Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

18mo and less than 15words..

Seems that bothers my pedi *shrug*

She's very good at identify objects and knows what they are when asked to point them out or get it. Plus a handful or more she can understand in both english and spanish.

But she doesn't speak the words.

We were told to concentrate on one word this week. Repeat it over and over and over in little sentences and play acting etc.

This week's word: Shoe

Progress: none

She looks at me like Im crazy "yeah mom, here's my shoe, what are you trying to do" Maybe I'm just a lil pessimistic but I don't think this is working very well. We were told one word a week then at a month's time she needs to have grasped 2 or 3 and by two months' time she needs to have learned at least 6.

Otherwise we need to see her about speech therapy. So my husband asked how does that even work and since I know you ladies are so knowledgeable I figured I'd ask here.

TIA

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

NYC has early intervention program.....does LI have a similar one?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

The way it works here (LI) is that you can call the county department of health, who runs the early intervention program and request an evaluation if they are under 3. If they are over 3, the school district is who you would call. Ask your DD's daycare who you would call there - mine was pretty helpful with this stuff.

My DS gets speech and while the focusing on one word thing may be a good idea, I would start with a different word. DS's therapist told me the best way to encourage words is to try to get him to use words for the things he wants, like milk, cookie, etc. He also learned a few signs to help communicate to me what he wants, with the goal of eventually having him say the word. He has signed "open" for a long time - many months - and is now finally saying the word "open".

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

honestly 15 words at 18 months sounds fine. My nephew had no recognizable words at 20 months and he barely qualified for services.

and kids that are learning 2 languages are often slower in there language development.

Message edited 3/5/2010 9:09:33 AM.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Every state has EI programs, though coverage varies. I know in NY state if your child qualifies for services, they are paid for by the state if insurance does not pay (often they do not for things like speech delays).

Did your pediatrician tell you who to call? It varies, I had to contact the county dept. of health.

I am not sure from your post if you mean she understands fewer than 15 words or is speaking fewer than 15, but if your ped. thinks you should have an evaluation, it really can't hurt. The therapists have all these fun techniques to encourage children to speak, and it's helpful to see what they do, and I think most kids have fun with the evaluation. They bring lots of toys, and it's play centered.

As for choosing words to encourage her to use, I would work on something that might mean something to her, a different word than shoe. DS has speech therapy and when it started, the therapist encouraged him to say or sign more, all done, give me, help me, etc. Help me was a godsend--so many tantrums saved once he could say something resembling those words and we understood he wanted help. Oh and open--everytime he wanted to check out one of her toys, he had to try and say open, it came out more like Opah in the beginning, but it was a start, and I think it helped him make a connection that words can get you things you want. A lot of people say to encourage them to say juice or milk before you give them something to drink, but that didn't work for us at all--we got the blank stare you describe.

Good luck! She is probably fine, though maybe she will need some therapy and help articulating words.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Message edited 3/5/2010 9:17:45 AM.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

I'll clarify she does not SPEAK more than about 10 words right now.

She UNDERSTANDS dozens more though.

Yeah, I think i can try juice next week. I dont want to mess with this week just in case.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Call EI and get an evaluation. It's a simple process.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

My neice didn't say anything till she was 3 years old. she is a very bright and smart kid! She started sentences right away at 3. They all learn differently. as long as she understands what you are saying, I wouldn't be concerned. She is only 18 months old. Maybe at 20 months she will be saying 100 words!

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by lbelle821

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by MrsFlatbread

Posted by Xelindrya

She UNDERSTANDS dozens more though.

I think comprehension is more important at this age than actually verbalizing. EI can only help not hurt. Good luck to you!

True, but she should also listen to her ped

I think you should get the evaluation anyway because your ped. is recommending it. Personally I think it is a little early. Comprehension really is more important than verbalizing like AP said.

From experience though I almost think that at 15 months she might not qualify because she is young and would need to show a 33% delay in one area. The expectations are low at 15 months so a 33% delay might be hard to meet. At 18 months the expectation goes up. Just something to keep in mind.

I think she's 18mos...

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Do they have EI in Texas that is similar to NY? I know one of my close friend's DD is bilingual and it took her a while to have many words when she was around the same age as AJ. Now at 4.5 years old, she is fluent in both English and Spanish with no issues!

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Call the county as PP said. They will come to your home to do the eval. It's pretty simple.

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

Posted by Xelindrya

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by lbelle821

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by MrsFlatbread

Posted by Xelindrya

She UNDERSTANDS dozens more though.

I think comprehension is more important at this age than actually verbalizing. EI can only help not hurt. Good luck to you!

True, but she should also listen to her ped

I think you should get the evaluation anyway because your ped. is recommending it. Personally I think it is a little early. Comprehension really is more important than verbalizing like AP said.

From experience though I almost think that at 15 months she might not qualify because she is young and would need to show a 33% delay in one area. The expectations are low at 15 months so a 33% delay might be hard to meet. At 18 months the expectation goes up. Just something to keep in mind.

I think she's 18mos...

yep 18mo

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?

I had Rylan evaluated at 18 months because he had 0 words and couldn't point out or identify objects. He didn't qualify which I thought was strange. Now at 23 months he has more words than I can ever count...knows all letters of the alphabet...numbers 1-10...his colors and shapes.

I say 15 words is amazing at 18 months!!!

Re: Speech Therapy Eval? How does this work?