Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments

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Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« on: October 08, 2006, 11:43:06 PM » by a_new_creation

My ds will be 4 in November. My mil is concerned about his speech. He did not start talking until age 2 (though he started signing at 10mo and had quite the vocabulary in sign language). Many people can't understand him very well (including mil) though my dh and I and his almost-2yo sister usually can because we are around him all the time and know what he has seen/experienced recently. He is definitely better than he was 6mo ago and is always adding new vocabulary, it's just his articulation is not that great.

I have had several nephews that articulated poorly until they were 5/6 years old, so I am not worried. But I was wondering if anyone knew of good books/resources where I could learn some speech exercises to use w/ him. My mil was questioning whether he has autism, but he is way too interactive and social (from what I have been reading about autism).

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2006, 12:01:15 AM » by miff aka Missi

There was some discussion about speech development on another thread. I'm sure you'll get some advice here, but you could look at this link also.
http://welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,561.msg3491.html#msg3491

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2006, 03:19:32 AM » by bethj

Hello a_new_creation!
If you are only concerned about your child's articulation, I would definitely not be concerned about autism. Articulation difficulty is not a red flag for autism. Due to my profession, it would be unethical for me to give any advice in a forum like this but I will say that by age 5, though some sound errors may still be present, a child with normal developing speech (i.e., sounds, not words/vocabulary) should be 100% "understandable" to listeners. This norm may give you a gauge as to where you think your child is at 4. Hope this is of some help!

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2006, 05:37:33 AM » by mykidsmom

A good friend's daughter had speech issues and the therapist used to make her drink only from straws and chew gum to strengthen the muscles in her mouth. Hers ended up being a "lazy" muscle issue and the exercises fixed it. You could start with those two simple things and see if it helps. I know she had to do them for a year at least. Also, I'd use gum with xylitol in it if you can.

Patti

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2006, 08:16:58 AM » by a_new_creation

Thanks for the link to the other thread. I think his hearing is fine (it's amazing what he can hear). I will try the straw thing, he loves them! I might also check out NATHAAN. My ds talks all the time, it's just an articulation problem. His little sister says a lot of words better than he does. Sometimes when he is talking to others he gets excited and enunciates worse than usual.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2006, 12:11:16 AM » by jbug

HI,
My son didn't start talking understandably til about 3. We had his hearing tested and had his speech evaluated. When evaluated his speech was at 12-18 mos when he was 24-28 months old, but his gross and fine motor skills were at 36 months. Boys are different!!! And if you have a girl first the saying goes that you think your second born son is an idiot (IQ wise). Anyway, he is 5 now and talking better than most of his peers and those older than him. We never intervened, he just started talking one day and now talks SO MUCH he just never stops

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2006, 01:08:58 AM » by SC

There are a lot of differing opinions on this subject. I'll just preface my comments by saying that we taught our little ones sign language as infants as a way of teaching them how to use language and communicate without frustration (before they had developed speech). It worked great with them until our youngest was born.

We were planning to do the same thing. But, we were fortunate enough to learn that this little guy had the potential for speech delay. When he was still an infant, a professional neurodevelopmentalist (with over 30 years experience and cutting edge techniques) told us to not use sign language under any circumstances with this child. It seemed like a cruel direction. So I questioned the approach.

He told me that my son may have oral motor issues down the line. This means that he might have difficulty moving the multitude of muscles that must be used in order to form speech. In a child with this problem, signing becomes the path of least resistance. Said another way, it's just easier to move your hands than learn the intricacies of speech.

"But," I protested, "Won't that create frustration and lead to tantrums? What happens if he is able to understand us, but we can't understand him? It seems cruel."

The explanation I received is that in a loving home environment, this is just the type of frustration a child will need to WORK at learning to make those muscles move. He has no alternative but to LEARN how to speak.

Was it frustrating? Yes, for me and for him at times. Did we doubt our choice? Yes, many times.

But, guess what? Our son now speaks. He even uses short, spontaneous, 3 word sentences. His speech therapist thought we were nuts when we told her not to use sign language with him. Guess what she said to me last week?

"I had never heard of this approach before, but the proof is in the pudding. You guys were right. It works. I've decided to use it with my other clients. I've got a 7 year old that just doesn't HAVE to talk because he can sign. I'm going to tell his mother about your son."

Your guy already knows sign. Along with the mouth exercises, you might just want to "forget" what all those signs mean. Brace yourself for a few frustrating weeks, paste on a smile (or tattoo it on), and start with nouns, "please," and "thankyou." He'll think you've gone crazy to not respond to him when he signs. He'll yell louder when you pretend not to understand unclear speech. He'll think you're mean. He'll get really mad. And then . . . he'll start talking, and talking, and talking, and talking. And you'll wonder what you ever worried about and just WHY did you teach him how to talk? LOL Grin

Just my $.02

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2006, 08:34:54 AM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: SC on October 10, 2006, 01:08:58 AM

Said another way, it's just easier to move your hands than learn the intricacies of speech.

Thanks, SC, I was about to post a question about this very thing.

A friend of mine taught her son some baby sign-language, and then he refused to talk. He would use his hands and sound-effects, instead of words. She was blaming sign-language for his speech difficulties.

You verified my gut feeling about the situation, he was having more fun/easier time with sign language than twisting his mouth around the words.

Sharon

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2006, 09:52:08 AM » by KeepItSimple

I know our oldest son didn't start talking until about the age of 2 and never talked much until he got into school. Our oldest daughter was the only one who knew what he was saying 100% of the time for about 3 years. We understood most of what he said, but he did not enunciate as well. To be honest with you, it never really was a concern for us. If everything else seems 'normal' then I wouldn't be terribly concerned. Just read, read, read to him and have him repeat certain words for you. I miss the days of our kids 'funny' words.

Lets see...the garbage can was the 'crash can', you watched movies at a 'moviater', you drank 'root beard' on special occassions at a 'restrunk'. Oh, there were so many more...but like I said, his enunciating finally caught up to 'normal'...and he is an avid reader now!

Blessings,
Camille

« Last Edit: October 11, 2006, 09:36:55 AM by KeepItSimple »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2006, 12:18:05 PM » by bethj

Just wanted to add to the discussion of benefits (or not) of using sign language with young children who are not yet speaking. I have been involved in providing language therapy to young children using this method- some with otherwise normal development and others with accompanying developmental delays or disorders. I love this method and think it is a great tool for parents to use with their children. I am of the understanding that children do not speak certain words because they are not yet able or ready to do so- whether they be late-talkers or whatever (expressive and receptive language are controlled in different parts of the brain). However, every child is different and learns language at a different pace. Unfortunately, things are not always black and white when it comes to speech and language development. But for the children who are late-talkers or for whatever reason not yet speaking or behind in the use of words, signing provides them with a way to communicate and express their wants and needs. This is so important. Parents can still encourage their child to speak while allowing them to use sign language. And if a child is not speaking because they are relying on sign language as a crutch, I think this would be the exception rather than the norm. If a child can talk, he/she is going to talk! Here is just one study that showed that sign language does not hamper verbal development. It fact, may even encourage it!! Just my .02 Grin

reference: [Goodwyn, S., Acredolo, L., & Brown, C. (2000). Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 24, 83-103.]

link: http://www.babysigns.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/institute.language_development_study/language_development_study.cfm

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2006, 12:51:53 PM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: bethj on October 10, 2006, 12:18:05 PM

Parents can still encourage their child to speak while allowing them to use sign language. And if a child is not speaking because they are relying on sign language as a crutch, I think this would be the exception rather than the norm.

bethj,
I agree with you. Maybe I should have explained more about the situation. The mother blamed sign-language, but the father believed it was the lack of encouragement to speak correctly. So, it was the case of what SC described, "the path of least resistance" for the child to sign.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2006, 01:55:22 PM » by a_new_creation

Our ds did not even try to talk until he was 2. We started to question whether teaching him sign language had been a bad idea even though it was soooo nice to be able to communicate w/ him (the crutch idea). Then right when he hit 2, he started talking and won't stop now.

We still use sign language for when we need to communicate silently (like in church) or if he is in the middle of drinking something and can't use his mouth. But that's it. We started teaching our dd sign language too but she tried to talk much earlier and it was never a big thing w/ her. She still knows many of the signs which is useful. I am pg w/ #3 now and we will teach this one sign language.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2006, 01:58:31 PM » by SC

The following is a quote from the
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT
1999, Volume 12, No. 1
Language Acquisition in Children with Down Syndrome
The significance of auditory function and the developmental costs of teaching signing or "Total Communication"
by Robert J. Doman Jr.

You can access the entire article at http://www.nacd.org/more_information/journal/article13.html

Quote

Signing or Whole Word approaches adversely affect normal development. The primary input that drives the development of auditory tonal and sequential development is the processing of language. Listening to and trying to process speech is the primary input that drives a child's development of auditory tonal and sequential processing. If we establish a means of primarily visual communication, the child will "tune out" spoken language, and lose this very critical input. It is argued that with a Total Communication approach the child is hearing the word as well as seeing the sign. The reality is that all young children are primarily visual learners, not just DS children, and that everyone concentrates on whatever works best. When you simultaneously sign and speak, the visual input far outweighs the auditory. This dramatically reduces the intensity of the auditory input, thus decreasing its effect upon the brain. One future complication involves the development of the articulation. A child who is intently trying to understand what you are saying will closely watch your mouth and will often mimic your actual tongue and lip movements. If a child is watching your hands, they are not watching your mouth. And if they are communicating via signing, they are not so frustrated anymore. But frustration is what drives development.

All theory aside, I have worked with many thousands of DS children over many years. The families that I work with come to me having utilized all manners of treatments. I have no vested interest in using or not using signs or any other technique for that matter. We use and recommend thousands of techniques. My interest is only in finding out what works and preferably what works best.

My experience has been that those children who use signs, particularly those who go beyond a very few rudimentary ones, are significantly more delayed in their language function than children with similar basic function who do not use signs. I have also seen that some children's auditory tonal processing, auditory sequential processing, speech and language development are irretrievably harmed. But, the primary concern and dialogue should not be directed toward signs or no signs, but toward putting the necessary pieces together so as to accelerate the language development in our DS children and avoid the need for such alternative means of communication.

The rate at which a specific child's speech and language develop is determined by a combination of factors. Slow or delayed development does not reflect low potential. However, we must address the specific neuro-motor and neurodevelopmental needs of the child. Otherwise the child will probably not get the opportunity to develop fully and realize his or her potential.

We have learned a tremendous amount in the last few years about the development of speech and language. In just the past year, some very significant tools have been created which will have a dramatic impact on our children. Do not compromise. Work hard to provide the children with every possible advantage. "Normal" is not an unrealistic goal.

For the record, I will tell you again that I was one of those parents that had used sign language successfully in the past. Total communication works well with children that have no difficulties with language development. However, in children that experience delays, sign language can (and I have seen it) cause further delays.

The bottom line is that the PARENT is the expert on his or her child -- not the therapist. You'll have to evaluate your own child's needs and your goals for him/her and then choose the appropriate course of action.

We did and have reaped the rewards.

A final word about NACD. They are an international secular organization with experience treating thousands of children and adults with brain function issues over the past 30 years. Their goal is to achieve normal function with all of their clients, and they work towards that end. I've examined the product of their methods and find that it is far superior to that which can be had by utilizing the limited scope and reach of local practitioners. We are no longer clients of this organization, but continue to reap the benefits of all that they taught us. In turn, we have been able to help local therapists reevaluate what they were taught themselves.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2006, 02:13:24 PM » by Livelovely

I am a retired speech language pathologist if you want some feedback or info pm me.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2006, 04:42:11 PM » by a_new_creation

This is interesting. Do you think the sex of the child has something to do w/ whether signing is likely to become a crutch? I know it is a stereotype, but girls generally are better w/ language than boys so therefore it might be more of a problem w/ boys. It worked out that way in my family (immediate and extended -- I have lots of nieces and nephews).

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2006, 04:59:56 PM » by SC

I've only mothered boys and all but one were early talkers. In the one, the issue had to do with learning the mechanics of speaking. We had already addressed hearing and diet. He also had great receptive language -- actually, his receptive language was advanced for his age. He could read at 15 months.

IMO it all has to do with the individual needs of the child. If your child has issues with being able to form words, I would consider not using sign language. If it is something else, the information I share wouldn't apply. At any rate, I would be highly skeptical of someone who treated the child's symptoms without regard for the cause. In other words, teaching sign language or not teaching sign language in every case without considering the underlying issue(s) is no different than offering a drug to mask symptoms rather than addressing the disease.

Speech is affected by more than just the physical ability to make noise and enunciate. There are issues regarding muscle tone, diet, environment, emotions, allergies, hearing, ect. My comments were specific to those situations where everything else has been addressed and there is still difficulty for the child in oral muscle control -- which is learned through much practice.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2006, 06:15:59 PM » by bethj

Just to clarify for the readers of this thread. It might be helpful to define speech vs. language. They are very different things. Speech is the physical production of sounds. Language is the use of (i.e., expressive) and understanding of (i.e., receptive) words. We speech-language patholgists sometimes forget that not everyone may separate the two Wink

. When SLPs use signing in therapy, it is to help with language not speech. It is definitely not detrimental to use in all cases of delayed language, because I have seen it help firsthand.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2006, 08:39:34 PM » by a_new_creation

Thanks for clarifying the difference between speech and language. I hadn't really thought about it before but that makes sense. We have a speech problem, not a language problem at all (well, his grammar is not perfect but he's not even 4 yet!). From the very early on we could tell he understood us and signing was just a way for us to understand him.

So, how do you know if the child is going to have problems forming words before you teach him SL? We did notice that he didn't babble as much as we thought he would (he wasn't abnormally quiet, just not a big talker/babbler). Is that an indicator? He was 3 weeks late, 11 pounds, born at home, no vax. I have always been very careful w/ his diet; no sugar, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, etc. I certainly don't want to "deprive" a child of SL if it will be beneficial, not harmful, but I'm not sure how to tell which way it will be. Any insight on that?

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2006, 09:30:58 PM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: a_new_creation on October 08, 2006, 11:43:06 PM

But I was wondering if anyone knew of good books/resources where I could learn some speech exercises to use w/ him.

I had one son that was very hard to understand. He took his time to start talking, and then his words seemed to run together. One day, I noticed that he was saying a playground rhyme that the other children had been using. He was about 3.5 years. He was really taking his time to get his words out correctly. I thought about it for a while, then decided to teach him nursery rhymes. We only ever got to the first one. It was his special rhyme, and he took his time to say it. He would watch my mouth closely when we worked on it together. Then he would go through each word, slowly and clearly. We also repeated mispronounced words correctly, so he could watch us and listen closely.

There are rhymes at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html
I also recommend reading:

NGJ: Beginning with Words
http://tinyurl.com/yv9kpp

NGJ: Breaking the Bondage of Shyness
http://tinyurl.com/237rtb

« Last Edit: March 14, 2008, 12:10:07 PM by his.silly.wife »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #19 on: October 11, 2006, 02:58:58 PM » by SC

Quote from: a_new_creation on October 10, 2006, 08:39:34 PM

I certainly don't want to "deprive" a child of SL if it will be beneficial, not harmful, but I'm not sure how to tell which way it will be. Any insight on that?

My rule of thumb is to err on the side of no SL. If it is deemed beneficial, it is a simple matter to teach sign language later on -- even dogs can learn it. However, if I was not certain whether or not there was a problem with oral muscle tone, I would hold off until I knew this was not the case and work on speech without SL.

My exception would be in the instance where I KNEW that there was a hearing problem. There are tests that can confirm this.

My approach is to pretend I am working with a foreign language student. I enunciate clearly (not exaggerated) and repeat with pauses for the child to repeat what I want him to say. Often, my kiddo will just sit there and take it all in unless I stop and give him a look that requires a response (he knows all the tricks). Also, if I know he can say a word, I don't give him what he wants until he expresses himself in words.

While this is a relentless approach, it will only work in a loving and joyful atmosphere. If it is presented as a matter-of-fact, this-is-the-way-we-live-and-you-are-part-of-our-lives sort of way, it will be successful. If you are angry and impatient or tend towards bullying, your child may be better off learning sign language and just living with delayed speech.

Again, these are my own guidelines. In the end, much depends on the family and the person(s) who are implementing the technique(s). If I know the right therapy that will solve a child's problem, but it is packaged in a form that overwhelms the parent, then it just won't work. The first priority is the family relationship. Overwhelming the parent doesn't help the child. It only produces frustrating events for both the parent and the child. Many times, an overwhelmed parent will just stop trying ANYTHING. Sometimes, you just need to take a break from all therapies for the sake of the family. A prayerful parent will receive that which he or she needs to make the right decision for everyone concerned and the benefit of the child.

If you read something and go, "I don't think that would work for us." You are probably right. It may be the right thing, but your unaddressed concerns will make you a reluctant participant and the child will detect this and respond accordingly. If you are introduced to something and think, "THAT's what I've been thinking (feeling, responding to). That seems to hit all of the points I've been trying to address. I think this may be what we've been looking for." Then I would prayerfully persue that path, especially if you have been asking God for guidance in that area.

Again, the child is entrusted to the parent. If a therapist or I or someone else could offer the child what God wanted them to have, He would have given that child to someone else. Just my $.02 (Sorry for all the mud) Wink

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #20 on: October 11, 2006, 03:58:51 PM » by luvbnamom

I'm in the same boat as you. My oldest Johnston didn't start talking till he was mid-3. I didn't know that my dh didn't start talking until he was 3 and his father was around 4. We let it go. His speech improved and he talked more and more as the time went on. BUT.... about 2 months ago we put him in speech therapy. We can understand him, but no one else can. I stay in the room with him the whole session and then we practice what they work on the following week. After testing him they found that his vocabulary is great, but he has a weak tongue. His tongue goes all over his mouth when he's talking. We worked on it ourselves, but it just came down to it being way over our heads.

Now....our midwife was a disaster with him. Angry

She didn't believe me when I told her I was in labor and kept saying no to me for two weeks. She said she didn't hear it in my voice?!?!? Finally, one week after my due date and being in labor for 3 weeks. (No pain!....Just slight cramps here and there.) I told her that if she didn't come I was going to the hospital. She arrived and found my ds heart rate in the 60s. So she freaked and got me to the hospital. They hooked me up to a machine to monitor the contractions and gave me patocine (sp?). So for the next two hours with a major dose of patocine I had major contractions (which I still did not feel?), but they showed me the charts and every time I would get a big one ds heart rate fell badly. So....I had a c-section. Once I was open all the doctors and staff who had been chatting and talking and this and that went dead silent and everyone started rushing and it got kind of emergency like. They gave my dh Johnston and he was wide eyed and just looking around. He barely cried...he was very content and alert from birth. The doctor came in the next day to talk with us. He hadn't wanted to freak us out at the time, but when they opened me up they found that there was no liquid in the sack, the cord was almost totally useless, and the poor guy had really tried to come naturally, he was stuck in my pelvic bone...so they had to cut me open so two sets of hands could get in one pushing and one pulling. Shocked

All in all the doc said he would not have made it another 10 hours inside of me! BUT....God is good and definitely has a great purpose for my son!!! Cheesy

So, his speech might be linked to lack of something in the end of the preg....we just don't know.

~Becca

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #21 on: October 11, 2006, 05:53:45 PM » by luvbnamom

Quote from: KristenA on October 11, 2006, 04:20:05 PM

I had a c-section with my first. After being on this site for a while I started dreaming about a home-birth with the next, but haven't put too much stock in it because I know my husband wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

My husband wasn't to thrilled about talk of a homebirth if we had another biological one at first. Then when our birth mom of our adopted son had a homebirth at our home it was great!!!!!! Smooth, beautiful and totally relaxed! He actually wants to deliver the next one (if God blesses us naturally!) with the help of a midwife. Wink

I was thrilled to see he was okay with it after our first ds ordeal!!!

~Becca

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #22 on: October 11, 2006, 06:35:46 PM » by SC

Quote from: luvbnamom on October 11, 2006, 03:58:51 PM

about 2 months ago we put him in speech therapy. We can understand him, but no one else can. I stay in the room with him the whole session and then we practice what they work on the following week. After testing him they found that his vocabulary is great, but he has a weak tongue. His tongue goes all over his mouth when he's talking. We worked on it ourselves, but it just came down to it being way over our heads.

This is just a general principle that we practice:

If we have a therapist working with our child that cannot show us how to incorporate beneficial exercises that reinforce the work being done, we find another therapist. You are paying them for their expertise in knowing what will work best and how to implement it. Part of that task is being able to effectively communicate these therapies AND THEIR PURPOSE to the parent. If he/she cannot show you how to put your hands on your child in an understandable way, then (even if she is very good at what she does) your child isn't receiving the maximum benefit.

I'd rather have someone that was very good at the basics and able to help me implement them than someone who was so far over my head that I had no idea how to help my child.

Of course, you'll also need to keep your creative juices working in order to think about what you have lying around the house that might be a useful prop. I.E. Straws, bubble pipes, electric toothbrush for oral stimulation, etc.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2007, 07:38:44 PM » by helanasmom

My 3 year old is nowhere near where I think she should be when it comes to speaking. She will not say more than 1 word at a time. She is capable of speaking in sentences b/c she has in the past...but it is very rare and it's been atleast 3 months since she last did so. She follows directions and obeys commands. She is able to imitate most of what she sees me do (within reason) and seems very bright. I am concerned about the language delay. Does anyone have any advice or personal insight to share before I take her to the doctor? Huh

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #24 on: March 07, 2007, 08:16:00 PM » by SC

Quote from: helanasmom on March 07, 2007, 07:38:44 PM

My 3 year old is nowhere near where I think she should be when it comes to speaking. She will not say more than 1 word at a time. She is capable of speaking in sentences b/c she has in the past...but it is very rare and it's been at least 3 months since she last did so. She follows directions and obeys commands. She is able to imitate most of what she sees me do (within reason) and seems very bright. I am concerned about the language delay. Does anyone have any advice or personal insight to share before I take her to the doctor? Huh

If I had concerns about my child's development, I would schedule an appoint with a pediatric developmentalist. Your regular pediatrician is trained to address physical ailments and make a note of irregular patterns of development, but is not highly skilled in interpreting what these things may or may not mean. A pediatric developmentalist is someone who can catch things early if there is need for concern, or explain to you what you are seeing and why and set your mind at ease.

Questions I would be asking myself include: What changes have there been to my child's diet and/or environment since I have seen these changes? I would look at her immunization schedule and at put a hold on them until she seemed to recover lost ground and then (if I decided to resume immunizations) resume them at a moderated (slower) pace, for instance only one serum at a time spaced 6 months apart -- not a combination immunization for her system to combat. I would start eliminating all preservatives and artificial coloring agents/flavorings in her food along with processed sugars and watch for improvement. You'll likely have time to do these things as you make your observations as pediatric developmentalists are usually booked ahead for at least 6 months.

Let us know how she comes along.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #25 on: March 26, 2007, 09:23:45 AM » by Grace

I have a some friends with a little boy who is almost 2. He is nottalking at all yet. He does babble, but he has never said anything and seemed like he was associating it with what he was saying. Like he has said mama or dada a couple times, but doesn't seem to connect those words to his parents. He seems very average/smart in other ways. When he wants his hair brushed he will point to his head and make sounds and other things like this. If he is asked to go get something or do something he does very well. So he obviously comprehends what is being said to him. He has been very well trained is a VERY obedient little boy! Recently they asked a Dr. about him and he reccommended speech therapy. They are a healthy eating family who do not go to Dr.s very much. They may be considering trying "speech therapy" for him at home. If so, any suggestions on how to go about it? Or any other ideas or input? Thanks

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #26 on: March 26, 2007, 10:58:46 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Grace on March 26, 2007, 09:23:45 AM

Does he have older siblings? I've found that the younger siblings in the family do not start speaking until much later than the first borns because everyone does all the speaking for them. My daughter is constantly attempting to do all of my sons communication for him. I have to constantly remind her to allow her brother to speek for himself. He talks up a storm now, but he was definately my late bloomer with two older sisters doting on him.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #27 on: March 26, 2007, 11:35:25 AM » by Grace

Quote from: healthybratt on March 26, 2007, 10:58:46 AM

Quote from: Grace on March 26, 2007, 09:23:45 AM

He is the oldest so I am sure that is part of it.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #28 on: May 28, 2007, 10:08:56 AM » by Anneatheart

My daughter is 4 years old and has yet to really talk. I won't go into all of it, but she had growth problems in utero and has always been behind in her development. We've recently had an MRI done and nothing is wrong with her brain. We might do some genetic testing but I really do not believe she is autistic or anything. (she is very relational, has always been slower, understands us and all, just can't communicate) She uses a few asl signs to get her message across but she is very frustrated. I started her on some glyconutrients about a month ago-- however, I probably am not giving her enough. I'm trying find out what I need to do to help her brain get what it needs.

I know she needs healthy fats, but other than that I don't really know. She takes a probiotic, and Juice plus fruit and veggie supplements, plus the glycobears. I gave her fish oil for awhile, but we ran out and I just forget. Anyways, if anyone has ideas for me let me know. THanks.

Jessica

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #29 on: May 28, 2007, 10:58:14 AM » by mykidsmom

Have you had her hearing checked? If her hearing isn't up to par she isn't going to be able to talk well or at all because of not clearly hearing the sounds. Also, have you considered speech therapy? I have a friend who did this with her daughter and it was something as simple as she just didn't have strong enough cheek muscles to move things correctly. They had her daughter suck through straws with a really thick milkshake so she could develop those muscles. You might check into those few things. If for no other reason, to rule out these possibilities. And, if she has always been slower and things check out, I'd just keep working with her and encouraging her. Maybe taking one letter or word a week and seeing if you can help her learn it that way.

hth

patti

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