One more question

Hi Ladies!

After reading through the posts on this board- I do think DS will be denied services for EI for speech- his receptive language is high and he says a lot of things (although unclearly). My main concern is the feeding- he just won't eat- My gut is telling me it is possible oral muscle weakness.

I want to be prepared to get him help before he is old enough for CPSE if he is denied through EI.

Can anyone recommend a speech agency- in western suffolk? There are so many advertised- how do I pick one? I see that many of these agencies evaluate and can help with speech and feeding simulataneously.

Thank you!

This board is so wonderful- I feel like I know so much more by reading through old posts- this process is so tricky!

Re: One more question

Donna Lederman, hands down ! She is who you want to do the evaluation. She isn't a feeding therapist but she knows how to recognize things like no one else I have ever met. She has an office in Commack.

If you are talking about oral motor issues, or any movement issues of the mouth, she is the one to go to. Her practice utilizes PROMPT therapy, which essentially restructures oral muscular phonetic targets. Your son may be dealing with oral apraxia or even verbal apraxia.

Feeding/swallowing would be different, but you may see a huge correlation between PROMPT and your son's ability to eat. For my daughter so much has to do with her low tone and instability of her jaw.

For feeding/swallowing I would look into a therapist who works out of a hospital setting.

Message edited 12/13/2013 7:11:08 PM.