Any Canadian Moms with Speech Experience?

sandraanddrew

My son will be 2 next month and has very limited speech, about 10 words that he uses regularly.  Our Family doctor was concerned at his 18 month appt (as was I since I brought it up to him) and so we were referred to a pediatrician in our area.  He sent us for a hearing assessment for DS which came back completely normal.  We are now referred to Preschool Speech and Language for assessment.  When I called to find out about how long until he was seen, I was told the wait list for our area is 10-12 months just for assessment.  Which puts him being assessed Feb- March 2013! 

We are in a small area in Ontario, where there are no private speech therapists.  I am just looking for advice or encouragement from other Canadian parents, or to find out what your experiences were like.  I am very worried that he is going to slip through the cracks and not get any help he may need.   

gimmietimmies

Yes, speech experience here (amongst other things). DS had to have speech therapy until he was 11, due to being intubated in hospital so many times.

I think from what I can find is that because your ds doesn't have a hearing impairment, he's being investigated for a speech/language disorder, he's being referred to the preschool program, correct? So the wait would have him at an appropriate age for services.

Don't worry, your ds won't fall through the cracks. Theyl set up for speech therapy in school and the good news is that you have access to JK in Ontario, so you'll get services earlier that we would. There's lots of time to work with him and he'll be able to do that through the school until he's able to meet the criteria for being discharged from their services.

Hang in there, it seems like a long wait!

ridesbuttons

Both my boys attended speech therapy.

I live in a town of less than 20000 people and there are a few options here.  We don't have a pediatrician in town, but we do have speech therapists.  Talk to your doctor again about resources in your area.  I'd look into Family social services in your area (whatever they are called) for resources as well.  Locally here we have Community Living and One Children's Place, both offer speech at no charge.

I have also used private speech therpay which has been wonderful for both my kids (and me).  Google speech therapy and your general area, you might find a therapist who comes to a nearby town once a week.  My therapist services quite a large geographical area.

At the age of 2 neither one of my kids had more than 10 words.  Now, my 5 year old is about to graduate JK with no one ever suspecting he was a late talker.  My 3.5 year old is 'caught up' and we are about to take the summer off and re-evaluate in the fall.  Speech therapy is wonderful!!!