Speech Therapist Referrals for My 20 Month Old Son

Hi K.,

I would highly recommend you continue pursuing the Regional Center for all the benefits down the road. In the meantime you can find a private practice speech therapist. If you find one you like and the Regional Center has accepted your son, they can take over payments. My son was also 18 mo when our pediatrician recommended the Regional Center. Unfortunately, you have to pursue them. You have to call back and be the squeaky wheel. Once your in the system it's great. I live in the San Fernando Valley and I have a friend in Cerritos. Her son is also receiving therapy through the regional center.

Good Luck

J.

Hi K, Does he understand what you mean when you speak to him? My 19 month old also mostly grunts - but she understands EVERYTHING. Our pediatrician says she is well within the realm of normal, but to put her in a play group like Mommy & Me, where she has to interact with other toddlers. She is in Gymboree where the toddlers mostly interact with their adult, not with the other kids. Her two cousins are in daycare and both talk up a storm. Doc says she doesn't have to talk because I (and Daddy, and all the grandparents, etc) figure out what she means, plus she signs a lot. He says other toddlers won't bother figuring it out, they have no patience and she will HAVE to talk. When she is with her cousins for more than an hour, she will say a couple of words to them. I think it is too early to worry - my best friend didn't talk till she was 24 months - she hasn't shut up since. And she's executive producer of several tv shows. Good luck.

Hi K.,
I'd be glad to recommend speech therapists in the area that can work with you and your family. It would be best if we talk directly via email or phone. Feel free to contact me at 866-287-8030 or ____@____.com. I work at HaMercaz, a one stop resource for families with children with special needs. www.hamercaz.org.
Best wishes and hope to talk to you soon,
S.

Hello,

I actually work for a great company that can help you. We are a regional center vendor but also offer services through private insurance and private pay.

Our Regional Center name is "Every Child Achieves" and our private pay side is called "Wellness Works Therapy". We offer Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy.In addition, we specialize in early intervention pediatric therapy.

We have a 7,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art clinic in North Hollywood, but also have therapists that go in-home throughout all of Southern California. We have plenty of therapists in your area and would love to be of assistance.

The only thing I want to warn you about is that it is difficult to qualify for in-home services through insurance unless your child is considered home-bound and your doctor requires your child not to get services in a clinic setting.

We would love to be of assistance to you and can help guide you on the right path. We also can start through private pay and always transition you into Regional Center if your child qualifies so that you can keep the same therapist.

Please feel free to call me at ###-###-#### and ask to speak with J. or Brandon. In addition, check out our websites at www.wellnessworkstherapy.com & www.EveryChildAchieves.com. I look forward to helping in any way possible.

Best,

J.

Einstein didn't talk much before four as did one of my children who now gives talks for his work and once won a speaking contest in elementary school.
A thought: get the baby sign language DVD and play in over and over. This will help communication and take the pressure off your little one. Make him happy and expose him to other children as much as possible. Go the park to meet other kids etc. Also kids in your area hear more than one language a lot. This slows them down, but in the long run is a big asset. More help may not be needed.
B. v. O.

Might I suggest that you call over to Cedars and ask for their speech therapist - maybe they freelance --can come over on a Saturdy or Sunday - after work -

I would also take your son for a second opinion - there plenty of good ped in town .- I would also check his hearing as well.

I have a daughter who is turning 11 on Saturday - she spoke at an early age - walked at 16 months - every child developes at his or her own pace. Personally I would spend an hour or more a day sitting with your son at the breakfast table -- smelly markers - colors - read to him
play a game --- sing to him
Does your nanny speak English - with or without an accent .

I know from friends with boys that many of their sons did not speak for what seemed to be forever.

This is a silly question - can your son stick out his tongue? all the way? Is it attached - my daughter need hers clip - she had a hard time sucking -

Good luck

SusanT