Beatrice Said:

Any doctors who have new techniques in treating speech delay in children? Parent looking -- second opnion?

We Answered:

I have two 5 year old who is very speech delayed and a three year old also with the same problem. . Have you try to get a speech therapist all my kids have one. It helps out a lot. They also get speech at school.

Heidi Said:

Tubes in speech delayed children?

We Answered:

My niece had tubes put in her ears when she was two also because she was not talking one bit and yes the change was incredible! She had to go through kindergarten twice because she was still slightly behind the other kids with her speech at that point but the initial outcome of the procedure was really great. She is now in the fourth grade and has no signs of ever having had a rough start. Best Wishes to you and your daughter =)

Travis Said:

What is autism? What is a tongue tie? Can it delay speech in children?

We Answered:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Benjamin Said:

speech delay - hearing, physical or neurological?

We Answered:

My son had some speech delays and was very difficult to understand. We got him evaluated and he qualified for services until he turned three. If you contact your local schools, they will most likely have a free program in place through for children to be evaluated. At least you would get peace of mind. We were even able to get a free hearing test for my son, which was very nice!

He was normal for his hearing, but was not eating enough varied textures in his diet to build up muscle strength. We also had him drinking from a sippie cup too much, which I guess can delay muscle tone in the mouth.

Try having him drink everything through straws to build muscle tone in his lips and mouth. Increase more textures in his diet to help as well. If he is a picky eater you can check out some tips for helping with this at http://www.child-behavior-guide.com/pick…

Also, try holding objects next to your mouth while saying the object's name a few times to encourage him to look at your mouth and how you are saying the word. This helps him to see how to say the word, which is how a child learns to speak with more articulation.

I don't think it hurts to get him evaluated because they'll either say he is fine and you'll feel better or they can give him services which benefit him in the long run. I'm sure he must have tantrums a lot because he has a hard time communicating his wants and needs, so this would help immensely to relieve that stress.

Good luck!

Ian Said:

Know any 24 hour/extended hour daycare in the fort worth, texas area good with children speech delays?

We Answered:

I don't know about 24-hour or extended child care, but I have some cousins in Ft. Worth, and one of them, and her dad, are in education (well, not in Ft. Worth, in Azle). They may know who you could contact. I don't know, is there a way you could send me a message on this thing if you wanted me to find out more, without my having to put my email address for all to see?

My little boy had speech delays (he's five and still struggles a lot with language). Did you ever have your child tested with ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)? In Texas, ECI and local school systems work together to work with special needs children (even mild) from birth if they need it, all the way up until kindergarten and beyond. They'll evaluate your child, and determine at what level he is on all the points of development, then work out a plan of action with you. They offer speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and more, depending on what is needed. And unlike private therapy, it's free.

ECI works with kids from infancy to three-years-old, and your local school district takes over once they're three. Depending on the need, the situation, how overworked the speech pathologist is, and the policies of the school district, some speech therapists will go out to whatever daycare your child is at. Since your son is three, you could contact ECI and find out what to do, or call the administration building for your local school district, and ask to speak with someone in the special education department, or to the speech pathologist.

I mention that because I know how difficult it is to find a daycare for a child with special needs (particularly speech-related problems). We've found a good one (we're in Longview), but it's a regular 6-to-6 daycare, and he gets speech therapy during the day a few times a week.

If you combine the sources of an extended hour daycare and the speech therapy of a local school, you may get the outcome you're looking for. I would imagine a lot of the extended hour daycares, while still good quality childcare, may not have the convenience you're needing (longer hours) AND someone who is really great with kids with speech delays.

I know how stressful all that is. I'm just amazed, I know I'd have never had enough sanity to work two jobs, go to school, and have a preschooler. God bless!

Clayton Said:

parents of speech delayed children only?

We Answered:

I think its expected for her to be frustrated if she has typically developing receptive (understanding) language skills but is limited on how she can express herself. When my son was in speech therapy we used a combination of pictures and sign language to help him be better able to express himself.

I also work in special education and my state's early intervention system (infant and toddler services). We often use multiple modes of communication to help bridge spoken language for young children. All of the research shows that using picture communication systems and sign language help children remediate language delays faster (even though some people might think that it causes children to not talk).

Talk with your speech therapist and phsyician about ways IN ADDITION to working on speech that you can help your daughter let her make her wants,needs, and feelings be known.

Also research has shown that children with language delays are more at risk for developing challenging behaviors (biting, hitting etc) since they have higher frustration and limited ways to express.

Hang in there...it sounds like you are already connected with resources to support you through this time. She will make progress in her own time.. and you will enjoy her successes when they happen.

My son (after nearly 5 years of therapy) still has some minor issues but to most people (including his preschool teachers) would never guess that he needed intensive therapy from the time he was 9 months old until he turned three. So all of the work you are doing now will eventually pay off.