[ExuberantDaffodil]

I've been trying so hard just to adopt the philosophy that my 26 month old will talk when he is good and ready, but as the months go by and he makes very little progress, I am starting to really worry.

I've ruled out a few few things: his hearing is fine, his cognitive ability is fine, his ability to immitate is fine.

He just says "eh eh eh eh" for everything. He's got a few words he can use, but basically his speach is that of a 15 month old -- his 15 month old cousin can say everything he says, and she's not advanced or anything.

So... I called a few speech pathologists in town... no one takes toddlers under three except one place, and that place takes every single insurance known to mankind except ds's insurance.

I talk to ds a lot, we don't watch a lot of tv, we read together everyday... I just don't know what I am doing wrong.

:

What really concerns me is that ds has only learned two or three new words in the last three months, and he's lost a couple of words he knew before.

Comments? Advice? Hugs?

 

[trini]

I don't have any advice or experience with this, as ds is only 12 months, but I can offer you a

 

[nikandgeisel]

I honestly don't have any advice because I just know very little abou this. However, I did want to send a (((HUG))) to you momma. There's nothing you are doing wrong! You can't take this on as something you have control over. That stinks that his insurance isn't covered. Have you tried the early intervention program in your area. In Indiana where I am it's called First Steps. They have them all over, just with different names. Usually you have to have a referral from a doc and then they will come in and do an assessment to see if he qualifies for services. I know in Indiana at this point you have to really plead your case a lot of times because as with everything else, there's just no money. First Step services are based on sliding fee scale I think. If it helps your peace of mind, find out if you can have an assessment done. I'm not sure when there is need for concern with speech and there are other moms around here that can probably put your mind at ease even more.

 

[arniflora]

First of all in your situation, NO one is doing anything wrong! Get that unproductive thought out of your head!

Have you heard of Early Intervention (EI)? Google them with your state. My ds is 20+ months old and while he has some words, it was brought to my attention by a pediatrician that he is not talking as much as he should. At first I dismissed it because he is very vocal. Then, after paying attention in a different way, I realized he may be behind. Whether it's just 'cause he's not ready to talk yet or there is actually something to be concerned about I do not know. But, since the seed was planted in my head of the possiblity of something wrong, I had to follow through with it.

I called EI and got the initial paperwork done. I am waiting to get hear about setting up the evaluation to determine if he is eligible for there services - which are 100% free, btw. They deal with ages 0-3. It does take a long time to actually get things in motion with them, just so you know.

If there is no issue, then your mind will be put to ease and they can still give you suggestions, etc. on steps to take yourself. If there is some issue that would benefit from speech therapy, then won't you be glad that you called?

As I see it, it's a win-win situation.
Take care and be good to yourself and your family!

 

[StephandOwen]

If you're worried then call the early intervention place. They will do an evaluation (more than likely free) and, if needed, provide some speech therapy for him. At this age it's just play therapy and you'd be there too (I believe most places offer your choice of doing it in your home or doing it in their building). My DS has been in ST in the EI program since 17 months (he's now 34 months). At 17 months he said a few words, but not much (he had the expressive language of an 8 month old at that time). Having him in therapy for the last 17 months (half of his life! Holy cow, I never realized that!) has not hurt him at all and, while he's still really delayed, it's gotten us in the "system" so he can get the help he needs (now if someone could figure out why he's not talking I'd be thrilled).

Like I said- I'd get him evaluated. If nothing else they'll tell you he's fine and you won't worry so much.

 

[StephandOwen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arniflora It does take a long time to actually get things in motion with them, just so you know.

Not always

Between the time I placed the first phone call to the time my ds started getting speech therapy was only a couple weeks (and we met some time in that time to do the eval). It didn't take long at all

It would have actually been sooner but one of the evaluators dd was sick so we had to delay it.

 

[pixielinds]

my 25 month old is in speach therapy, and i can tell you its working wonders

he's been to ONE session and within that few days after, he had already learned 5 new words..

 

[anabellee]

i've been wondering about this too. ds is 14mths and has no words. he can sign though. i just wonder if he has trouble making the sounds needed for speech. thanks for all the good info mamas!

 

[Terabith]

I think EI is required by law to do an evaluation within 2 weeks or something like that, maybe it's a month. Anyway, they're awesome. There really is no downside. If there's nothing wrong and he gets speech therapy anyway, it's certainly not gonna hurt him. Just gives him another adult to play with, and if there IS a problem, the earlier therapy is started, the better. My dd started speech therapy at 14 months and was caught up by 2 yrs!

 

[ExuberantDaffodil]

Thank you so much mamas!!

I googled early intervention for my state and got the number this evening. I will be giving them a call tomorrow! I looked up eligibility and it looks like I would meet all the requirements... I am just hope they don't want a referal from ds's ped first... But I'll take what I can get.

Thank you again!

 

[ExuberantDaffodil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seraone My instinct says that there is nothing wrong with her, but at what age do the red flags go up?

I would say, for the most part, follow your instinct. my ds had his first word ("kitty") when he was 12 months old and didn't say mommy or anything else for a while. I wasn't too concerned then. The red flags went up for me around 18-20 months, and when he turned two I realized he was pretty far behind in the speaking department. I waited six months after my initial concerns, hoping for a language exploision, but now I think I am ready to have his assessed, just to be sure.

 

[JBaxter]

We are using the early intervention program for Nathan right now. I started him when he was 26 months at the advice of my ped. Like your child he could do everything BUT say words. He is doing alot better but once he is 3 ( in Nov) we will have to go to the school for his therapy. Right now she comes to the house 3-4 times a month. In our area after the age of 3 the services fall under the special education program with our school system. His therapist asked if that would bother me I said. I didnt care what or who was in charge of the program but as long as my son got the therapy ( and free to boot!) that was all that mattered

In Maryland once you call EI they have 45 days to make their evaulation. I think Nathan had his done about 3 weeks after I made the phone call.

 

[arniflora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExuberantDaffodil Thank you so much mamas!! I am just hope they don't want a referal from ds's ped first... But I'll take what I can get. Thank you again!

My experience was that my aunt (who happens to be a pediatrician, though not ds's and who lives in NJ, while we live in NH) saw him at a family function when she made this observation about his speech.

It didn't seem necessary to have his ped's referral. I think your own concern is enough but you could certainly ask when you speak to EI.

Best of luck!

 

[gr33nie]

I found this nice handout that talks about what your child 'should' be able to do as far as Speech/Language milestones. It seems reasonable to me.

http://firstwords.fsu.edu/pdf/babytalk.pdf

hth

btw - the thing about things like speech and OT therapy is that it's not like giving your child a medication that could have potential side effects. It's the a pp stated that it can't hurt, if anything it will just provide extra positive stimulation for your little one.

 

[Cardinal]

Well, I think there is a speech delay thread each week. I am always a contributing member, unfortunately. My DS is 15 months old. He has only three words and when he was 12 months old, had none. Two pediatricians were startled and insisted on an evaluation. I wrote on MDC about my situation and many mamas said not to worry - but suggested EI and explained: "It can't hurt, it can only help."

I am now awaiting the first actual evaluation and have been for approximately 6 weeks. I was told that next week the eval should happen, and three weeks after that, the therapy should begin. (This is all through Early Intervention).

I am sure that some mamas and papas experience speedier service, but my only suggestion is to get the ball rolling NOW (if you intend to get therapy for your child). It will be at least 2.5 months from the beginning of phone calls and paperwork for me to get my child in his first therapy session. That is just more time "wasted" and spent fretting.

 

[dachshundqueen]

thanks for the link, it made me feel better.

GL to the OP.

Liz

 

[SortaCrunchy]

Hi! I can offer big hugs to you, mama!

My dd is 18 months and has basically no words. She has said kitty and every now and again will randomly say stuff like "a baby" or "cough," but not much else. My pedi was utterly unconcerned at her 15 month appnt., and said if dd still isn't talking at 24 months, she would get us hooked up with EI if we want. DD does sign quite a bit, so that helps. Is your DS signing at all?

I really understand your frustrations and how you feel guilty about it. I struggle with questioning what I am doing wrong almost every day. I hope you find some answers and direction to help you both!

 

[annarbor931]

I did request a consult for my DS also. But, the EI program operates during the school year only. So, we will have to wait until September for an eval. Now that it is August, I don't really mind. Good luck!!!

 

[Jaydens_mom]

My son didn't talk much for the longest while.. he started REALLY using his words around 27 mos.. and now at 29 mos hes talking up a storm...
I wouldn't really worry about it unless he is still using "eh eh eh" at 3.
Some children learn faster than others, some just don't have the urge to learn when you want them too.

 

[wondebs]

First of all, do not blame yourself. I am confident that it is not anything that you are doing wrong. There are only two things that I can think of to help. The first is try to bribe him to say things (ex. if he wants a toy make him say train etc). The other is to see a speech pathologist. First and formost, I would talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. She/he may have great advice or info for you.

Beverly