Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Paige is 18 months. She has received EI services for her gross motor skills because she was a little low tone. She is now done with PT.

Now, she isnt saying a word. All she does is babble. Here and there she will say what sounds like a word but then never say it again. So, I asked her PT to ask for a speech evaluation for her. Im not necessarily worried but I want to help her out a little bit and feel she will benefit from this if she qualifies.

Well, my mom and her supposed "friends", including my brother think I am nuts for having this done at the age of 18 months. They think I should wait until she is at least 2. They all said the same thing about her mobility...."dont worry she will stand up on her own but at her own pace". Well, I was right. PT has done wonders for her.

Now, I feel the same about her speech. I at least think that she should be saying some little words like up, out, etc. She really doesnt even call me ma ma. She can say it but she doesnt associate it with me.

Am I crazy for havign her evaluated this early? Will this scar Paige for life? My mom seems to think that I will make her have low self esteem by always thinking she isnt doing the other kids are doing. My mom makes me feel like a horrible mom.

Message edited 8/9/2008 9:09:33 AM.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

I had DD evaluted at 18 months for speech and even though she didn't qualify, to her it was like playing with someone for a little while and does not even remember it and of course it will not scar her...

She started speaking so much within a few weeks and now at almost 2 1/2 she has a HUGE vocab and doesn't shut up! But I do not regret having the eval done...

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

You are not crazy at all- as her mom, you know what is best.

Considering she is already in EI for PT, she would be also considered "at risk" for other delays in development, including speech.

Does she have any true words at all- even approximations of words that she associates with objects? You mention babbling. Does it *sound* like true speech (almost like she's speaking a different language)? Also-is she able to understand you or follow directions (e.g."DD, where is the dog?" and she points or looks at the dog)?

Both of those a major milestones in speech and language development. The babbling is a precursor to true speech, while following directions is a the ability to process language.

To have NO words by 18 months IS indicative of a delay. How delayed would only be determined by EI.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

A 18 months and not really speaking, me as a mother I would absolutely have her evaluated. She is 18 months, she will not remember the evaluation,,if anything the evaluation can HELP her!

Go with your gut......

Good Luck

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Do it, it can't hurt!! Its sad everyone is against it when it can do nothing but benefit her

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Posted by DanaRenee

Do it, it can't hurt!! Its sad everyone is against it when it can do nothing but benefit her

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

I do not have any children yet, but the population of children I have been working with for the past 13 years all have speech and language delays.

As a professional, I would much rather see a parent be proactive in caring for their child then wait too long to get services. EI is extremely important for speech and language delays as well as many others. All too often I see parents in denial and their children suffer for it.

There is no harm in getting an evaluation. The best you can be told is that nothing is wrong. If there IS a delay, then you can address it before your child begins school. Go with your gut as a parent.

Message edited 8/9/2008 9:57:37 AM.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

You are doing the right thing! The earlier you can start services, the better, and she's not going to receive services unless she needs them. But you know that. I think you are being a good, proactive mother who loves her daughter with all her heart. Go with your gut and get her evaluated. The best case scenario is that she does needs services and she GETS them. That's not a worst case scenario to me. Don't even tell anyone you're having her evaluated. It's none of their business and you shouldn't have to hear about it

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

You are the parent, and I think you should go with your gut. If you are concerned, have your child evaluated. There is no cost, it is all play based, it won't scar or hurt your child. Most children like when the evaluator comes over with the big bag of toys to play with!

I've done countless EI speech evals and I always tell parents its better to err on the side of caution and ask for the eval than to wait for a delay to get worse and worse..... if you have any questions, please feel free to FM me!!

Good luck

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Posted by prncss

You are doing the right thing! The earlier you can start services, the better, and she's not going to receive services unless she needs them. But you know that. I think you are being a good, proactive mother who loves her daughter with all her heart. Go with your gut and get her evaluated. The best case scenario is that she does needs services and she GETS them. That's not a worst case scenario to me. Don't even tell anyone you're having her evaluated. It's none of their business and you shouldn't have to hear about it

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Do you know how many moms I work with who tell me that they were the one who knew they had to do something because their families were giving them grief? And they felt guilty doing it, and were so happy they did? Moms always know!!! Do whats in your gut!!!!

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Posted by prncss

You are doing the right thing! The earlier you can start services, the better, and she's not going to receive services unless she needs them. But you know that. I think you are being a good, proactive mother who loves her daughter with all her heart. Go with your gut and get her evaluated. The best case scenario is that she does needs services and she GETS them. That's not a worst case scenario to me. Don't even tell anyone you're having her evaluated. It's none of their business and you shouldn't have to hear about it

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

My peditrician would say to wait until she is 2, however I would do it now. I think you are doing the right thing.

Glad to hear she is done with her PT!! Focusing on that probably took away from her speaking.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Well, I for one cringe now when people tell me that "it will all happen on its own" because although most times they are 100 percent right amd are trying to be optimistic it doesn't help me sleep at night. If it makes you feel better than get her evaluated. If she doesn't qualify than you just keep an eye on her an reevaluate. I think you should do what you're comfortable with!

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

You are def. doing the right thing. I had my son evaluated for speech at 16 months. He is getting services now and it is helping sooo much.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

mt son didn't talk until he was over 2.5, and even then it was limited. he had nothing at 18 months. but due to medical problems a birth he started speech at 9 months. ignore your mom and company... you thkn she needs the eval, you get it. think how you would feel if you wait until 2 and she's still behind, and those 6 months could have been used ot help catch her up???? the earlier you get the help, the better off she will be for it. people who say "she will catch up" and don't do it, and wait, are not helping you or her. at htis age, the therapists play with her, she'll love it, its company and she will never know its "extra help." people who try to discourage your form getting services are not doing you any favors. if a child is behind and needs help, the best thing you can do is get that help as early as possible.

btw... my son at 5.5 now, has been full discharged from services (3 years in special ed preschools) and is now going into Kindergarten as a typical kid. i don't think he would have done that if we didn't get him the help as early as we did.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

You're the mommy. If you think DD should have an evaluation NOBODY had the right to tell you not to.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Bryan is 18 months and I am planning on having him evaluated for speech.
You are not crazy.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

I say do it. Both my DD and DS receive EI speech and they are almost 15mos. I say, as PP's have said it can't hurt. If she doesn't qualify then atleast you know you made an the effort to make sure everything was okay. If she doesn't receive the service maybe they can give you advice on what to do to help the situation. What does your Ped. think? As a mother you know your child best and outsiders to the situation only see bit and pieces, go with your gut. Good luck.

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Posted by Sweets13

A 18 months and not really speaking, me as a mother I would absolutely have her evaluated. She is 18 months, she will not remember the evaluation,,if anything the evaluation can HELP her!

Go with your gut......

Good Luck

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

To me it cant hurt to have her evaluated.

I would go with your gut...

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

I don't think you are crazy at all! I had DS evaluated twice around 18months and 2 for speech because he did not say anything. They said he didn't qualify and around 2 1/2 his speech took off! I hope everything goes well for you and your dd

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

Being that she is delayed in gross motor skills, I would def go ahead and have her evaled for speech. Speech and language is a fine motor skill, so its quite possible something might be going on.
Its really better to be safe than sorry!

it will not scar her for life...making sure your child is ok, is not a bad thing! It would scar her for life if you didn't do anything about it.

Good Luck!

Re: Be honest...do you think I am crazy??? EI related.

My son is 18mos old maybe says 4 words that I only understand and I just called yesterday to set up an apt for EI. Just waiting for their call. I see nothing wrong with it, they either qualify which IMO can't hurt can only help or they don't qualify and then you just go on and see if the problem continues and if does you might have to repeat the eval in 6mos. I think you know what's best for your child. GL