Just found out our baby is delayed - Page 2

[karne]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

So many kids are in pullouts for so many reasons, half the time the kids can't even keep track of whose going to gifted enrichment vs speech vs talking to the counselor vs special education. It's not the same as it was back when we were kids.

I feel it is important to talk about the positive experiences we've had because moms are reading this and thinking about the future.

This is my experience as well..kids are going lots of places, for a variety of reasons.

I think it's important to be open about our experiences.  SundayCrepes, I feel really sad, and not unbelieving of the experiences your friends have shared with you.  Every system has it's flaws, and educating kids with disabilities and special needs is an incredibly complex process (I include giftedness in this group).  There are so many factors-emotional, social, developmental, in addition to the actual educational piece. 

I think for a parent newly faced with concerns about their child's development, it's helpful to hear what has actually worked well, and perhaps dispel some of the myth around the idea of special education.  I also think it's important for parents to know that support is there, especially if you are at the point of thinking about schooling decisions. 

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by karne 
 I also think it's important for parents to know that support is there, especially if you are at the point of thinking about schooling decisions. 

yes. I think it's important for parents to advocate for their kids, and let the school know what they see. Education for ANY child works best when it is a team effort, and I think this is even more true for kids with special needs.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by dmpmercury 

Mama don't panic yet. It is way to early to worry about whether or not she will need services in school based on her speech at 18 months. I'm surprised they even scored her so low with 8 words at 18 months. My ds qualified for EI at 19 months old and he was losing the word she had and maybe had one word at the time. His receptive language was also delayed at the time and that is what qualified him. He didn't talk much at all until 2 and then started adding words. Shortly after 2  he took off and by the time his year reevaluation came around he was caught up speech wise and exactly where he should be. When kids hit language explosions it can come on very fast. Both my kids went from saying barely anything to talking in sentences seemingly overnight. 2 word sentences is what they look for by age 2 not 18 months. It  is OK that other kids do it faster it does not necessarily mean much in the long run. It sounds like she can understand you and she was just shy during the assessment so I wouldn't worry yet. My ds's speech therapist said about half the kids do catch up. I definitely believe in EI and keeping an eye on things but you don't know what she will be like in school. 

My son barely had 20 words at 2yrs old and didn't start speaking in 3 word sentences until 2.5 years old; from there he progressed more rapidly. Prior to that he understood us and followed directions. He did not need speech services in school.

Edited by Emmeline II - 6/23/11 at 3:39am