I need a couple good websites for speech delays in kids. I know there have been a couple posted before. I'm looking for a friend of mine who's son will be 2 this Saturday. He's only saying about 7 or 8 words consistantly. He does understand most everything, and grunts and points a lot to get what he wants. My poor friend--her ped (who she doesn't like anyway and they will be changing asap) mentioned autism to her last week because of his speech delay and his tendency to tap his hand on things repeatedly. This kid is WAY too outgoing and social to have autism (imho). This "ped" has my friend all worried now (and she's the worrying type that stresses easily). She's not online so I told her I'd do some research for her. TIA for any sites or info.

By Feona on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 03:33 pm:

This looks like a good start for activities.

http://www.speechtx.com/newsletters.htm

By Feona on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 03:59 pm:

I am just trying to think what I should have done more of with John. Probably more playdates. Even though he lived at the park playing with kids.

Also going though books and pointing at all the nouns and verbs so he know what it is even if he can't say it. That helped john because he really does know his most nouns really well. Verbs - well you got tenses so that is hard.

Anything social because sometimes social and speech go together. Like pay simple board games. Speech therapist use alot of play doh sometimes to try to get the speech out.

Definitely teach all the skills you can think of even if you don't know they know it or not. More or less. Small Medium Large. You can get a preschool book at staples and see what they are teaching.

Colors
numbers
abcs (start you never know)
using crayons


Too really get the child way ahead in every area possible. But make everything is fun or forget about it. So they can concentrate on catching up in their "weak area" when you and they finally figure it all out.

By Pamt on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 04:34 pm:

Here's a site that Trina found and I think it's great. Very comprehensive!
http://members.tripod.com/Caroline_Bowen/home.html

Has she had her child evaluated? I would strongly recommend it. He does seem to be delayed at the least. An average 2 y/o should say about 250 words and be putting 2 words together in short "sentences." Some children with autism can be quite affectionate and sociable, but with the fact that he is trying to communicate with pointing and grunting is a very good sign that he is developingh normally, but just delayed. Has he had a lot of ear infections? That can cause a speech delay too. I wouldn't worry about autism as much right now as just getting a thorough speech/lang eval and going from there.

By Cat on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 05:03 pm:

Thanx, Feona and Pam. I'll check out those sites.

He hasn't been evaluated yet, but she does agree he needs to be. He's not even close to saying 250 words or putting two words together. I know he did have ear infections, but I don't know how many. I do know he was hospitalized a couple times for RSV and his younger brother (8mo) has been hospitalized for that as well. Randy's spending the night with her oldest tomorrow night so I'll talk to her then. Thanx again.

By Emdee on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 02:53 pm:

If you don't mind me asking here, what is the typical amount of words for a 15 month old? My dd's ped said she was a little behind at her year checkup on her speech but I didn't worry a thing about it until after I read the above. She loves books and is beginning to "know" alot of things, but she grunts and points and says "da" for everything. The only things she says is "mama", "dada", (and still uses those words to babble and not mean anything at times) and just yesterday "uh-oh". Is this normal? Thanks, and I apologize if I shouldn't have asked this here.

By Tink on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 08:07 pm:

You are fine posting this here. I think that sounds a little behind but I don't know what her receptive language is like. That is, what she is understanding of what you say.Some kids understand a lot and just don't express themselves well until they suddenly start speaking in sentences! I would name everything around you and concentrate on talking about things she sees all the time..."Do you want a cup? What do you want in your cup? Do you want milk in your cup?" You may feel like an idiot at times but it really seemed to help my son to hear the label for something over and over and over and...you get the idea. I'm sure some of the other moms have lots of other ideas.

By Feona on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 07:25 am:

If she still is alittle behind, I would test her at 18 months. Early intervention.

Gosh, you ped is up on things. My ds ped knows nothing about speech.

Honestly, I think 15 months is so young. But girls are usually so far ahead of boys.