Albert Said:

My 2 year old doesn't talk well. Does he need speech therapy again?

We Answered:

I am a speech therapist with more than 25 years in this field (and a mom of 3 sons). I suspect that when your son had his first trial of therapy he may have been too young, or that his therapists did not quite know what to do. I had NEVER seen a young chld make no progress at all. How long did they try? If he is only 2, his courses of therapy could not have been too long.

I am glad he is learning new words.

I suggest that you read through this web site and see where he fits in. If you think he is still behind, it is important to get him the right kind of help. He should be eligible for Early Intervention services (Birth to Three).

You are welcome to email me directly on Y!A.

Here is the web site for starters.

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/develo…

Lewis Said:

Where can I get speech therapy for my 2 year old on sliding scale in San Jose, CA? We have limited income.?

We Answered:

In California we have Regional Centers which provide free services to children aged birth to 3 if they qualify. Contact them and request a speech and language pathology evaluation. If your 2year old shows a significant delay he/she will receive ongoing therapy. ALL EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES ARE 100% FREE.

The website for your local regional center:

http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rc365.cfm

Karen Said:

Question about my 2 year old daughters speech?

We Answered:

I have a 5-year-old with autism (he does speak, but at a very delayed level), and a 26-month-old with a speech delay. I also have a typical 4-year-old. So I've got some speech experience under my belt, but only as a parent.

One of the things that has worked well with my 2-year-old is to use "script" play. I choose a game or activity that is simple and that we can do over and over. It is better to pick something that can only be done one way. One thing I chose was going down the slide (we have a small one in the living room). I'd put her at the top, then say "Weee!" as she came down. She'd get off and I'd point to the slide and say "Slide." Then I'd say "Want more?" Then we'd just do the whole thing over and over and over and over. She'd laugh when I said "slide" because she anticipated it. Once we'd done the whole thing a number of times, I started leaving phrases or words out to see if she would fill them in. Sometimes I'd help her and sometimes I wouldn't. After awhile she would fill in more and more of the script. The speech therapist said this is a great way to help her, and it did work well for us.

Another example of this with a piggy bank toy: Hand her a coin and say "Put IN." Have her put it in and maybe count the coin as it goes in. Repeat for several coins. Then to have her open it up, knock on the reservoir area and say "Knock, knock! Open it!" Then open it up and as you are removing coins, say "Take OUT." Then repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

Try to use very concise language at this point. Require her to request items, even if it is just with an "Mmmmm" sound for milk, for instance. Model appropriate words (she is banging a toy because she is frustrated, so you say, "I need HELP!" or "Help, Mama!").

We also have had a lot of luck with music. My daughter loves songs. So I sing the same set of songs to her before nap and bedtime. After awhile I started leaving out some words and looking at her expectantly to get her to fill them in. At first she got mad at me but I stuck with it and now she sings along with me for many parts of the songs, and she walks around the house singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

Start by working up how many labels she knows, but then quickly start modeling lots of two word phrases and make sure you put in lots of verbs. So you might start out making her say "Milk?" when she wants milk, but then move on to "Want milk." Take out some dolls and a doll house and show "Daddy Sleeping" or "Mommy eating."

It is good that your daughter is showing she understands you receptively (when you tell her something, she appears to understand).

Good luck!

Erica Said:

When/how should I tell my 2 year old that he's getting a new speech therapist?

We Answered:

I would tell him now, too. He really needs to try and prepare for it even though he may not understand. Oh, especially if he is so attached, that makes me sad! Let him make her something or get her a bye bye present and turn him metting a new person into a positive experience. Get him to make his new teacher a hello gift or pick something out the same time he picks out his bye bye present. Oh I feel for him and you too!