Does anyone else's SPD child have a speech delay?

Ashley - posted on 04/19/2011

My almost 3 year old technically has been diagnosed with Autism, but that was done by a very proactive developmental pediatrician who wanted us to be able to hit him hard with as much therapy as possible and then revisit the diagnosis at a later date. SPD and autism are VERY similar, his OT and I actually think it might be just straight SPD. We discussed it a few weeks ago and decided that, outside of our normal speech and OT sessions, I would put all of my focus on his sensory issues. She said that, as far as he's concerned, there is no such thing as too much.



And let me tell you...he's made more progress in the last month than he has in a year and a half of therapy, including gaining 2 new words. Before, he'd master one task, just to prove that he could do it, and then we'd never see him do it again. Or he'd do something when it was just the two of us, but not around anyone else. Now he's retaining and consistent with the progress he's been making.



Sign language wasn't successful with my son either, we actively worked on it with him for a year, but he couldn't do it because of his motor planning problem (which are caused by SPD). He has been much more successful with PECS, which we modified and let him work up to the proper execution of it in his own time.



I highly recommend the book The Out of Sync Child, and the sequel The Out of Sync Child has Fun. It's all about Sensory Processing Disorder, the sequel has activities that are specifically for it. There's also a Facebook page called "No Time For Flashcards" that has ideas for sensory activities. Look into joint compression and Wilbur Brushing Protocol as well, they are great therapeutic techniques for sensory issues.

Michelle - posted on 11/04/2010

My 2 year old has not been formally diagnosed with anything yet. I suspect Autism and/or SPD. She does not talk and definitely has sensory issues. I feel lost. One day I think for sure it is Autism, and then the next day I think "no way is she Autistic".

Heidi - posted on 02/02/2013

My son just turned three an he hasn't come close to speaking...he will say a word once or twice..but that will be it. I've worried and worried. For 2years and I'm done worrying. He has been in ot and speech therapy for about nine months... I kept having this feeling of dread for everyday my child was not normal...I let go...he communicates everything he needs and wynts, just not by talking. And he's able to learn everything else...just not speaking.. there's physical communication that we use to talk. he may not be ready for school...he may not talk... but he can use this tablet I'm typing on just as good...loves numbers and alphabet.. and puzzles. And is fascinated by drawing and thomas the train. I count my blessings everyday and those are just a few. If he's going to talk it will be when he's ready

Sarah - posted on 08/24/2010

My son first started early intervention for speech at 18 months, he is now 5 1/2 and just finished speech therapy. He has severe SPD. He's a tactile and aditory avoider, and proprioceptive and vestibular seeker. He also can't deal with crowds. He has a social emotional delay and adhd. I think that his speech and s/e delay have a lot to do with his spd, he just doesn't want to socialize becasue he can't stand being near people. Some kids with SPD have a lot of characteristics of Autism. That was our first intinct, bot so far no asd dx.

Lisa - posted on 10/14/2012

My 4 1/2 year old son is a sensory seeker and has major speech and language delays. He has been in therapy since age 16 months so we have been in this for a very long time. There are a few things I suggest that helped my son immensely: 1) Take gluten and dairy (and maybe soy as well) out of his diet- we did it all at once but you can do it one at a time. We saw a drastic improvement in his sensory issues once we did that 2) See a developmental pediatrician and/or a biomedical nutritionist to get a grasp on what if any nutrients/vitamins may be missing because that has a huge effect on both of these issues 3) check out a product called Nutriiveda (original formula)- it's a food based dietary supplement that I discovered through an apraxia yahoo group and it's done wonders for my son's speech and finally 4) check out cranio sacral/brain therapy- you can find someone in your area here www.upledger.com - it really has been a miracle for my son. All of these things together, really help- his speech is slowly but surely getting there and his sensory issues are going away. Good luck, Lisa Gilinsky

Karlieholt - posted on 08/18/2016

My son is 2 1/2 And says 4 words and has a sensory issue with his talking also!

Fionadowner60 - posted on 11/11/2015

I do my grandsons 3 half got speech probably and sensory issue

Jami - posted on 02/19/2013

Kim - regarding signs and his age - as a former special educ. teacher, you must consider whether he has the fine motor ability and cognitve skills to learn new signs. Sign language is often difficult for children that may have weaknesses in either. If signs have been challenging for him to learn, I would definititely work with pictures. His understanding of language is most likely much better than his ability to use language. PECS or Picture Exchange Communication System may be used and use of pictures can also prepare a child for using an ipad to communicate, if needed. Pairing pictures with verbal output (either by pairing it with your words or a voice output system) is important. He may gain language, and decrease his frustration much soon with whichever avenue is easiest for him to learn. If he struggles with both signs and pictures, I would have him evaluated by a Neurologist for developmental delays.

Janet - posted on 02/15/2013

Yes my son did. he was first diagnosed with.. dyspraxia. Later we got dx of Asperger's. He's 16 now and coming along better. When he was your son's age...i just wanted him to be able to talk to us and clearly. Now we can'tto get him to hush. It's what he says and his volume he still works on in speech.

Kristi - posted on 10/25/2012

Hi,

Yes! My son has a speech and language delay, and a possible social/emotional one as well, but no "official" diagnosis, either, other than those. It is frustrating but I try and not worry about it as really, all a diagnosis does is help us learn what to accept. So for now, we're focusing on building his language through speech therapy and ABA. I blog about this very thing - if you're interested, please come check me out at http://www.findingninee.com

The thing that is great about ABA is that they have to try to say a word to get what they want. Even if it's just "o" for open, that's a start. My son would always just say "this" if I said open. Now he's making an effort, after about 2 months using ABA.

Good luck. And yes, it's really frustrating :( Hang in there.

Summer - posted on 10/19/2012

My son does he started speech therapy at 18months and was diagnosed with spd around 20 months he is now almost 6 and talks pretty well but still receives speech through school

Monica Medrano - posted on 10/16/2012

Go to a developemental pediatrician they will give you a official diagnosis. From there you will be reffered to speech and whatever the ped feels he needs. You might hear some things you dont want to hear, because I went though this exactly but in time you will learn that they will communicate and everything will be fine. Its frustrating you want your child to talk to you...I have been there...and used to cry silently because i would ask are you hungry and he would just look at me and grab a bag of chips and start biting through the bag. Now im very proud because you ask him now..and he will say yes. Dont worry pray hard and look at the postive.



http://abelsmomfight.blogspot.com/

Tasia - posted on 10/13/2012

My son is going to be 3 and he too has a speech delay, we have been working with speech therapists and occupational therapists, but still very little progress. Occupational therapist suggested gluten free products to calm his nervous system, and to change his milk. but now he is refusing to eat or drink anything. i am afraid he will get really sick. Does anyone know what foods I may want to try to get him to eat. He does have SPD, and just recently got diagnosed. Before this I haven't ever heard of this. So I am new and eagerly willing to learn everything I can. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Dawn - posted on 09/24/2012

Oh my gosh, yes. My 3 year old SPD son, has a speech delay that is constantly being evaluated by his early interventionalist and a speech therapist. Just the other day, I thought he said he wanted to go to Walmart, but no.....it was something about a lawnmower. Go figure. I do try to be thankful for what speech he does have though and the help he recieves. Speech therapy can take a really long time to improve the delay, hang in there.

Leslie - posted on 09/14/2012

I know that this was posted over 2 years ago but I am now dealing with my almost 3 year old speech delayed child . I believe he has SID . Is there hope for the future ? I am so heartbroken !!

Amy - posted on 11/11/2011

Well Kim, thanks 4 the update and am glad things are working out 4 u. God bless.

Bridget - posted on 11/06/2011

My little girl has SPD and she has a speech delay. She really didn't talk till she was three. I know it can be frustrating but i'm sure he will come around eventually. Good luck :)

Cyndi - posted on 09/29/2011

Yes, my daughter has SPD and speech apraxia. We started with sign language first, then slowly working in real words. She didn't say anything that we could understand until about 3 yrs

Kim - posted on 07/24/2011

Wow.. its good to know that I am not the only one with this going on. Thought that I would give an update. Nathan my 5 year old now, does not talk after now being 2 yrs with SP and currently has no SP as there is none in my local hospital. Nathan started using PECS to communicate and has been diagnosed as ASD and has such severe sensory issues that he is the most severe that my OT has seen in over 20years. We started the Bechman for the muscles in his face so he can be evaulated as he has poor muscle tone in the face. Two weeks ago, Nathan started babbling and saying a couple of words..ie.. mom,ya,up. We are soo excited because we had come to terms with the fact that he may never speak and he started! Good luck everyone!

Kim - posted on 07/24/2011

Wow.. its good to know that I am not the only one with this going on. Thought that I would give an update. Nathan my 5 year old now, does not talk after now being 2 yrs with SP and currently has no SP as there is none in my local hospital. Nathan started using PECS to communicate and has been diagnosed as ASD and has such severe sensory issues that he is the most severe that my OT has seen in over 20years. We started the Bechman for the muscles in his face so he can be evaulated as he has poor muscle tone in the face. Two weeks ago, Nathan started babbling and saying a couple of words..ie.. mom,ya,up. We are soo excited because we had come to terms with the fact that he may never speak and he started! Good luck everyone!

Amy - posted on 07/23/2011

Maria, your OT specialist is the first person to speak to regarding your concerns because a sensory profile checklist would be handed to you to be filled out and returned for a report to come up. If anything hits as continuous, then the specialist would work on the childs problem areas. Then, make sure you keep copies of all the evals over time or so and ask your pediatrician for a referal to a pediatric developmental specialist. My 7 yr old son was said to have PDD around 4, yet over time was misdiagnosed and I believe it was due to the fact of his ability to communicate since he had Childhood apraxia of speech. Best of luck.

Michelle - posted on 07/22/2011

We're waiting on an official diagnosis still but my son does have a speech delay. We've been working with a speech therapist but we've had some difficulties because of his sensory motor issues. It was actually the speech therapist who really brought his sensory motor problems to our attention. Things have been getting better finally now that we're addressing the sensory motor issues as well. I haven't been able to get an official diagnosis through the county as of yet. They have been trying to push me into changing him to another preschool and he's been evaluated by several people with the county who apparently aren't allowed to do anything more then a consultation even if we switch him. At this point I'm ready to blow off the county and track down our own OT or someone that will commit to a diagnosis and help us. Our speech therapist is wonderful since she has lots of experience with SPD kids.

Maria - posted on 07/22/2011

Many of you are talking about how your children have been diagnosed with SPD and I was wondering who made the diagnosis. The reason I am asking is because my son is 2 years 9 months and was just diagnosed with mild pdd. I am receiving speech and OT for him throughout the summer and will be transitioning into a special education pre-school where he will receive his therapy starting in Sept. My son definitely has sensory issues (sensory seeking) and the OT is working with him on that. I too have heard that speech delays and SPD go hand in hand. I wish I could know for sure if it is SPD because I feel that he would receive more OT and the pre-schools would treat the OT sessions for a sensory disorder. Any advise?

Amy - posted on 05/25/2011

My son is almost three and has SPD and has been "diagnosed" with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. He cannot get a definate diagnosis because of his age but they have started him with Speech therapy using a curriculum for apraxia. I specifically requested it because in my research I found that if not treated correctly and frequently and at the earliest possible age some CAS children NEVER learn to speak. I have several websites that give some very good info on CAS. I knew Jacob was delayed due to no sound or word for his sister who is his primary playmate, his high-activity level resulting in hearing "NO" constantly but he didn't say no. (What toddler doesn't say "no"?) And several other indicators. My mother-in-law and other family said I was crazy but when they found out the diagnosis I became a hero for picking up on these things. He was my fourth and had he been my first I never would have noticed something wasn't right.
Amy

Schyla - posted on 05/15/2011

My 5 year old with SPD had been in speech for 3 years she's grown by leaps and bounds but that was after we switched therapists. perhaps your LO needs to see a new therapist.
PS sorry if that's been addressed already I haven't read all of the other posts

[deleted account]

Thank you so much Ashley, I'll check the library if they don't have it do you think coles would carry it?

Ashley - posted on 05/01/2011

Kaleigh, while you're waiting for a sensory program, check out the book The Out of Sync Child and the sequel, The Out of Sync Child Has Fun. Both are great resources for SPD and can give you ideas of things to do with him until you get therapy straightened out.

[deleted account]

My 3 year old son was diagnosed recently with ASD, they did an assessment and it's pretty obvious he has sensory dysfunction as well we're on the waitlist for a sensory program right now. And yes he's had a speech delay though they think he has that echolalia thing so it's kind of difficult because one day he can't even get out the word mommy and another he's whipping out full sentences at you.

Ashley - posted on 04/20/2011

PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. Basically, we have pictures of different things (diaper, book, bubbles, sippy cup, etc), he has to use the pictures to indicate what he wants. They're supposed to be able to pick out the picture that shows what they want and hand it to someone. We did modify it to accomodate for his motor planning: we started with bubbles (one of his favorite activities) and accepted it if he made the conscious effort to look at the picture and then look at the bottle of bubbles. Then we progressed to touching the picture. He progressed from that on his own, he can pick out what he wants and at least try to hand it to someone.

I get all of our pictures from do2learn.com, you can print them for free, we also laminated them.

Alisha - posted on 04/20/2011

Ashley, my son had the same problem learning sign language. He could only learn (and still signs) more but he uses it for every context: eating, wanting to go outside, for objects, etc. You mentioned your son was more successful with PECS... what is that?

Alisha - posted on 04/19/2011

I'm in the same boat with Tabitha... my son's speech was the 1st thing we noticed. It was quite strange, he actually regressed from the time he was 1 year to 18 months. We started him with speech therapy in July. He did well at first and then started to plateau. That's when we started to piece together everything else he does (tactile, consistently runs, never walks, jumps hard, is rough, chokes easily, hoards food and so much more) to get his supposive diagnosis. He is 2 &1/2 and he has a 4-5 word vocabulary but even that isn't consistent. Recently we were given the possible diagnosis of proprioceptive dysfunction/dyspraxia from his special instructor and OT. We are going to the neurologist Thursday to see what she has to say.

Alisha - posted on 04/19/2011

I'm in the same boat with Tabitha... my son's speech was the 1st thing we noticed. It was quite strange, he actually regressed from the time he was 1 year to 18 months. We started him with speech therapy in July. He did well at first and then started to plateau. That's when we started to piece together everything else he does (tactile, consistently runs, never walks, jumps hard, is rough, chokes easily, hoards food and so much more) to get his supposive diagnosis. He is 2 &1/2 and he has a 4-5 word vocabulary but even that isn't consistent. Recently we were given the possible diagnosis of proprioceptive dysfunction/dyspraxia from his special instructor and OT. We are going to the neurologist Thursday to see what she has to say.

Katie - posted on 02/09/2011

My son is a Sensory seeker and also has a speech delay. He is now 22 months and we have had him in a therapy preschool since 18 months. they have speech pathologist, occupational therapist and phisical therapist that work with the kids in different activities every day. He has flourished! We didnt know he had a sensory processing disorder until we started with the occupational therapist. He has learning many communication skills in it and frustration levels have gone way down.

Corissa - posted on 02/01/2011

My daughter is 19 months and yes she also has speech delay. She was just recently diagnosed with SPD and is also going for further testing March 1 to find out the final diagnosis for what else she has. Alot of people including myself think she also has Autism spectrum disorder. I have also had her nurse that came out to the house that also mentioned this.

[deleted account]

My son is 2 and has SPD. He gets therapy 3x a week. His therapist has said that most kids w/ SPD also have a speech delay. She said the 2 go hand in hand most of the time. We do some simple sign language w/ our son and sometimes that helps kids w/ SPD communicate when words aren't used. It's a tough road, perhaps your son would benefit from other therapeutic services that the early intervention services in your area may offer. He may do better working w/ a behaviorist, occupational therapist, or special instructor.

Theresa - posted on 01/02/2011

Yes. My 20 month old daughter who has SPD which they have given her the diagnosis..Sensory Modulation Disorder/ undersensitive(sorry don't know the correct words to use) . She receives OT and DT once a week. She only speaks a few words when she wants to..not on cue. She babbles a lot, but no one really understands her..her own little language. What I wanted to tell you is her therapists have been teaching her basic signs (sign language) so she doesn't feel so overwhelmed and can somewhat communicate to us.. It has helped tremendously and I am somewhat less fustrated with her trying to figure out what she wants. We are in the process now of getting her a Speech Pathologist for her..but they are in high demand. I have been told that is takes a child with Sensory Processing Disorder longer to talk words because of the senses working together..the forming of the language. I hope this somewhat helps..I know your child is older..but maybe try some simple signs so you won't feel so overwhelmed.

Amy - posted on 12/23/2010

My 5 yr old daughter is delayed. She has had theropy since 2 for speech/language and motor skills. My daughter is believed to have SPD, and still in OT & ST, but no longer in PT. It is frustrating, but some advise is that it will take some time for articulation to produce. Speech pathologist not only work on articulation but language as well by testing and scoring to see where your child falls in the bracket of what is understood and expressed. My daughter even with the therapy, still falls at 1 yr behind. Ask for the evaluations and records

as well that have been done for your records and knowledge of what's been goin on. Language takes time, but what might help would be the PECS system for your child to communicate with you. Visual cues as one might say. It helps me with my youngest who is 3 with a speech delay.(All 3 of my children have have issues with speech and language.) Best of luck.

[deleted account]

I also have the same problem. My son is only 2 and has not been officially diagnosed. He is only saying about 4 words. I had a similar problem with my now 6 year old son who is not diagnosed either. He had his own language until he was about 5. I read that speech delay is common in spd

Summer - posted on 10/04/2010

my 4yr old has speech delay also that is what i notice first and started EI at 18 months he still dosnt talk as much as i would like and i can still only understand about 50% of what he is saying..

Andrea - posted on 09/23/2010

WOW! About the whole OT thing. I would find a new OT because in my opinion, they are miracle workers. Both my sons have started talking like crazy since they have been in OT. My youngest with SPD is 2.5 and we are going to start working with Birth to Three Intervention with Communication. We are also going to work on Socialization before he starts preschool in March/April. Good Luck! Let us know if you need anything. I know how stressful it is.

Kim - posted on 09/21/2010

Ya my son goes to OT almost every week but they are slowing down because there are other kids apparently that need to be seen. His Speech Pathologist said he hasnt progressed any in a year :( We were going every week but have since slowed down because i had a baby. We tried signing but he really didnt pick it up. Maybe like 3-4 signs in a year which isnt much progress. He is fustrated but we are more fustrated because he goes and gets what he wants and doesnt ask and he is constantly getting into stuff and some of it is dangerous. We are trying to get him tested for autism or something but apparently he is too developmently behind to be tested. Very fustrated!

Lynn - posted on 09/21/2010

OT might also be a good idea to look into!

Lynn - posted on 09/21/2010

My 9 year old SPD son was speech delayed, but we never had any therapy for it. He said a handful of words and we also did sign language with him from the time he was about 1 year old or so. He was my first and I knew that boys are often later talkers than girls. My nephew who is 2 years older than my son didn't say much (that anyone could understand) until after his 3rd birthday, so I thought it was normal (Aside: I still think my nephew has some SPD symptoms but nothing was ever diagnosed). My son had a language spurt about 3 1/2 years old and was mostly caught up by the time he was in Kindergarten. He wasn't diagnosed with SPD until 6 years old.

What does the speech pathologist say about his progress? Is your son frustrated by not being able to communicate? Have you tried some basic sign language so he can at least get his needs across? Good luck!!

Shelley - posted on 09/06/2010

I just had my sons speech tested a couple of months ago his receptive speech is severe which came as a surprise because he talks alot & sings alot of songs ect but its all mimicked & by memory. His behavior is really awful & very frusterating & now that we know about the speech I am hoping that things can only get better. He is 3.5 & in a 5 day a wk special needs preschool that will address everything .

Andrea - posted on 08/01/2010

my son has SPD and is 2.5 (one of two SPD children) and he has some speech problems but doesnt qualify for speech therapy...but he also has a submucous cleft palate...ever since we started OT a few months ago he has gotten easier to understand...good luck and stay strong!

Kim - posted on 07/27/2010

We have been going to the pediatrican and she is doing a MRI, EEG and blood work on the 11th.. soo worried :S We were doing the sign language and he understands but he barely ever does them. He will sign when he really wants something. He learned 3 in a year and doesnt use them consistantly. The picture choice is something that the speech therapist has been discussing but the other half is not sure about it because we spent soo much time on something that hasnt worked and is discouraging. I wonder if he will ever talk :( He loves books. We read to him all the time. We are going through the massive amount of tantrums now so it is fustrating. It feels like no one knows much about SPD around here and is talking a longtime to get testing.

Armanda - posted on 07/20/2010

My son is 2 1/2 and had speech delays. We got him speech therapy through the early intervention program, and his language just took off! Now he is just seeing the speech therapist to work on some feeding issues. If you have not had any progress for almost a year, I would suggest trying a new speech therapist, or revisiting the pediatrician. Have you tried using sign language, or picture choice cards? They really helped my son to communicate in the beginning, and he had less tantrums/ frustration. Does he like books? Maybe try signing him up for a library story time at you local library, that can also be helpful. I hope this helps, and I wish you luck!

Tabatha - posted on 07/15/2010

My son's speech delay was the thing we noticed first. He didn't say his first word until after he turned two. He has been in speech for two years and has benefitted greatly, but the beginning was rough. He would scream and grunt to get things and not even try to talk. At therapy, we would sit the whole hour and he wouldn't make a sound. I am thankful for how far we've come. He didn't get his SPD diagnosis until this year, so we have had therapy for that since April.
I don't know if that was helpful, but at least you know you are not alone. If you would like to have any details of what worked/didn't just let me know. Stay strong!

Sandy - posted on 07/14/2010

My twins had a speech delay. They have been in speech therapy for 3 years, started only saying a few words also. They are 6 and I Can't get them to be quiet now. My twins, however, also have Autism and PDD-NOS, which usually have speech delays.