Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #30 on: May 28, 2007, 11:19:17 AM » by Mrs. Visionary

My 11yo ds did not speak until he was 3yo. He absolutely refused to copy us. We waited until he was 2 1/2 and finally had a developmental evaluation done. I was surprised to learn that his perceptual abilities were in the 5yo range but his speech was in the 8 month range. He was referred to a speech therapy class which was twice a week for about 1 hr I think. There were 3 other children in his class and the therapist played games with them that incorporated speech and sign language.
It's hard to tell exactly what worked (we were also treating him with osteopathy and homeopathy) but one day he just suddenly started speaking. At the end of his 1st semester of his class he a little over 3yo. He was reevaluated and was at around a 2yo speech level. The therapist said he would benefit from attending another semester but that it wasn't essential. We decided due to the commute and the cost to discontinue therapy and work with him at home.
Today people who meet him can hardly believe there was a time when he didn't speak Roll Eyes

!
Looking at his personality I think some of his refusal to speak was his tendency to be a perfectionist. This also came out when he 1st started to write the alphabet. He would lay down on the floor and cry because his "A" wasn't perfect even though I could see nothing wrong with it.
I'm not sure if any of this information will apply to your child but maybe it will help to get some perspective. I also have a friend who's child did not speak until 4yo. Actually my 8yo ds had speech that was unintelligible to most until around 5 or 6yo.
HTH, Heidi

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #31 on: May 28, 2007, 04:32:13 PM » by Anneatheart

Well it does help to know that there are other children who seemed relatively normal that didn't speak until late. She has great hearing. She does another issue with her right eye...it crosses in and we have to put drops in the strong eye that blur it to make the other eye work. (like an eyepatch) Everyone keeps telling me she will start talking someday and that Einstein was 5 before he spoke, but still, it's hard to know what to do.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #32 on: May 28, 2007, 06:17:25 PM » by HeyMom

Glad to hear that her hearing is okay - I was going to suggest the same thing. One of our dd's was delayed in speaking - turned out she was deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in another.

ASL was a wonderful tool in helping her express herself - she was getting so very frustrated with not being able to communicate! Her world just brightened the day she wore her hearing aid for the first time - It brought tears to both me and hubby - a day we will never forget.

My other thought was to have her checked out by an ENT - the same dd had an abnormality that we were not aware of in her velapharangeal flap - almost like she had had a cleft palette forming but it did not finish. She had to have a surger when she was 5 1/2 and was amazing how her speech developed and changed.

We also started to have some genetic testing done, but in the end realized that all the tests/mainly bloodwork would be in our opinion a waste of time because it would not change anything we would do for her or how we wanted her to live her life - God is in control and He revealed what we needed to know in His time.

Your sweet girl will be fine and God will give you and dh the wisdom you need to help her!! That is one thing we can trust in always!!!! Will keep her in our prayers!

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #33 on: May 28, 2007, 07:04:05 PM » by wyomama3

As a former preschool teacher and one who study child development in college I have gotten some questions on this matter. I agree with all of the suggestions above! I also want to add that a child behind in one area, is likely advanced in another. For instance, they may not be speaking like they should, but thier motor coordination skills are off the chart. Or they speak early, but walk really late. Usually in time it will all balance out! I will keep your situation in prayer, and please update us.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #34 on: May 29, 2007, 06:38:46 AM » by Anneatheart

Thanks for the prayers everyone.

Yesterday she counted to six and said a few letters while pointing to them on flashcards! I just about fell over. The thing is, she will do just about anything for my mom, her Granna. I think she's just real stubborn or something and has been holding out on us. The ENT could be a possibility--- she does snore, coughs a lot for no apparent reason, and could not breastfeed because of a high palate or something. She used to gag really bad, but that's gone now. I have noticed she seems to have low muscle tone right around her mouth and lips, so maybe we should do more straws.

Anyways, she is obviously learning what she is taught at school. (she goes to a specialized preschool with therapy during the regular school year) Strange.

Thanks again everyone.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #35 on: May 30, 2007, 12:47:13 PM » by HeyMom

Quote from: Anneatheart on May 29, 2007, 06:38:46 AM

some things that dd's speech therapist did was to have her practice blowing things.....to strengthen those muscles - balloons, bubbles, etc. were great things for her to practice Wink

just another idea!

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For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
www.courageroad.blogspot.com

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #36 on: June 05, 2007, 09:36:12 AM » by Auddy

Does anyone know a good speech theriapist in Colorado? We live around the Denver area but we don't mind a commute. My daughter is 4 years old and way behind in her talking. We can understand almost everything she says but others outside the family have a hard time. She talks all the time and is very out going so I don't think it's autism. Her hearing seems fine. I've been working with her but I think if I knew exactly what was going on I could help her better. I just have no idea who to go to. If any one knows someone that is good and affordable that would be great!

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #37 on: June 05, 2007, 11:48:00 AM » by herbalmom

This program is fantastic for in home speech & language therapy that you can do yourself:

Straight Talk

I have the 1st Straight Talk & it is really good. It is written by a speech therapist that is also a home schooler & contains diagnostic tests, info about speech development & instructions for doing actual speech therapy with your child. And it costs about the same as 1 visit with a speech therapist! Cheesy

Straight Talk 1 & 2 cover:

Straight Talk 1
A parents guide to correcting childhood speech mispronunciations.

Written by Marisa J. Lapish, M.A. in Speech Pathology

* Charts explaining normal sound development

* The Consonant Cookbook, suggestions to help with each consonant's correct sound.

* Test forms and score sheets

* Word training list.

*Demonstration video available

Straight Talk 2

A parents guide to language development.

Written by Marisa J. Lapish, M.A. in Speech Pathology

and Tom and Sherry Bushnell, Directors of NATHHAN

• Exercises in Learning to Listen

• Nuts and Bolts of Language Training

• Increasing Auditory and Visual Comprehension

• Language Development Activities for the Christian Home

• Tests to Determine Exactly Where Your Child Needs Help

• How to Improve Your Child's Language Skills

• Suggestions for Parents Working with Children Ranging from Non-verbal to to More Advanced in Language.

HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #38 on: June 05, 2007, 06:06:35 PM » by Auddy

Thank you so much herbalmom I will look into it. It sounds great!

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #39 on: June 05, 2007, 07:33:13 PM » by momof4

I am concerned about my 2 1/2 year old son. He is the youngest of 4 and he is in speech therapy twice a week for speech delay. He says around 15 words now. He had tubes put in his ears at 8 mos. due to recurring ear infections and had a hearing test last summer. His doctor has just ordered a second one. Sometimes I feel like it is a waste of time going to the speech therapist because he really doesn't seem to be making any progress and he has been going since last Spring.

A child specialist just came out to the house last week and evaluated him. He is at an 18 month level for speech and 24-27 for fine motor skills.

He gets very frustrated when he cannot express what he wants. The crying is getting better than what it used to be. He would cry all day long but now a days, the crying has decreased some. Praise the Lord! because I was at my wits end.

I pray everynight that when he wakes up in the morning, he will be talking in sentences to me

Does anyone have any suggestions on videos to buy? I have heard that Baby Bumblebee videos are suppose to be really good for speech development, though I haven't ever tried using them. Also, how does one deal with the questions "What's wrong with him that he won't talk?" My mom is the worlds worst for this. She is over 600 miles away and everytime I talk with her on the phone, that is the constant question she asks me. It is very frustrating.

Any suggestions or ideas would be great. I just pray that he will outgrow this and start talking normally soon.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #40 on: June 06, 2007, 09:58:39 AM » by Simply Kristen

momof4,

Here are some ideas:

Have 3-4 10 min sessions everyday where you devote your whole attention to this. It should NOT feel like work or a therapy session!! For example, go into his room and casually talk about the toys--OVER TALK!
For example, "John do you want to play with toys?"
"This is a RED CAR."
"Red cars go FAST!"
"Oh, this is a blue truck. Blue trucks are loud."
"I like blue trucks."
"Daddy drives a gold truck."
"What truck do you like?"
----if he just picks up a toy that's fine, just name it:
"Oh, you like green race cars? Cool!"

And you get it.
I would do that in the kitchen, outside, at the pool, in the car. Keep your sentences SHORT.
Model for him.

After you practice these 3-4 "therapy" sessions a day it will become natural to just talk to him throughout the day.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #41 on: June 06, 2007, 10:30:21 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: KristenA on June 06, 2007, 09:58:39 AM

I think this is a fantastic idea. I would also add that you respond exuberantly (but not over-react) when he responds. When my kids started blabbering, even if I didn't know what they were saying, I would respond with things like "cool", "really?", "what else?" and things that would keep them talking. Eventually they get it spit out.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #42 on: June 06, 2007, 11:25:16 AM » by Simply Kristen

Quote from: momof4 on June 05, 2007, 07:33:13 PM

Also, how does one deal with the questions "What's wrong with him that he won't talk?" My mom is the worlds worst for this. She is over 600 miles away and everytime I talk with her on the phone, that is the constant question she asks me. It is very frustrating.

I'd explain to her what you are doing to teach him language and that he will learn on his own time. You could also mention that Einstien didn't speak until age 4 (I think that is what it was). Then, tell her not to ask anymore..... EVER unless she has something kind and productive to offer.

WHEN she asks again I'd hang up the phone.....Or if was feeling very polite I would say "Okay, now I have to go." Then, hang up.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #43 on: June 06, 2007, 02:10:46 PM » by momof4

Thank you for the great tips and ideas Kristen and Healthybratt. I am going to try doing the sessions with him starting today.

Thanks also for the suggestion on "what to say" to my mom Wink

I'll keep you posted on our efforts Wink

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #44 on: June 08, 2007, 05:01:35 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: KristenA on June 06, 2007, 11:25:16 AM

Quote from: momof4 on June 05, 2007, 07:33:13 PM

I agree. This kind of negativity puts thoughts into small minds that makes them believe something is wrong with them when in most cases nothing is wrong at all. The anxiety and worries of the adults can impede learning more than any other obstacle. JMO. Wink

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #45 on: June 08, 2007, 05:43:24 PM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: momof4 on June 05, 2007, 07:33:13 PM

Slightly different in my case, my children are late walkers, well over a year before they start. My mom was very distraught that my 1st hadn't started walking, surely there was something wrong. She happened to see my 2nd as he was preparing to crawl, but hadn't yet. He was already 10 months old, and surely there was something wrong. After he saw him in action, she decided that he just didn't want to yet. Ummm, Mom, that is what I've been trying to tell you! Undecided

Maybe when your mom sees him in action and knows that everything else is fine, she'll realize that your late talker is fine. With my late talker, my mom didn't hassle me at all. I think she learned that my crew do things in their own time.

Just my experience, hope it helps.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #46 on: June 11, 2007, 11:52:54 PM » by momof4

Praise Report! Our little guy added 3 new words to his vocabulary today..duck, baby and brown. We are now up to 28 words

The "sessions" seem to be going pretty good. I hear more babbling now then when I use to Grin

Going to keep working with him and can't wait to tell my mom when she asks that he is saying a few more words...hopefully, this will keep her quiet

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #47 on: June 12, 2007, 07:16:57 AM » by SC

Quote from: momof4 on June 11, 2007, 11:52:54 PM

Praise Report! Our little guy added 3 new words to his vocabulary today..duck, baby and brown. We are now up to 28 words

The "sessions" seem to be going pretty good. I hear more babbling now then when I use to Grin

Going to keep working with him and can't wait to tell my mom when she asks that he is saying a few more words...hopefully, this will keep her quiet

Maybe you could do reverse sessions with her Wink

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #48 on: June 12, 2007, 07:55:17 AM » by HeyMom

Quote from: SC on June 12, 2007, 07:16:57 AM

Quote from: momof4 on June 11, 2007, 11:52:54 PM

Praise Report! Our little guy added 3 new words to his vocabulary today..duck, baby and brown. We are now up to 28 words

The "sessions" seem to be going pretty good. I hear more babbling now then when I use to Grin

Going to keep working with him and can't wait to tell my mom when she asks that he is saying a few more words...hopefully, this will keep her quiet

Maybe you could do reverse sessions with her Wink

Rejoicing with you and chuckling with you SC! Cool

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2 Chronicles 16:9
www.courageroad.blogspot.com

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #49 on: June 12, 2007, 08:24:20 PM » by Simply Kristen

Quote from: SC on June 12, 2007, 07:16:57 AM

Maybe you could do reverse sessions with her Wink

Oh!
I got a stitch in my side from giggling so hard!

Great to hear the little guy is adding more words! Keep us updated!
Did you notice anything specific he likes to talk about? I've found boys need to be busy with their hands to talk freely. Has anyone else noticed this?

« Last Edit: June 12, 2007, 08:26:37 PM by KristenA »
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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #50 on: June 13, 2007, 01:01:08 AM » by HeyMom

Yes!

You just described my youngest Grin

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For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
www.courageroad.blogspot.com

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #51 on: June 13, 2007, 03:08:55 PM » by momof4

I got a good laugh from that one SC

Thanks for rejoicing with me Grin

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #52 on: July 06, 2007, 07:30:12 AM » by kaylhew

Hi NewCreation:

Have you observed how your son eats? Does he have any difficulty chewing or closing his lips when eating? Sometimes speech difficulties can be linked to weak jaw/lip muscles and need a little extra practice chewing and keeping mouth closed to build up those muscles. The suggestions of using a straw and chewing gum sound like good practice. If eating is not an issue, perhaps he is still absorbing the language and when he's ready, everything will click. I hope some of this helps.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #53 on: January 28, 2008, 04:04:20 PM » by natural

Not sure if this has been mentioned here but i am in a hurry and just remembered that I wanted some input about my sons saying their "r"s ...they pronounce them "W" so..."Let's go pick out a book at the libwawy" ..."Hey mom look at that caw driving by", etc...any ideas on how to bring them out of this??

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4 yo Maciah: Mamma I am scared the wind is howling.
Me: Go to sleep Jesus will protect you.
4 yo Maciah: (stretching his chin to chest) But, but I can't see Jesus my head can't reach into my heart.

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #54 on: January 28, 2008, 05:11:42 PM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: natural on January 28, 2008, 04:04:20 PM

He could learn a tongue twister or nursery rhyme with a lot of R in it. Have him practice saying it slowly and clearly.

I used nursery rhymes with one of my sons. I believe the repetition helped.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #55 on: January 29, 2008, 10:32:02 AM » by natural

thanks, any other ideas?

we do a line like: car red or bar race--so the end of one word is "r" and the beginning of the other is "r"...not sure if it has done any good???

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4 yo Maciah: Mamma I am scared the wind is howling.
Me: Go to sleep Jesus will protect you.
4 yo Maciah: (stretching his chin to chest) But, but I can't see Jesus my head can't reach into my heart.

Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #56 on: March 15, 2008, 07:00:18 PM » by GraceFaith76

Should I be worried that my almost year old dd has never babbled or anything, no la la la, ma ma ma, ba ba ba...? In all other ways she is perfect and she seems to hears fine.

I saw suggestions of using straws and what not to strienthen mouth muscles, she just started using a bottle and sippy cup and they did take a week or so for her to catch onto.

Reading some of the posts some say 'my dd (ds) did not talk to 3 yrs old' or something to that extent, did that include babbling?

I have been trying to teach her sign language, but she has not done any herself yet, should I stop to not give her that crutch that I read about in previous posts?

Thanks

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #57 on: March 16, 2008, 07:48:21 AM » by Roehrmomma

The studies I have read say sign language is not a crutch. For us my first 2 knew sign language one talked less than 30 words a 34 or so mths. Then her sister was 15 mths speaking in full clear sentences. #1 decided to catch up and followed suit. They both knew sign language and just as many words. #2 actually knew some sooner.

Emily

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #58 on: March 16, 2008, 08:13:44 AM » by his.silly.wife

Quote from: GraceFaith76 on March 15, 2008, 07:00:18 PM

I have been trying to teach her sign language, but she has not done any herself yet, should I stop to not give her that crutch that I read about in previous posts?

Quote from: Roehrmomma on March 16, 2008, 07:48:21 AM

The studies I have read say sign language is not a crutch.

I think it greatly depends on the family, and parenting styles. The friend I mentioned earlier didn't encourage her son to use real words. He had all the sounds, but preferred sound-effects and hand movements to communicate. It broke down this way...daddy wanted to insist that the boy use words, mommy wanted a speech therapist to intervene. The speech therapist had limited results, because the son was not exactly co-operative.

As for babbling...I often described my slow-to-start-talking son as my strong-silent-type son. He just didn't have anything to say.

But my daughter, who started late, her eyes had a whole story behind them, and she just couldn't get it out. She started a new supplement for her very sensitive skin, and within a week of that, she started to really tell us what was on her mind. It seems that she needed the extra nutrients to connect her thoughts to her voice. Does that make sense?

It really depends on the child.

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Re: Language & Speech Delays: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #59 on: March 16, 2008, 03:23:33 PM » by ShabbyChic

I have a question about my 3 1/2 year old. He is insanely gifted physically and his co-ordination is unbelievable. Among other things, he could volley a soccer ball from the time he was around 15 mos. old (kick it right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot while running to the goal).

His speech is horrible in my opinion. He talks NON-STOP but it's hard for most folks to understand him, and this makes him very sad. He has recurrent childhood parotitis, and this means that one of his salivary glands isn't opened as it should be and the others over-compensate by making too much saliva. Kids can have infections 2-22 times a year. He's only had one, and we treat him with pro-biotics every day hoping that it won't flare up. So he drools like a mad man even though he's 3 1/2.

I can't get him to enunciate any better. My mom can't. I don't know if it's his hearing or his lack of interest or what. My pediatrician says that because he is so smart and his vocabulary is off the charts that he'll catch up by the time he's 5 but I don't know. 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.

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