 6

with my first douther I had the same situation,but I didn't get that advise from her pediatrician..well the problems started when she started kindergarden..she just got so behind. and part of the problem was that she had an ear infection for almost half of the school year..so she couldn't hear her sounds.the teacher wanted to held her back,but I said no..I promissed to help her more..so I did..summers she was working with work books,I had computer learning games..but she always had a hard time. first grade came she was behin still didn't know her sounds..or her numbers..She would get so frustruated ..she refused to learn..she didn't want to work with me anyways I finally talk to the teacher in may.I was thinking my child had a learning disability..she said there was testing available,but she couln't give me much info..so that same day I called my pediatrician told her my situation..an we started testing my doughters eyes hearing and finally I took her to a sphycologist so she could get tested..two days of questions for me an my dougther. this test can also be done throuhg the school but it takes a while..It's free but they take their time. I did all this before the summer ended..when the new school year came we had all the testing done and my doughter started getting the extra help she needed..now in second grade she is reading to me and brings home 100% in spelling..but anyways if I would have know about the early intervention program with my douther she would of had an easyer time in the biggining. now with my son(3yr old) I got smart and asked for early intervention..he is getting services right now. so please just get him tested..is difficult when there is two languages involve.

Answer 7

We did for my son, and we had a good experience with it. They came to our home and evaluated all areas of his development. So in addition to speech therapy, he also ended up qualifying for physical therapy for his fine motor skills. Depending on your child's need, they determine how often they need to come - for my son it was once a week for an hour. They also give you tips that you can do during the rest of the week to help with his speech.

I would recommend having him evaluated.... but I have also heard that children in bilingual homes tend to speak later. But it never hurts to have the evaluation. good luck!

Answer 8

I think it is worth a try. It never hurts to try something that might improve your sons language.