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Toddlers: 24 Months+
Speech Delay
I'm starting to be concerned with DS's speech delay. He can only put two words together at a time right now (not including 'mama'). And strangers can only understand about half of what he says. Sometimes even I can't understand what he says! I feel a little crazy, because my parents don't seem too worried about it. And at his 3year wellness appointment, the doctor didn't even seem too concerned. He said that a speech therapist would just do with him what I do with him everyday. Like encouraging him to use his words and what not. But I think it's starting to affect him. He is definitely in his terrible 3s, but I think it's worse then it would be because, he can't express himself properly. I knew early on that he was behind in speech and I used to be okay with it. I used to tell people that it was the only part of him that was still a baby and now I feel so guilty for saying that! Do any of you have experience with this? Would speech therapy be worth it or is the doctor right? I know all kids develope at different rates, so is he just 'normal' behind or too much behind? TIA!
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Re: Speech Delay
Call your school district and ask for an evaluation from the special ed department.
An evaluation can't hurt.
My daughter received speech therapy for a year and a half, and she responded well to treatment.
I agree call the school district and more than likely they will perform an eval. Tim's speech therapist said at 3 about 75-80% of what they say at 3 should be understood by unfamiliar listeners. If there is a significant delay ( they will let you know if they do an eval) than it's best to start services as soon as possible. The sooner you start the sooner they can caught up.
Your son sounds a lot like my Timmy with speech delays. Good luck!
I would definitly call for an eval. my DD is considered speech delayed and similar in age but speaks in full sentences (or at least 4-5 word phrases)...but can be hard to understand and needs reminding to use her words.
only an eval with a ST can determine if you LO is delayed...but I would call.
I agree with this. Three of my children have received speech at some point (before Kindergarten) DS1 had the largest delay (no words at 2 years old) and it did affect him because he was unable to communicate with other children, thus stunting his "social development".
DD had a speech eval about a month ago because she was saying quite a few single words, but not putting them together. She was still grunting and pointing for things she wanted even though she knows the words. DD ended up qualifying not only for Speech but also for Develeopmental Therapy. I was so skeptical about the Developmental Therapy, but am so glad we are moving forward with both therapies. She's only had a few sessions, but I've seen a dramatic improvement.
I agree with PP's about calling your school district for an eval. Let the experts determine if it's normal development or if there's a delay. It's better to get the help early then waiting until it impacts your DS's school performance.
I honestly think you should consider switching pediatricians.
On their second birthday if kids aren't pairing 2 words together and have at least 50 words they should be evaluated by a speech therapist. A kid at three that's still at that 2 year milestone is a cause for concern. Yes, you should get speech therapy--after you switch pediatricians. Speech therapists have tricks and know what sounds develop earliest/which ones later and activties to target those sounds. They can diagnose if there's an articulation/phonological disorder driving the speech delays which a pediatrician can't do. If a kid has a problem with articulation/forming sentences just talking to him isn't going to make it magically go away. Your pedi is an idiot.
Here's some more information. Your child should be speaking in 4 (or more) word sentences. Kids should be fairly intelligible even to an unfamiliar listener by their third birthday as well.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx
Yes, you absolutely can contact the school district even though he isn't in school yet. They'll do an eval. I agree with others that I would be looking for a new pedi. Good luck!
Usually Early Intervention (that's what it's called in NYS, it has different names in different states) goes up to three years old. Then CPSE (not sure if this is just NYS or not) takes over at 3 years old and does pre-school through school age children. DD2 will be three in February. She started in EI, but she has to "transfer" now. They do all the evals and meet before her birthday to switch over. Sine your LO is a;ready 3, just call your school district.
Some other things to do in the meantime go for a hearing check with an audiologist who specializes in kids and also look under his tongue and make sure he doesn't have a short frenulum tongue tied which could effect how words and sounds are formed... Another way to check this is to have him stick his tongue out at you and to have him try to touch his tongue to his nose, if his frenulum is short he will barely get his tongue out of his mouth and it will be obvious.
GL!