Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #60 on: March 16, 2008, 10:09:30 PM » by happyhomemaker

ShabbyChic,

I'm sorry to hear of your son's speech problems. Our son that is almost 4 had many problems too. I believe his problems related vaccinations. At someone's suggestion, we put him on glyco nutrients/Ambrotose/Plus & the glyco bears and really saw a change. We did this in April of 2006, and after a few months, he was starting to talk and we could tell what he was saying. The change was an amazing one to see! I know the issues are different, but maybe this stuff could/would help? I don't sell this or anything, but I know there are folks around that do. Here's the info I found about it:

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1809.0.html

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #61 on: March 17, 2008, 01:40:01 AM » by chrysalyde

Quote from: ShabbyChic on March 16, 2008, 03:23:33 PM

Our almost 2 year old speaks way clearer than our 3 1/2 year old, and so do the other kids in the 3 1/2 year old's sunday school class.

Where do I start? The speech pathologist? The hearing doctor? Diet? I'm sure it has something to do with weak facial muscles, and I've bought some at home speech lesson CD's, but he won't do anything for me. I'm stumped.

I'm interested too ! I'm in the exact same case (3 1/2 year old boy speaking very little and enunciating very poorly when he does, and 2 yo brother doing much better than him). Except my son isn't particularly gifted physically... Roll Eyes

When were your sons born Shabby ? It's sounds like they are the same age !
I've asked both a preschool teacher and our doctor about it and they both gave me the same answer : don't worry before he turns 4. A speech pathologist can't do anything with him before he is 4. Now that's in France, I'm surprised by reading through this thread, that some kids as young as 2 have been to speech tharapy...

Thanks Happyhomemaker for the advice, I would have never thought that supplements would be an answer to speach delay ! How do you know for sure that it was that which helped him ? Could it not have been just time (since the improvement took a few months) ?

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #62 on: March 17, 2008, 08:09:17 AM » by Roehrmomma

I have a friend who home schools and her DD had a stutter. She called the Public school and they let her take free speech classes there. ( In there district) It really helped her do well. So if you feel like you need to do something you could contact your local school.

My DD who wouldn't say much I required her to say at least one word to make her point. Then slowly added more words for her to repeat as I knew she could. And now she is my child who doesn't stop talking!

Emily

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #63 on: March 19, 2008, 03:30:18 PM » by ShabbyChic

BUMP

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #64 on: April 21, 2008, 02:51:15 PM » by Roehrmomma

This is not a delay but my DD who is 2 has gotten hard to understand. I used to understand most all she said now I need her to repeat a few times and even then sometimes have no idea what she just said. It has been a month or so since this started. Nothing has changed in her environment. She has added more words but even ones she used to say clearly are muddled now.

Also she is allergic to gluten. Not sure if that could be a connection or not.

Any ideas?

« Last Edit: April 21, 2008, 02:56:43 PM by Roehrmomma »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #65 on: April 21, 2008, 03:53:03 PM » by Roehrmomma

Quote from: herbfever on April 21, 2008, 03:28:26 PM

Quote from: Roehrmomma on April 21, 2008, 02:51:15 PM

Hi there,

I would be vigilant that she isn't getting any gluten and consider casein since they can cause similar issues. Karyn Seroussi discusses in her Autism book the link between food allergies and the brain. IMO, the book is a must have to help understanding part of food allergy even if there is no autism.

hth

OK I will do this. I have another dd that can not have milk so I can easily take her off also.

Her words just seem to gel together and be mumble like yet she is obviously (most of the time) trying to speak clearly.

Thanks

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #66 on: April 21, 2008, 04:20:28 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: Roehrmomma on April 21, 2008, 03:53:03 PM

Quote from: herbfever on April 21, 2008, 03:28:26 PM

Quote from: Roehrmomma on April 21, 2008, 02:51:15 PM

I second what Herbfever said. Yes, allergies CAN mess up speech. What you are describing is what happens to my 22 year old DS when he eats his allergic foods or is exposed to any chemicals. (he is chemically sensitive as well as allergies) He's been like that ever since he started talking but he was at least 8 years old before I figured out the connection.

One thing to keep in mind is that both casein & gluten can be HIGHLY addictive. I am also allergic to casein & am an ex-smoker & I have craved milk MORE than I ever craved a cigarette. Here are a couple of quotes from a different thread where Herbfever & I were talking about the same thing:

Quote from: herbalmom on November 28, 2007, 10:07:51 PM

DS's problems were what got me seriously into nat medicine. His allergies cause a lot more symptoms than just weight loss including speech problems, brain fog, mood swings & more but this is the wrong thread to get into that part. I will say that I have no doubt that if I hadn't changed his diet & used nat medicine by now he would have life threatening allergies, probably asthma, & be labled as mentally handicapped or Autistic. He is nothing of the sort, he has been tested & he actually has a very high IQ but allergic foods & chemical sensitivities (which he also has) can affect him that much.

Check out the other books I mentioned also- between all of them you get a pretty clear picture at just how much allergies & chemical sensitivities can mess up your body.

Keep in mind though that many Drs, including homeopathic Drs still don't know about all of this so he may or may not be of help. HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Quote from: herbalmom on November 28, 2007, 10:54:52 PM

Quote from: DHW on November 28, 2007, 10:44:43 PM

Great advice Herbalmom.

Just want to give a reminder that gluten and casein are very similar proteins, so an allergy to one makes it much more likely that an allergy to the other exists.

Also, Seroussi says in her book that gluten and casein probably have an opiate-like effect on the brain, so they are indeed addictive for sensitive individuals. Hence, the food sneaking and gorging.

Yep, that's my kids to a T. Add in major yeast/fungus issues, the fact that sugar works like morphine in the brain & low blood sugar & you get sugar & carb binging too. I knew about all of this before I joined WTM EXCEPT the part about gluten & casein being so alike & causing the opiates in the body until I read her book. That was a big piece of the puzzle though. Believe me, I don't just give answers on WTM, I have learned a bunch also. Thanks to all that have posted info that helped me. Blessings ~herbalmom

Actually, although the thread those quotes are from is Underweight Infants & Toddlers: Healthy Supplements For Weight Gain that thread has a lot of info about allergies & the less known symptoms they cause as well. HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #67 on: April 22, 2008, 12:17:23 PM » by healthybratt

I'm not personally aware of any health connections to this situation, but I have had experience with this related to behavior. Is this a possibility? Sometimes my children change their clarity or loudness of speech as a way to control the situation ie (they talk softly in the car, to force me to turn around and pay direct attention to them or they speak loudly when I'm on the phone to get more attention, etc.). Just something to consider. Grin

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #68 on: April 22, 2008, 12:23:25 PM » by Roehrmomma

Quote from: healthybratt on April 22, 2008, 12:17:23 PM

I thought about that. Most of the time she is really trying to get me to understand she will get louder but not clearer. After I ask her what a few times she takes my hand and shows me if she can.

Frustrating to us both.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #69 on: June 20, 2008, 09:27:37 PM » by K.Sarah

So, reading through all this has me thinking in a new direction about my son. He turned 2 in April, and is just really not talking much. What he does say is like his own language -- we can get it now, but I don't know why he picks the things he does. He's been very late in lots of other developmental areas (crawling, walking, etc.) But he always catches up and does fine, so I have waited a little while on this one, figuring he was just lagging as usual.

BUT, I don't want to go too long with speech development. After reading some of your info here, I realized that it may be the weak facial/mouth muscles. He was my only one who didn't nurse because he absolutely could not latch on -- not even enough to work with him. Nothing we did worked. He ended up on a bottle, and even that was a challenge for a little while.

I have noticed that he hates drinking from sippy cups, and prefers a regular glass cup. He will gulp down water like that, but will put a sippy cup down after just a second. He doesn't chew his food very well for his age -- we have to watch him and make sure he doesn't just swallow stuff, because he's been sick before from unchewed, undigested food.

He understands everything we say, and honestly he's always "talking", with the right intonation and everything, just not many real words. He says Bye, Hi, Mama, Cracker. and a few others. Then he makes up his own words -- Daddy is "Jie" (His name starts with a J, so it's kind of a combo), Water is "Ju" , and strangely, when he sees a bug, he says "Lo". All kinds of words like that, that I eventually figure out, but that don't make a lot of sense.

He's a very happy, good-natured little guy otherwise, and very involved in whatever we are doing.

So what direction do you go in for a weakness in muscles for speech? What exercises could I have him do (besides the already suggested straw and blowing bubbles) in the meantime while we look?

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #70 on: June 20, 2008, 11:35:03 PM » by mykidsmom

One of the biggest things my friend's therapist had her dd do was drink really thick drinks (think milkshake thick without all the sugar) through a straw constantly. The sucking motion really helps to strengthen those muscles. I'll have to ask her about what else she did. This one was easy to remember. I also wonder if chewing gum (trident with xylitol for health) would help those muscles?

patti

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #71 on: June 26, 2008, 07:00:13 AM » by springlilac

Hi,

Just a question for everyone. I have a 4 yr old nephew who spends his day telling himself off.

Like.... "Go tell Momma." "Get up" "Momma said no" etc. All day long.
When he said 'Go tell Momma' I asked him what he needed to tell Momma. He just smiled and repeated it.
Has anybody else experienced this? Apart from parroting, he doesn't interact/converse with anyone apart from telling us when he needs to go to the bathroom.

Looking forward to comments on this one.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #72 on: June 26, 2008, 07:46:11 AM » by SarahK

SpringLilac-

Some follow-up questions:

Is this an only child? How would you describe the kind of interaction he has with others (children/adults) during a normal day (time, quality, etc)? How much do the adults in his life speak?

Sarah K

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #73 on: June 28, 2008, 04:28:22 AM » by springlilac

Quote from: SarahK on June 26, 2008, 07:46:11 AM

Hi Sarah K.

He has a younger brother 3 mths old/. He does communicate but without actual conversations. During a normal day he he typically has Daddy time, where they go and do man things. He spends alot of time investigating the property or playing with things on his own.
His parents are both rather quiet. Dad is a Minister, Mum is a very involved quiet housekeeper. BUt she always takes time to talk to him, read to him and play with him.

He is not immunised, gluten free (definitely gluten intolerant), milk free etc.

He is a very happy child. Also a real thinker. He has been to speech therapy group classes.
Just recently he said his first word in public.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #74 on: September 23, 2009, 05:08:39 PM » by Darcy

Hi, I'm bumping this thread instead of starting a new one.

My #2 daughter is 27 months and she doesn't talk. I mean, she doesn't say words. She babbles non-stop, voice inflections and everything, but I've only ever heard her say a real word maybe a handful of times. She's very smart, responds to us, loves people, and is just as loud as her older sister (who won't quit talking). But no words. She like to copy people...their hand movements, their voices, their actions. She thinks it's great fun.

I know she hears well because I've done little "tests" on her for a while now. I know she understands, sometimes even surprising me with just how much she understands. We got her some baby sign language videos and she picked it up almost overnight. Now she can sign basic needs like "drink", "eat", "more", and some others. She loves it (she's always "talked" with her hands). I wasn't sure at first if she was just copying us or if she understood the context of the signs. But the other day she walked up and patted my pregnant belly and I said "that's the baby". Then she smiled and signed the word for "baby". Shocked

I was very excited. She also understands and follows simple commands very well. She likes reading books with me, pointing to the pictures and babbling about them.

But I am concerned about the lack of speech. We don't have medical insurance and are a very low-income famliy so getting an evaluation is out of the question right now. I talk to her all the time but I was hoping maybe someone had ideas about excersizes I could do with her? Or experience with this type of delay? I wish I could take her to a specialist and either get some help or set my mind at ease, but I can't. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #75 on: September 23, 2009, 06:04:54 PM » by floydian

I read an article just this morning about a mom whose little one couldn't form words. The mother began researching and discovered a link between Omega 3 fatty acids and brain development. She added a good Omega 3 to her daughter's diet in some orange juice every morning, and within a month her daughter began speaking in words. Her vocabulary grew leaps and bounds in the next couple of months.

This may not be at all related, and there are just some children who just simply talk later than others, but since I just read the article this morning, I thought maybe it might give you a starting point.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #76 on: September 23, 2009, 06:25:13 PM » by mykidsmom

My DS said VERY little until he was 3. Then he started talking and hasn't shut up since. Grin

If it's due to weak facial muscles you could have her drink from a straw as much as possilble as that exercises the speech muscles. Otherwise, I'm not too sure I'd be worried about it right now.

patti

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #77 on: September 27, 2009, 10:08:01 PM » by Isaacsmama

Our son just turned four and does not communcate well at all. His speech is great, he has no problems prounoucing words and can say 'difficult' words for kids. He can repeat just about anything and has a great memory. He can sing several hymns, all the verses and gets most of the words right. But, he doesnt 'talk'. If he is eating a food he likes and you ask him 'Isaac, do you like that' he just gives you a blank stare. He have been trying to coach him on answering questions, but it is getting where it is scripted to him. Like if he ask him 'Isaac what did you do today' The answer is something like 'I got milk', or 'we went to the exchange' Things we didnt do that day, but he has been 'coached ' to answer that way on other days. He is super healthy and never gets sick, no vaccines, eats good. He doesnt even know what candy is and doesnt like 'junk food' He is smart is other areas. I tought him the world map from a young age and he knows where every country on the map is, he can read many words (I used the teach your baby to read book) He can count to over 100 in English and Spanish and to 10 in italian. He knows a lot of spanish words and starting to learn some italian words. He knows shapes and colors really well. He plays well at times with his 18 mo borthers, but in general, isnt interested in interacting with other kids. The other 'concern' we have is that he will get some object ( an index card with a word written on it, a plastic bubble wand, a single block , etc.) and just sit on the couch and stare at it, turning it over in his hands, just starting at it and zoning out. I dont know if it is related. We are really starting to get worried about his lack of language. Any suggestions?

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #78 on: September 27, 2009, 11:45:08 PM » by mykidsmom

It almost sounds like he might be along the autism spectrum in a mild form. It might be worth having him tested. There are many autistic people that are extremely intelligent but lack social skills. It could be that's where he's at. Just a thought.

patti

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For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #79 on: September 28, 2009, 02:07:40 AM » by Isaacsmama

Somebody else said that to us, but he hasnt had vaccines, and I was under the impression that autism is linked to vaccines. He doesnt mind social situations, but doesnt like being the center of attention. At his birthday a few weeks ago, when lots of people (12-15) were singing him 'happy birthday' and everyone looking at him, he could handle it and cried for a while, till daddy got him settled down. But, other than that, he was fine with people around.
He does fine in church (although our church is small) he just doesnt usually 'join the group' ya know. Anyway, we only have NAVY doctors here, but I figured we should at least see what they say.

I saw the link for the nathhan.com site selling the speech therapy 2. Was wondering if that might help. thanks for input.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #80 on: September 28, 2009, 09:16:04 AM » by mykidsmom

Isaacsmama,

Autism is linked to vaccinations but not in the way you think. Generally there is something in a child's body (genetic defect, etc). When they get vaccines it kicks that gene into gear (usually it's in the gut) and that is what causes the autism. So, if your child is on the low end of the autism spectrum, had you vaccinated, he likely would have been very autistic. We have this same situation with our DS. If we had given him one more shot he would have been severely autistic (he's not now - just has severe allergies from the shots). Does that make sense? So vaccines don't necessarily "cause" autism. They allow someone who has that defect to have the defect kick into gear when it would otherwise remain "dormant" for lack of a better word.

At the very least it might be worth having him evaluated. I would caution you if they want to medicate him. I would also encourage you to look at his gut because autism is linked to a damaged gut. It might be worth reading through some of the autism threads and also the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome. While they may not directly apply to your situation, it may give you a better understanding of some of his symptoms and also how diet can play a part in making them better.

god bless,

patti

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For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #81 on: September 28, 2009, 07:39:21 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Issacsmama,

He sounds very smart for his age. I have known two young men who are on the autism spectrum that are extremely intelligent, but they lack what you would call 'normal' social skills like being able to carry a conversation. It's almost like their brain goes overboard developing in one direction but not another. It's like they are missing those 'connections' that cue social interaction from observation.

From what I've seen, autism is often linked to digestion issues for this reason:
your neuralogical system is built from the foods that you eat and that are broken down and absorbed. If there is a problem with digestion (allergies, inability to digest fats, or problems caused from vaccines colonizing in the gut) then the building blocks are not able to be absorbed and used. The myelin which coats the nerve cells and the make up of the brain is mostly fats, so I would look carefully at fats digestion. Does he have any other allergy related symptoms? He may not...some kids only display neuralogical/behavioral symptoms.

Here are some good videos to watch about the links between diet and autism, and they also talk about antibiotics use, and maybe vaccinations. Both of these, in conjunction with a diet of processed foods create a very weakened digestive system...which leads to all sorts of physical or neuralogical glitches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylju4YQcDi8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLP0Ijo2CK4
Donna Gates & Dr. Campbell-McBride explains the process of compromised gut flora from birth, and how this can lead to extreme health and neuralogical problems.

It's so great for your son that you've started early, and are willing to acknowledge these glitches and seek out answers for him. That takes a lot of courage on your part. Kiss

« Last Edit: September 28, 2009, 08:11:02 PM by hi_itsgwen »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #82 on: September 30, 2009, 02:03:23 AM » by Isaacsmama

we took him to the dr and she thinks he has aspbergers(not sure of the spelling on that) But we have to get him evaluated with the specialist. He hasnt veen vaccinated and hasnt had antibiotics, ever, I only do herbal remedies. But, he was born in a hospital, and the dr's gave me antibiotics, so maybe he got it through nursing. He doesnt show any sign of being allergic and he really doesnt eat much processed foods, Im pretty good at cooking whole foods. I will try and look into the diet connection, but if I need to make any major changes, it will be hard being as we are in Italy right now and shopping here isnt the easiest to find anything. thanks for the tips, it is hard for us to see him 'not talk' to people when we see 3 yo babbling and talking constantly. We will see. I am going to look into that speech thing from nathhan.com.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #83 on: September 30, 2009, 06:33:11 AM » by born-an-okie

Isaacsmama, I think you are doing a great job! We live in a very contaminated world. There is so much that can get into our bodies through the air we breathe, the water we drink and bathe in, things in our food, and we just can't control every little thing. Learn what you can and keep having and open mind. Bless you for your diligence! May the Lord will lead you to the information that you need.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #84 on: September 30, 2009, 09:19:51 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Isaacsmama,
It sounds like you're doing everything right! And there are definitely things you can do to help your son. Did you watch the videos I posted? They explain how a Mama passes her digestive weaknesses on to her kids. So even though he's on a stellar, all natural diet/no vaccines/herbal remedies, his body may just not be producing the digestive enzymes to break down all that good food so that it can be absorbed and used. So, even if you discover that you need to make a few changes at first, it's a great chance that you're already doing everything right with the quality of the foods. (I would LOVE to live in Europe, where fresh foods are valued and available!!! Lucky ducky!)

Patti has some wonderful insights through the journey that she has been on with her son, and she's been wondeful to post all about the doctor that has saved her son's life and turned around his digestive issues. Her son was also getting a very healthy diet, good fats, etc. But through the testing they had done, they discovered that he was digesting NO fat at all (and he had lots of problems with food allergies too with other causes).

Most 'regular' doctors do not believe that there is any 'hope' for a child on the autism spectrum outside of medication and therapies, but watch the video links, and you'll see a Dr. who does believe in reversing autism, because she has done so with her own child, and specializes in working with autistic kids in her practice.

Lots of love to ya'!
Gwen

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #85 on: October 05, 2009, 02:38:34 PM » by Isaacsmama

thanks for all the info, he has an evaluation next wednesday. We shall see. We are quite adamant about not using drugs. I am looking into the diet thing, started watching those videos you linked. Thanks for that. Ill keep you updated.

« Last Edit: October 05, 2009, 02:51:20 PM by Isaacsmama »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #86 on: October 14, 2009, 09:05:11 AM » by Isaacsmama

Isaac had his 'evaluation' today. the therapists seemed overly concerned about him. but they were more concerned about his social skills than with his lack of language, IMO. They want to enroll him in some program at the school here (DOD school, NAVY base) but that requires signing him into the system and they want a immunization record for that. We dont vaccinate and defnitely wont now. The ladies did not like that and argued with my husband about it. so frustrating. Im just concerned about ISaac. I talked to someone from Nathhan.com and ordered the straight speech 2 program and she suggested a few other things, one being stages learning materials. Those are picture cards which I guess are very helpful in helping your child learn language skills. they are pricey though so I will wait to ask husband about ordering those. Has anyone ever used them, here is a link to see the cards:
http://www.stageslearning.com/

Ive been giving him a tummy tune-up every morning lately, just in case there is an issue in his gut, but Im not for sure that there is because he really doesnt seem to have any issues with food. Anyway, I am anxious to get that straight speech and do something as I am not interested in sending him to the school for their form of therapy. I pray I will be able to write on this thread in another year or so and say everything is fine with Isaac.

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