Speech Therapy??

clp1027

If your DC was referred for speech therapy, what was the criteria for EI?? I'm starting to worry about DS's speech. He only says 9 words now. He still doesn't call us mama or dada and won't repeat things back to me at all. I know he can hear me just fine and the few words he does say, he mimics my tone of voice. How many words should an almost 2 y/o say?

SenoraKristin

My friend is a pediatric speech therapist and guidelines she gave me were - 2 years old, 50 words and 2 word sentences.

 

clp1027

Oh boy, sounds like we're headed for speech therapy!

brideatbeach

I would talk to your pedi about this and maybe have them evaluate him. But for what it is worth dh's nephew never really started talking untill he was about 2.5yrs old. His vocab consisted of like 5 words but you could tell he fully understood everything you said to him. He will come around.

brideatbeach

SenoraKristin:

My friend is a pediatric speech therapist and guidelines she gave me were - 2 years old, 50 words and 2 word sentences.

This also. My degree is in speech. But like I said talk to your pedi and get his opinion.

k8elee03

Hey there...I don't have a good answer for you, but I just wanted to say that we miss you on the WCF board :-)

I do think I'd take my LO in for an evaluation if I were you, but I would also try really hard not to stress too much and remind myself that there is a huuuge range in language development. Also, FWIW, the words "mama" and "dada" were not Lily's first. They actually only showed up recently. She said "duck" before she called me "mama."

IDK if you already have a speech therapist or not, but there are two moms at Lily's daycare who are speech pathologists and they're awesome.

Bride2bMO

My son is about the same age and is at about the same progress. He has said up to 10 words, but doesn't use them often. He babbles all day long and is extremely vocal, but just doesn't try to repeat words. But yes, he understands a LOT. My pediatrician said it's about a 6 month delay, not enough for EI. But I have Parents as Teachers coming Monday and one thing they will look at is speech, so they can refer for EI if they disagree with pedi.

susanmosley

It's not usually a "criteria" or checklist that warrants or does not warrant ST.  There are the milestones that suggest there could be an issue, but the ST makes a judgement call based on a lot of other factors.  That is why they went to school and have an education in this...they assess each individual child.  They don't just look at a list, check the boxes, then count them up and a certain number = ST.  If you have concerns, have them come out.  Sounds as though your child may be able to benefit from intervention. But, as we all know, the range of normal is quite large, so this could just be his developmental trajectory.

GL 

susanmosley

Bride2bMO:

My son is about the same age and is at about the same progress. He has said up to 10 words, but doesn't use them often. He babbles all day long and is extremely vocal, but just doesn't try to repeat words. But yes, he understands a LOT. My pediatrician said it's about a 6 month delay, not enough for EI. But I have Parents as Teachers coming Monday and one thing they will look at is speech, so they can refer for EI if they disagree with pedi.

Sorry to butt in.  Just think about this.  If a child is 24 months, a 6 month delay is pretty significant.  It is 1/4th of their life.  A 6 month delay at this age IS enough for EI.  An 8 year old functioning at a 6 year old level would be a big issue.  KWIM? 

susanmosley

https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/12.htm

 Here is a link to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association's website.  They are the governing board for all speech language pathologists and audiologists.

The 2 word combinations and 50 words by 24 months is a pretty standard guideline.  Remember though, it isn't a magic number that a child either passes or fails the criteria.  For example, if they don't have 50 words, but have a varied vocabulary (different types of words), good intent, consistent language growth, an age appropriate repertoire of sounds, etc., they may not need ST. 

Bride2bMO

susanmosley:

Bride2bMO:

My son is about the same age and is at about the same progress. He has said up to 10 words, but doesn't use them often. He babbles all day long and is extremely vocal, but just doesn't try to repeat words. But yes, he understands a LOT. My pediatrician said it's about a 6 month delay, not enough for EI. But I have Parents as Teachers coming Monday and one thing they will look at is speech, so they can refer for EI if they disagree with pedi.

Sorry to butt in.  Just think about this.  If a child is 24 months, a 6 month delay is pretty significant.  It is 1/4th of their life.  A 6 month delay at this age IS enough for EI.  An 8 year old functioning at a 6 year old level would be a big issue.  KWIM? 

No, I agree with you. He was just saying that you only qualify for EI (maybe just in my state?) if the delay is 50% or greater. But it does concern me a great deal so I'm going for a second opinion. Because really, a pediatrician is not a speech therapist so I don't feel that he is qualified to assess or quantify the amount of delay.  Perhaps I could privately pay for it if the delay is less than 50%, though speech therapy is supposedly insanely expensive. But it would be worth it.

susanmosley

Bride2bMO:

susanmosley:

Bride2bMO:

My son is about the same age and is at about the same progress. He has said up to 10 words, but doesn't use them often. He babbles all day long and is extremely vocal, but just doesn't try to repeat words. But yes, he understands a LOT. My pediatrician said it's about a 6 month delay, not enough for EI. But I have Parents as Teachers coming Monday and one thing they will look at is speech, so they can refer for EI if they disagree with pedi.

Sorry to butt in.  Just think about this.  If a child is 24 months, a 6 month delay is pretty significant.  It is 1/4th of their life.  A 6 month delay at this age IS enough for EI.  An 8 year old functioning at a 6 year old level would be a big issue.  KWIM? 

No, I agree with you. He was just saying that you only qualify for EI (maybe just in my state?) if the delay is 50% or greater. But it does concern me a great deal so I'm going for a second opinion. Because really, a pediatrician is not a speech therapist so I don't feel that he is qualified to assess or quantify the amount of delay.  Perhaps I could privately pay for it if the delay is less than 50%, though speech therapy is supposedly insanely expensive. But it would be worth it.

yes, it is really expensive.  And usually insurance only covers therapy if it is deemed "medically necessary."  What you are describing is a developmental delay (normal trajectory, not medical issue that has caused it, just behind).  However, most insurance companies will pay for an initial evaluation.  You may be able to get some good info just having the eval.  Also, you could have EI out without a prescription from the pedi and see what they say.  I am a pediatric speech therapist just in case you are wondering why I am acting like I know everything    GL!

clp1027

Thanks for the info everyone and Kate, I might want some more info if we are referred.

BTW, are you going to the GTG tomorrow? I was hoping to make it to this one. Cam's birthday party is tomorrow from 11-1, so if Joey gets to nap early enough, I'll be there.