Doctor Says My Daughter Needs Speech Intervention

Hi M.,
At my sons 24 month appointment they asked me if he was saying between 300-500 words...I laughed and said "he says between 3 and 5 maybe". The doctor asked me if I was concerned. I asked her if I should be and she told me that if I'm not concerned she isn't and that they would wait and see how he's doing at his 3 year appointment. We will be going to his 3 year appointment in June and he's a total chatterbox now...the kid is rarely quiet! Every child learns at their own pace. I was worried because my daughter was speaking full sentences well before she was 2 and he wasn't so I thought that something had to be wrong and now look...he's fine. I think they tend to jump the gun a bit with all this speech therapy talk...
Hope this helps!

S.

Hello, my response to you is DON'T WORRY, not every kid is the same, or in their "normal" range. My son started going to a developmental preschool class when he was 3 because he still only said one word (mama). He was "normal" in every other way. After about 6 months of help at school he started talking and completely skipped the "mimicing or parroting" stage and the one word talk, he went right to full sentences. Now he is in the 2nd grade and has been a straight A student since he started kindergarten. Some kids just aren't ready to talk, she may be just like my son...very observant, knows exactly what's going on, and has all the thoughts in her head, she just isn't ready to share them yet.

I believe you should go with the recommendation of your physician. If your daughter needed therapy (medication) for an infection you would do it. When you choose a physician you put your trust in that person, who has been trained and knows what milestones your daughter should be hitting. Typically when a child starts therapy, they will be tested and the therapist will consult with you. If your daughter doesn't need therapy you should be told at that time.

I worked with 3-5 year olds who qualified for speech therapy through the public school system. Being able to communicate effectively with their parents, siblings and playmates really opened new worlds for them.

There are a lot of things you can be doing at home to help your daughter's language development. If you choose not to put her in therapy, at the very least ask your pediatrician about stimulating her development by activities at home, or do some research online.

On a positive note...in some cases, ECI (early childhood intervention) services are done right in your own home.

This is a personal decision, but I'd love to share my opinion. I would encourage you to look into speech therapy. At her age, the speech therapist will come to the house a few times a month and play with her and you and the things that you will learn that will benefit your daughter are priceless and effective. Speech therapy at this age will GREATLY reduce her odds of having to be pulled out of class in elementary school for speech. Also, if there are specific causes as to why this speech delay exsists, they will find it and work to overcome it before she starts school. I wouldn't want my child to struggle in school, so I would do everything I could now to help her.

Well I would say see another doctor. I have always been told that children will learn when they are ready. Well I had a problem kind of like yours, my daughter was almost 3yrs old. Well I would take her to a specialist a ear nose and throat doctor . That is what I had to do. When they checked her ears she had blockage behind her left ear drum and was basically deaf in that ear her speech is getting better but when she talks some of her words she has problems with. She is fine after some strong decongestant . She is now 8yrs old and she is in speech therapy. I honestly don't remember my children saying that many words at that age. Well I hope you find what you need . Good luck! If you have any questions please fell free to contact me.

Hi M.,
Let her learn at her own pace. There is no real guide about how many words they should say at this age or that. Some kids don't get real chatty with a doctor anyway. If she understands a lot of what you say that means she knows those words you use.
Whoever wrote that book or report on how many words a child should be saying at what age proably has no kids. That or they just wanted to make sure their book would sell by hooking into every parents worries about their kids.
You doing fine don't watse your energy worrying, you will need when she hits 14 years old.(HAHA)
:)

My son was just at the doctor and I had the concern about his speech. His doc said that you worry when they are 2 and have problems with speech. In just the past couple of weeks his speech has improved and he is now asking what things are and how to say them. I think the biggest concern is if you can understand her and if she is interested in talking. She might be trying to master something else, like a fine motor skill, that is taking all of her attention right now. I wouldn't worry unduly until closer to two, if she is still having the same difficulties. Read to her, have her watch your mouth as you say words and encourage her even if she says it wrong. Do the "that's right, it's a . . . " and you say the word correctly. Good luck.

Well if that is the case then my 22 month old who only says five words needs a lot of help! She is my third and when I went to her 18 month the doctor asked if she was speaking 10 words, and mentioned that I might do some speech with her, but I think they all develop on their own. I think as long as she is hearing you and following commands and is already saying some words, I wouldn't stress about it. I think you are right in waiting a bit. There is a program through the Easter Seals that does do speech intervention programs as well as they will come to your home and evaluate her, but personally I wouldn't be too worried yet, read to her, and talk with her and give her a chance to respond back. My biggest problem, is that I tend to respond to her grunts and points and why on earth would she need to speak to me? you know...ok I am rambling...As a side note I taught special ed before children and early intervention is important but the fact that she is understanding and saying some words, I wouldn't be too concerned at this moment. Just my humble opinion! Congrats on baby number two! C.

100 words at 18 months? That sounds a bit high. My oldest was (still is at age 6) a talker. She probably was saying that many words by 18 months. My middle one started really talking when his sister started kindergarten last year. He was 2 1/2 at the time. Before then, he just didn't say much at all. But once he started talking, his words were all pronounced perfectly. This just fits his personality perfectly. He doesn't do anything any he can do it right. He's almost four now and talks nonstop! Now, my third is 2 1/2 years old. He is babbling and mimicking like crazy. I doubt he says 100 words, but I haven't really counted in a while. When I really think about it, I find they are saying more than I realize.

Good luck making this decision. Trust your instinct! You're the one who is with your daughter day in and day out!

Just for my 2 cents...anybody I have ever known didn't have speech therapy until the child was 2. The neighbor (who is a nurse herself) took her son in, and all he was saying was Mama and Dada at almost 2. They told her that he needed to speak more by the time he was 2. He spoke enough at 2 that they didn't make him go for speech therapy, and now he is in 1rst grade and doesn't stop talking. He has far surpassed his peers in his level of vocabulary as well. They just had to LET him speak on his own. He got whatever he needed just making the few sounds/gestures that he did, that he didn't NEED to learn new words, but as soon as they made him do it, he did. Hope that helps.

M.
your dughter is 19 months old, she has plenty of time to start talking more, I went threw that with our daughter. They will learn at their own pace.
if you are worried buy her word cards or make them, and say them with her ,our children loved that when they were little.
I gather you are a unwed mother?
May I ask why you aren't married.
Ill keep her in my prayers.
T. C.

My son needed speech therapy when he was between 1 and 2 because he had so many ear infections. I didn't think that he needed it but after a year of the therapy I saw a drastic change in his speech. I truly recommend it to anyone especially if your doctor recommends it. We were able to get it all free through ECI at Region 16 because we qualified as a low income/single parent house hold. My son still has some problems with his speech but we have an appointment with an ENT next week to see how he is doing. He is 4 years old now. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

i do agree that children do learn at their own pace, but as a former family educator i am knowledgable of children's milestones and she may need a little help with her expressive language skills. it seems that her reseptive language skills are great since she understands what is said to her. it would not hurt to have her evaluated by a speech therapist and see what there advise is. also with the approaching addition to your family it could also set her back that sometimes happens when there is a new baby.
A.

I personally have not had this problem due to my son being only 8 weeks old. But my inlaws have their son had the same thing except he was much older when he started talking the "therapy" program that he joined into had done wonders and he is talking a lot now. It definately cant hurt to be sure and make sure the little one gets the start or head start she deserves. After they finally put him into the speach classes they admited they should have done it to begin with... on the other hand some kids just dont want to be heard, but why chance it early intervention is definately not a bad thing.

Hi M.,

My son was the same way. After his second birthday his vocabulary exploded and now he is speaking better that most 3 year old. Every child is different though, and your doctor is catering to your child's specific needs. I think the reason why your Doc. might want to go ahead and do it sooner than later is because these things are better treated early. If there is a problem it can be solved without causing further delay.

This is what I did for my son, I got him involved with kids his own age. It is amazing what kids at this age pick up from their peers. They learn so much faster that way. Unfortunately not always good things.;) Long story short, do some research on the Internet and then trust your own instincts. They always say "mother knows best". It's true!

Hope I could help.
J. W.

I was told by my daughter doctor that she needed to go to a speech thearpist several times. All she would talk was "babyinese" (that's what my husband calls it). Couldn't understand what she was saying but she would talk. Then I moved and my new neighbor told me to just wait and see when she turned 3 how she was doing. Then decide on what we wanted to do. That was great advice. Now she can't stop talking but at least I can understand her and have conversations with her. I also have a friend that has a 3 year old son that is too shy to talk. He can speak clearly, when he does talk, but just rarely talks. In the end, do what you feel is right. Doctors can only give you advice, you have to decide on wether or not to take it.

I had the same problem with my daughter who is now 2. At her 18-month appointment her doctor said that if she wasn't talking more by 2 she would need to go into speech therapy. She talks very li ttle now, she has a limited vocabulary, but she's very smart and definitely understands everything. When we went to her 2-year, her doctor said that even though she's not talking very much, she didn't need speech therapy because she didn't think that my daughter was unable to talk, she just didn't want to. My daughter is very shy, and she'll only talk to me (not even her father). I wouldn't worry too much about it, because if she's understanding things you tell her, than she's probably right on track. Some kids just don't like to do anything wrong, and so they are very reserved when it comes to talking because they don't want to get the words wrong. And if it does come down to her needing to get the speech therapy, it's not a big deal. Anything to help your kids, right? Good luck!

Well I don't think that a little help would hurt. I work in a head start center and are smallest age group is 3 yrs and we have some that are in speech and have been since before they were one and still need the help. I also referred my nephew at teh age of 1 cause he was not saying but a few words and now he talks so much and he just turned 2. The speech therapist go to his house 2 times a month. When i first told my sister about it she was very skeptical and didn't want to accept that he needed help. She used the excuse that he was just a baby but I did not want him to fall behind the other kids and when it did come to him attending school he would be made fun of or be embarrased to talk in school. We have many kids in our 4 yr old program who tell us them selves that they don't want to talk cause noone can understand them. That for me is very sad cause kids are cruel and really don't know how they are traumatizing the other child in the long run. Like I said in the beginning it is not bad for a little help and better to nip it early then wait til it is really bad.

Hello, my daughter is 3 now and i am getting her into speech therapy. I noticed at about 18 months that she needed it but the doc said they didnt worry about them until they were 3 but now theyre saying it would have been easier if i had gotten her in as soon as i noticed a problem, so i would defintely get her into it cause it cant hurt, right? A friend of mine on fort hood let her daughter learn at her own pace even though her doc told her that her daughter was a little behind and her daughter is now five and gets picked on in kindergarten ( which seems kinda crazy considering how young they are) and doesnt like school because of it, so i would say definetly take her.

I agree that all children are different and do things when they are ready. When it comes to speech though, a doctor wouldn't recommend therapy unless he really felt like it would benefit the child. Sometimes as a mom it's hard to hear that your child could be delayed developmentally. The good news is that speech therapy will get her right on track! Hang in there and trust your instincts. Personally, if speech therapy could get her using her words, I think the sooner the better. Good luck and God bless!

M.,

My daughter is 2 and isn't speaking in full sentences yet. She says maybe a total of 25 words. But that also includes all of her body parts, from head to belly button and toes. I wouldn't do everything a doctor tells us to do. Yes they are wise in their medical expertise. But YOU are the one raising your daughter and it's your decision on what treatment she should receive. I've been told that kids have to know their numbers, colors and alphabet before entering kindergarten. She has time to learn. And she may pick up more in the next year to come. I wouldn't worry so much about it.

L.

I have twins that are 28 months old. They are not putting sentences togeher either. I do believe that children do learn at a their own pace, however it won't hurt to see what a speech thearpist would say. My children are enrolled in the local ECI program, any little bit helps.

I had the same thing going on with my 3 yr old. He was talking but not like he was suppose to so I got help throug E C I and they helped me with his speech and motor skills now he is going to speech twice a week and this fall he will be going to school. So it be a good thing to look into it and maybe get a second opion about it.

Hi M.,

Well I read most of replies, I can't say I agree or disagree in sending them so young, some process information faster than others and some choose just not to talk but know more than you think they do. My oldest did not go to speech therapy till he started school, but he was on schedule with speaking the number of words he should be, he started therapy because he had ADHD and Bipolar, other than that he appeared to be normal and talks just fine, he just is not a chatter-box like his brother is and he did not get teased in school. I think if you are talking to the child and asking them to repeat words after you that helps a lot. If the child wants a drink, make her say "drink" or "milk", my two oldest ones I made them say "please" and "thank you" everyone was impressed the learned manners at a young age. I have an ex friend who would talk "at" her kids and not "to" her kids and the oldest child could barely say 5 understandable words at 2 years old, now last summer at about 5 years old and with the right babysitter she is a chatter-box and does fine in pre-k.

My mom say's don't get excited most first time parents do everything for the child without the child asking for it, get her to ask for something and see how fast she will pick up words.

I always do my research online first when ever a doctor says something is wrong and sometimes the doctor has been wrong themselves, seen it first hand many times!

Like most say go with your gut feeling.

Good Luck
D.

Let her get the therapy now. You won't regret it. My oldest child started around the same age and by the time he was 2 he was out. The longer you put it off, the higher the chance that she will be in there longer. My 3rd child needed therapy but I tried the putting it off thing. He wound up even more delayed because there were not preventative measures taken early on. He is now 7 and still in therapy.

I think your daughter is just fine. my son is a month younger and says just a few words. They all start to talk at their own pace. She knows what you're saying, and that shows that she's ok. Don't waste your money on speech therapy unless you think it is necessary. Doctors don't always know everything. You are the mom, you can do what you think. If you think she needs to know more words, there are Baby Einstein movies that teach words. Reading is also great. There are so many books that are great for that age. Good luck!

My daughter was very delayed in speech, I have even called for a speech evaluation and right after my son was born (she was then 20 months) she decided she'd start talking, so I canceled my appointment. There's a great placein Round Rock I cannot recall their name/number..however I was refered to them via Easter Seals (www.centraltx.easterseals.com ) so I'd call and see if they can't recommend someone. It never hurts to get her evaluated especially since the EI support is covered under most insurance plans.

Good Luck!

My mom always told me no matter what a doctor says, you still know best. So if you feel that your daughter should wait until she is two then that is what you should do. Always follow your gut feeling, you have it for a reason.

My son is 18 1/2 months old and he doesnt say half as many words as my first son did at this age, he can say around 10-15 words. When my first son turned 18 months he started talking so I am just going to see if my youngest does the same thing. He just went to his 18 month checkup and they didnt say anything about his speech, I think he might be a little delayed in talking but like your daughter he understands everything I say or ask him to do. I would take the speech therapy if it is being offered for free. If he isnt talking much more in a month or two then I am going to look into it myself. Good Luck

My oldest was in speech therapy, starting at 3.5 yrs old. At the time my middle son was almost 18mos so I asked the speech therapist what "normal" would be and she said about 10 words. I think to expect a 19 month old to say 100 words is a lot and above average.

I'd just wait and see. Give her som etime.

There is not a clear cut answer to this but this is what happened to us. My first child seemed fine as he approached almost 2yrs old, untill one day at a friends BBQ we met another simular to his age who spoke a lot more than Morgan. I slowly started to notice that he could be talking more than he was ( At the time first time parent and we have no nieces or nephews soo).
I then took Morgan to his Ped doc for check up and expressed this issue with Him and was told the same as you. That he needed an intervention...I started to panic you know what to do? and how to help....since Morgan was 3 when we called the school district he was, screened and started a special program for child who have speach delays. He attends Howard Early Learning Center ###-###-####). PPCD is what it is caled through school district ( we live in the Alamo Heights ISD) ..from what I understand this program is offered in every school district the best part is it is free, works, and bus will even pick tot up ( there is an aide on the bus to make sure kids get to where they need to)...also they do not have to be fully potty trained either.....

Just as I thought we had everything figured out...so there after our 2 year old started to have simular pattern. I asked Howard ( the school Morgan goes to) and they gave me the number to Easter Seals.###-###-####). Since Ryan was two at the time too young for school and old enough for Easter Seals. Ryan has a speak teacher from Easter Seals. Easter Seals is a program that is funded through the state that works with children age 2 and after recommends ( if needed) to school district PPCD.

If you have other concerns like sensory, motor skills or stuff like that would suggest seeing a developmental ped' doc. Dr Harkins is a wonderful doctor. ###-###-####)

I hope this information was helpful, its a lot of information but basickly children 2yrs old Easter Seals and 3yrs contact school district/local elementry school. Both these programs in most cases are completely or almost free.

God bless and feel free to email

I started my son is speech therapy when he was 18 months. Right now he is 8y/o and still struggles so much with his speech. Do it now while the insurance will cover it. My son went to private speech thepry until he was five then the insurance cut off when they start school. He started school when he was three in a special program called PPCD. Even if she understands you there maybe something happen with her comprehension or in my sons case the word just didn't come out right. He was dignosed with Apraxia or Dyspraxia. There is so much now about it but back five years ago it was not very common. ECI or a private speech therapist could really help her out.
Please do it, it could only help her.
Hope this helps,
L.

Hello, I dont know if this will help. but you might want to have her go to an ENT (ears Nose throat) Dr. When i was little I was picking up words right away and saying them but when I turned Three I could not say snow,snake and other words. Got my Hearing tested and found out I was 50% deaf. I understod everything my parents said I understod also it was saying it right I had a hard time.. Good luck and if you have any question email me

J.

My older son was slow to talk. By 2 he still had a minimal vocabulary so we had his hearing checked and it was fine, the ENT told us just to wait it out for a while and check back if no improvement in 6 mo since everything else was on track. Within the next 2 months he was chattering away! Kids learn at their own rates. Especially first born kids who aren't around a lot of other little talkers are slower to talk. Up to you, but I say give her a little more time if she is making all her other milestones.

My daughter gets speech therapy. She has other medical issues and also gets OT and PT. I think the speech therapy can only help your daughter. You can get services through ECI and from my experience they are WONDERFUL! My daughter also understands simple gestures and will follow direction, but can't get the words out to tell you what she needs/wants. Speech has helped to teach her to sign and now she is up to working on sentences.

Waiting will never be the better for your daughter. If the help is availabale take it. The worst that could happen is she will be ahead. If not she will get the help she may need.

My daughter has been in speech since she was about 1 1/2 years old. We began with Brighton School, which was a great program because the Speech Pathologist comes to your home whenever you have a scheduled appointment.

It has helped my daughter a lot to go through speech including with self esteem and making friends. I do not regret putting her in speech.

Brighton School, if I recall, will only go up to age 3 or 4. After that, I suggest Sante Pediatric Speech, which is located on the Southside. There is also a Speech program called Warm Springs, but they liked to charge for extra services outside of Medicaid and they were slightly difficult to work with.

Also, when your daughter is older, you can have her placed in speech class through the schools. This service is free if she is at a public school. Should you opt for a private school and want to try for the speech program for free, you would need to contact the district your daughters private school is in. The speech pathologist assigned to that district, if they have room, can see your child then too at your school of choice.

Last, if your daughter has a significant speech problem, you can collect SSI money. I know this, because I collect for my child. The state recognizes that you are spending extra time on your child to assist them with their disability or issue, and this takes away from your opportunity to work full-time.

So those are some pieces of information I have acquired over the years pertaining speech issues. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me through my email of ____@____.com

But as a mother, my child would be worse off regarding her self esteem and her ability to speech. If the doctor suggests it, I would follow through with it now. That way your child does not have any negative connotations with the programs and can get a head start on thier speech.

Also, another great program is Head Start, which based on income, can be free as well.

I hoped this helped you.

A. P.

Dear concerned mom I would put her in therpy ASAP because the early intervention is what helps. She can be talking by 2 and not trying to play catch up. I have a son with Down's and he has had therpy since he was 18 months and he is now 13 and he speaks much better and stil continues to have speech but just less time.

I would encourage you to do it because they may be able to also teach you so things you can do at home as well.

Blessings and I hope everything works out for your daughter and your family