Brittany Said:

Toddler Speech Delay.. help?

We Answered:

My son (Jacob) is 2 and he is also in speech therapy. He has been in since September, so it's only been almost 3 months that he's been getting speech. He is making improvements already. He is saying parts of animal sounds, some vowel and consonant sounds, and uses some sign language. His speech teacher is wonderful and Jacob really likes her. She comes to our home 2 times a week for an hour each time. She also gives me "homework" to do with him...usually to work on a specific sound or task. It isn't just the time he is at speech that matters to him developing his language...it is a constant learning process. It needs to be worked on while he's not at speech therapy as well. If you don't work with him then it's almost like wiping out his therapy and any work/progress he has made.

Remember to be patient...it takes time and all kids are different. My son is grasping more than some kids, but less than others. Good luck!!

Christine Said:

Speech delay in Toddler?

We Answered:

My child was diagnosed with a speech delay at 17 months old by the people at Infants and Toddlers. We went through the program with absolutely no progress in his speech.

Then out of nowhere, at 3 years old, he started talking. When he did start talking, he was very clear. He made up for lost time by learning lots of new words each day. I also have to wonder if he was waiting until he felt he could do it right, before doing it at all. He's 6 years old now, and no longer considered delayed in speech.

In retrospect, I think it was as you said, each child develops differently... and the one standard rule probably makes it seem as if more children are delayed than there would be actually if the long-term picture could be taken into account with these evaluations. Those evaluations just take a look at a snapshot of where your child is, and where most children are. It doesn't mean that will always be the case.

Annie Said:

Any moms also have a toddler with speech delay AND oral motor problems like my son?

We Answered:

Hi there, I'm a speech pathologist and I worked in Early Intervention for quite some time.

His oral-motor issues should have been addressed by the speech therapist who wrote the report and IFSP goals. You can easily call your service coordinator and have them schedule a meeting in order to reconvene the IFSP. Oral-motor skills are an integral part of language development.

Here in NYC, if a child needs feeding therapy, the IFSP will state: speech with feeding. However, if the state is giving you a hard time, make sure you address your child's oral motor difficulties when he starts speech therapy.

Also, keep in mind that there are major differences between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist. Oral-motor and feeding therapy are not within the scope of practice of a speech therapist--only speech pathologists (SLP) can conduct such services. Make sure you get an SLP for your child. :)

The child might just be getting twice a week services for 30 minutes, right? Additional therapy will be beneficial if you can get it via insurance....Also realize that parental involvement is a big thing. Take into practice what the SLP has taught you (when your son starts, of course) and apply it into your everyday activities. All therapy activities have to be FUNCTIONAL for the child.

If you have further questions or need more specific information, please feel free to contact me. :)

Phillip Said:

what are some signs of speech delay toddlers?

We Answered:

My son started 2 different types of speech therapy when he was 2, so just because your son is only 2.5 doesn't mean he doesn't need it or that you shouldn't do it. Let your son be tested and go from there, if he needs it, it is best to start as early as you can.

good luck.