Hello! Speech Delay/preschool/24 months Long!

1017Shannon

Hi to all! I was pleasantly surprised to find other moms on here with kiddos with speech delay, and have found comfort in that.

my son is 24 months and has been diagnosed with just a speech delay. He has no words, but babbles. He has had 5 half hour speech therapy sessions in the last month and a half and was taking to them really well, and is starting to repeat more sounds.

then he was accepted to preschool by the county in a four day, two and a half hour preschool class, and would continue with one half hour of speech therapy a week in the classroom with a different speech therapist. Let me tell you, he has only been to preschool two days but it is AWFUL!

he cried the whole time, and all of a sudden won't go to bed awake by himself, won't let me go to the bathroom.or out of the room without crying. The teachers say this is normal but I don't think I can do it.

So I guess my question is, if he has no other issues besides a speech delay, and doesn't really need the preschool, would you continue on with it or just go back to speech? This is awful and I feel after a month of progress we are going backwards. Thoughts welcome. Thanks!

funchicken

Hi! We don't do speech therapy, but my younger DD started preschool (at 2.5) in September, and, at that age most of the kids needed a month or even a little longer to adjust to the transition. There were a lot of tears at the beginning, but the teachers were very good with helping the kids adjust. Even last year when DD1 did pre-k there were a few kids who cried at drop-off for a couple of weeks. I know it's heart-breaking to see them so upset, but it's a normal part of learning to separate from us. I think it would be good to give it some more time if you can. Talk to the teachers and see if they can ease your mind a bit. Speech therapy in combination with being around peers will probably be really beneficial.

kcisthebombdotcom

It might not be the popular opinion but I would hold off on preschool for a bit. Separation anxiety commonly peaks again at two and if I had a choice I wouldn't want that to be my child's first school experience. Assuming he is age appropriate in all other areas of development, he is getting speech through an slp and you're able to work a lot with him at home I'd pull him and reconsider closer to 2.5. We started a speech group where the children separated from parents for an hour at that age and ds did great.

1017Shannon

Thanks both for your replies. It is so hard to make a "right" decision when you just don't know what's right!! I think since he JUST turned two not even a month ago, and he is making small strides with just speech therapy, I may take him out of preschool until April ish. When he is two and a half. We will see how this week goes at school! Thanks ladies good luck and please keep in touch!

HopeAlive3

That's exciting that your little man's shown improvement with his speech! I'm sorry about the preschool troubles though. To be honest, I thought preschools start kids around 3 or 4 years old? Do most kids start preschool at such a young age? 

brachysira

People in my moms' group think 3 is early to start preschool.  I went when I was 3 and 4, and I always cried a lot and begged to not go.  The people were nice, but I was not ready.  I didn't like hugs from adults, and was terrified to talk.  My brother loved his preschool and cried when it was time to leave.  I think if your DS hates it, you don't have to send him.  Maybe go to a playgroup where you and other moms are present or something to help him adjust to more interactions and get out more.  I don't think you miss out on anything by not going to preschool when you are 2, and certainly not if you are upset the whole time.  Plus, since you are getting speech, if there are things he might get at preschool to help his speech, you can hopefully learn them from the therapist and do them at home.

funchicken

I think it just depends on where you live.  We live outside DC, and I know lots of people who start part-time preschool at two.  There are tons of programs that start at two, as well.  DD1 started at a little over 2, and DD2 started at 2 and a half.  Both of them adjusted really well, and they both seemed ready when I started them.

1017Shannon

@hopealive3...it is an early intervention preschool through the city. It is him and three other kids. It is only for two year olds. Then they get evaluated again at three and go from there.

he did great today...he cried when I left (which made me bawl like a baby when I got to my car) but then was fine! I think we will give it through the end of the year and then decide.

oh the fun of being a parent and these decisions!!! Thanks for the advice ladies...i know now whatever I decide hopefully won't be detrimental to my baby!!

HopeAlive3

Oh I see. I'm glad he did better! I know that's not easy to leave when you're baby's upset... It sounds like with time, you both will get more used to it.  

1017Shannon said:

@hopealive3...it is an early intervention preschool through the city. It is him and three other kids. It is only for two year olds. Then they get evaluated again at three and go from there. he did great today...he cried when I left (which made me bawl like a baby when I got to my car) but then was fine! I think we will give it through the end of the year and then decide. oh the fun of being a parent and these decisions!!! Thanks for the advice ladies...i know now whatever I decide hopefully won't be detrimental to my baby!!