SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Editted bc I hit enter too soon.


I have a 19-month-old DS. He has 6-7 words so I had him evaluated for speech and was told he qualifies.

We are a bilingual household but we speak 70% Spanish and 30% English to DS. I personally rarely speak to him in English. The EI coordinator just told me that it is almost impossible to get a Spanish-speaking speech therapist now in Nassau and that we might have to have his speech in English She then proceeded to tell me that I will then have to switch and communicate with my DS in English but that we should continue to celebrate our cultural holidays/music etc in Spanish. ***** !?!?!??!!?

I am not going to stop speaking to my DS in Spanish. It is incredibly important to DH and I that DS speak Spanish. I'm at a loss as to what to do.

I just found out on Saturday that my DH was a late talker and started talking at age 2 (so I guess this explains DS' delay). DS has great receptive language, understands mostly everything we say to him and is learning to identify letters (he started playing with them on his own and can find the letter "M" or "X" etc if you ask him to)

What do you think about what the EI person said/suggested? How in the world can he benefit from speech therapy in a language he barely knows? Do I hold off and hope he's just a late talker?

Message edited 5/11/2011 12:59:57 PM.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

First off, how frustrating

Here's my take on it - I've heard many a time that children who are bilingual from day 1 can have some speech delays, but once they really start, off they go! I know it's frustrating and even though my DS is only 14 months, we are also a bilingual household. We speak mostly english to him, but my MIL watches him 3 days a week and ONLY speaks spanish to him those days. DS doesn't have many words at all, but he's not at an age where it's really a concern yet I guess.

I was born here in the US, but didn't speak a word of english until I started kindergarten since my parents only spoke spanish. And I had no delays etc. I know of a lot of people like this. So even if you started speaking mostly english, I don't think he won't speak spanish at all later on. But I do think it's easier to pick up english later since that's all he'll really speak at school, KWIM? I don't really know what the best thing is here, maybe someone will have better insight.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Speaking only from a parent whose DS is getting speech due to a delay, i can tell you that in Suffolk County, all of my agency's SLPs are (over) booked. We have been having scheduling issues and asked to have our current SLP switched because one of the days was just not working out. It has been a month and there is no replacement in sight. Current CLP said that a lot of positions open up in August when children age out into the school system.

If you dont mind sharing also, did your DS qualify for speech soley because of his quantity of words? DS is 19 months and has no words but I was told that if his receptive wasnt so low he would not have qualified until he was 2.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

SLP here.

Not surprising that he is a little "delayed" expressively, being from a bilingual household. I wouldn't listen to the EI coordinator about pretty much anything she said. There are SO MANY agencies out there and I am sure that 1 of them had bilingual SLPs that will provide the service. And as for you speaking to him in English...that's ridiculous, and quite honestly in my opinion, a little disrespectful of her to say to you.

I would continue to do what you are doing and take the time to find an agency to will provide a bilingual therapist. I assure you that they are out there...in all counties.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

My sons(twins) ae 2.5 and just started with the word explosion. At 19 months they had about 60 words and their receptive speech was awesome. Why is he considered speech delayed?

Oops I'm sorry-misread your post

Message edited 5/11/2011 1:58:47 PM.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Posted by Domino

If you dont mind sharing also, did your DS qualify for speech soley because of his quantity of words? DS is 19 months and has no words but I was told that if his receptive wasnt so low he would not have qualified until he was 2.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Message edited 5/11/2011 2:17:14 PM.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

bumping for the night crew to see if there are any more opinions out there

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Don't listen to the EI coordinator. I was told I would NEVER find a certified prompt therapist this time of year. Even less for 3 SESSIONS per week. Well, I did!

As far as delay in bilingual household. That's very common!

That being said, DS' issue were too big for me to keep to speak any other language than English. So I was told by a few SLPs to stop speaking a foreign language as it would too confusing for him. I was very disappointed. I used to speak French to DS regularly until he was 18 months.

Speak to a few SLPs.

Re: SLP's, please come in, I am confused, frustrated, infuriated...

Here's is my 2 cents.

My DH is the smartest human I know, it was my qualification for marrying him. He's a passionate and IMO one of the best in his field, on top of new research, mentors and at his relatively young age knocks the socks off me.

He didn't speak a word till 2. And the first phrase he could say was "I can't say that" of which he used a lot MIL says, before he even had 5 words. He really didn't speak much till he learned to read at 4. There is nothing lacking in his abilities as an adult. He's outgoing, beautiful person, genius in every way. His brother is slightly inferior () but he was also a very late talker. Both successful, kind, social, outgoing people.

We are raising DS bilingual. DH speaks Russian I speak English. Its 50/50 considering our parents speak Russian and watch DS a lot. I was worried about being bilingual and his speech abilities holding him back socially. Honestly I notice boys on the playground don't talk much, even if they can talk. My 14m old plays with 3 year olds and they have no problem communicating in their way. The girls on the other hand, really different, you can really see a difference its amazing.

I wouldn't worry if I were you. Not much is really understood about how the bilingual language develops from what I've been reading. Its terrible for the therapist to suggest you stop speaking Spanish, if its something so important to you. I wouldn't. IMO they aren't qualified.

I would instead, learn what the therapist do. Mimic the techniques best you can in Spanish. Understand what causes speech delays or what prevents them. Turn off the TV and read a lot ... or something like that. Take it upon yourself. That's what I would do. But I'm very pro-active try to figure it out myself kind of person.

If you are a 70/30 Spanish household, I'd keep the same focus. All our immigrant friends say why even bother teaching English, kids learn English in school and excel, they also fear the delay if taught 2 languages. But I think there is more to it, I think there is something in that delay that is bigger and deeper that we don't get yet. The brain is making connections in so many ways its beautiful, keep going!