fill me in

Amanda - posted on 05/20/2009

I think your first step would be to bring it up to her pediatrician. They could help you find out whether or not to contact early intervention or the local school system for help. My son didn't receive early intervention until right before his 3rd b-day. His former pedi told us that he'd talk when he was ready. At almost 3 we were told that he had the equivalent of a 8-12 month old in his speech. He was diagnosed with dyspraxia later on. When my youngest just turned 2 he was also having speech problems, though not as severe as the older child. I didn't wait this time. He's now doing speech therapy at home. The sad part is that many of our family members thought we were over reacting with the baby's speech even though we'd been through it before. They shut there mouth when he was found eligable for speech therapy. Don't give up as frustrating as it can be sometimes. There is help out there.

Sarah - posted on 04/03/2009

I am not sure that your grandaughter is still young enough for early intervention. In my state they age out of that program at 3 years old.



My son was like Carol Ushers daughter...He only said 10 words at 2 years old. I knew there was something wrong at 18 months old, but was told to give him time ( because boys talk later, etc). AT 2 years old I knew there was an issue and persued EI for help. By 2 1/2 he was speaking in full sentences, and at age 3 we were not sure he would qualify for special needs preschool, but he did.



It was kind of funny, but the SLP was telling me after seeing him for a month "I really think he has apraxia or aphasia"...and her therapy tools of choice were from the Kauffman apraxia series. She did a formal apraxia test after 7 months of therapy, and he scored in the severe range.



Apraxia is what they call a motor planning delay. They have trouble getting thier lips and tongue to move the way they need them to so they can say the words. My son has trouble moving his tongue up and down and from side to side. He also has trouble doing things like puckering up to make a W sound.

Teresa - posted on 02/05/2009

My daughter had the same thing. I had her tested and she qualified for a speech delay. After working with the speech therapists, she was making very little improvement. Then, Audrey was diagnosed with apraxia of speech. And it became very clear how hard she would need to work and how har we would work together as a family to help her out. it took a lot of encouragement and today she is making the conection. The longer you wait, the harder she will struggle. Atleast, contact early intervention in your area and get her evaluated. She may not qualify, but then she might and you will see all the difference in the world. Some kids talk later, and some kids develop on the own, I heard all the excuses, but I followed my gut. It home when she was prediagnosed with apraxia, and that made the difference because she qualified for more speech services, and we knew what we had to do. My mom sees the difference now, and my Dad sees the difference now, but they thought we were taking Audrey's speech way too serious and told me to relax and let her go. Well, here we are 2 years later, and they finally admit that she needed the help, and that she would not be where she is today. So, please take all of this into consideration. Earlier is better than later.

Carol - posted on 02/04/2009

My daughter had speech delays.  She was 2 and said only 10 words. Most of the words were not even whole words. She was assessed by Early Childhood Intervention. They worked with her for a year. They came to our house once a week. By 2 1/2 she was speaking in 10 word sentences. Not typical, but ECI was fantastic.

By the way I am also a nurse.