My son turned three in May and he doesn't speak at all. His pedtrician kept saying not to worry but I pushed and got a referral for Speech. He goes once a week for thirty minutes and has been betwwen 8-10 times. Thing is the therapist isn't trying to get him to talk. First she pushed sign language and he wanted nothing to do with it. Now she is trying to get him to use pictures to show what he wants. Has anyone else had any experience with a speech therapist? Is this common? She has never so much as sounded a word out. Any imput would be helpful.
I think you are with the wrong speech therapist. When my son was we had an awesome speech therapist through Children's in Cincinnati. She actually worked on words and sounds with him. She was very good, all of them. We were lucky to have Becky S. Due to insurance issues we had to stop, but I would go back to her in a heart beat. I would find someone new because it sounds like your therapist is not wanting to help him talk.
T.
My son saw a speech therapist at 2 for not talking enough (probably due to chronic ear infections). He was still just using 1 syllable words and no sentences at all. We had a great speech therapist. She did spend a lot of time on pictures and sign language, but she verbalized while doing it. As I understood it, she first wanted to ensure he understood the basics of communication - how to ask what he wanted. Sign language is much easier than talking at that age. He picked up the signs for want and please very quickly. Then, she worked on words and gave him a template for basic sentences.
My son only worked with her for 6 months, but it was enough. It was amazing how quickly he picked up new words and phrases once she unlocked it for him.
Another thing to consider - there are free programs in some states. It's called "Help Me Grow" in my state or "Early Intervention". It's for toddlers and preschoolers with developmental delays. My son, at 2, qualified for the program because he was 3 months behind in speech. Those ladies were wonderful! They came to our house or daycare to work with my son, and they had "groups" for him to learn with other kids.
He's 4 now, and he's firmly in the "normal" category for speech.
Your pediatrician should know all about the programs in your state. But, I'm really surprised your pediatrician waited this long to intervene. Perhaps you should consider another pediatrician?
Good luck!
It sounds to me like your son has apraxia. I would research a speech therapist that has experience with apraxia and get him in there, at least for an eval. My son was diagnosed with apraxia a few months ago. He says no words either, but is also very smart. You should join this yahoo group I'm apart of. There are some very helpful parents that could possibly give you some ideas and also are very supportive. Here is also a book that might help you.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/childrensapraxianet/
http://www.speech-express.com/late.talker.html
http://www.speechville.com/ --website has really good information on speech delays vs. speech disorder
If you have any questions or just looking for support. You can email me. Hope to see you in our group. Good luck.
T.
Hi T.
I personally think you need to take your son to an ears nose and throat doctor to rule out any medical problems first. Perhaps change pediatrics. Something doesn't sound right. I wish I could be of more help. My son did see a speech therapist at 3 for stuttering.
God Bless
D.
