My 4 yr old has been in speech therapy for 2 weeks now and, during the evaluation and now therapy, they have commented on the nasal tone of his voice. I gave him Claritin last night and at today's speech session, the therapist noticed a change right away. So, I mentioned that I've thought of having him tested and hopefully pin-pointing the allergy. (My 6 yr old is still in speech and I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't have him tested too.) I know some here have gone through it and am hoping you'll share your experience.

By Marcia on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 01:26 pm:

I had it done when they were tiny. We went to someone who tests without needles. She tests on the pressure points of the fingers and toes, and uses a computer. She was very accurate.

By Mommmie on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 01:34 pm:

Mine did the pinprick test on his back and arms when he was 6, maybe 5, can't remember now. He had his GameBoy with him and he was fine. They rubbed numbing lotion on him. He was delighted to learn he is only allergic to roach droppings.

By Marg on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 02:29 pm:

Sunny, my oldest daughter slept with a cat for four years (speech problems also). I never had allergies, dh is allergic to everything! I had to switch doctors for my own sanity. He pulled her lower eyelids down and they were flaming red. He did not suggest pin pricking (DH had test done, yuck). He gave dd (ages 11 and 7) Flonase. Clears it right up, get this no speech problems. Now they do not take flonase all the time, only when necessary. They also take claritin, but I can hear a major difference when they use their flonase
Good Luck!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

DD had blood tests (RAST?) for allergies as a toddler.

DS got tested with the prick test at 3 and again at 4. DD got tested last spring at 4.5. Not their idea of fun but it wasn't too drastic or painful. They used a rectangular plastic piece with pin pricks and put it on the inside of their lower arms. Not a big deal. BIG help in pinpointing allergies.

I have more to say but need to pick up DS from school. Back later...

By Melanie on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 03:56 pm:

I haven't had to do this, but a friend of mine had both of her kids tested. They are 5 and 2.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 04:19 pm:

OK, I'm back. I forgot to mention that DS got tested at 3 and 4 for food allergies and again at 6 for asthma triggers. He has a severe tree nut allergy and one of his asthma triggers is cats. No speech problems ever.

DD has been in speech therapy since she was 3 for articulation delays. She has a hoarse voice, but the reason has yet to be determined. Possibly scarring from acid reflux but our GI and allergy specialists doubt it. She has severe peanut and tree allergies, and is also allergic to tree pollen and mosquito bites. Her only symptom we've seen concerning the tree pollen allergy is a rash and/or hives.

Sorry to ramble. LOL! Anyway, I think testing will be a big help in your situation.

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 05:24 pm:

I had my daughter tested at 9 months. She was really really sick and did a blood test (IG series) and decided she needed it.

By Mommymindy on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 12:31 am:

My daughter had the stick test done before she was 2. It wasn't too bad, but I remember her crying. She has outgrown all the allergies/exzema/etc... now! thank GOD!!!

By Nicosmom on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 01:34 am:

Oh my goodness, I am noticing the same thing in my ds. I take him to speech therapy b/c I was concerned that he was not talking yet at two. One day though, he just started talking but he still sees a speech therapist. One thing I have noticed are his d's and n's sound like he has a stuffed nose. I have allergies but I'm not exactly sure of what I am allergic to, I need to be tested myself. Anyhow, what should I do? I think I will mention it to the therapist next Tuesday. Thanks for bringing this up.

By Pamt on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

Sunny, just wanted to clarify the speech therapy/allergy link a little bit. Allergies that cause nasal congestion and/or a scratchy throat can cause voice and resonance problems, but not "speech" (articulation) or language problems. If the nose is stopped up then speech will sound lke the child has a cold (i.e., "m" sounds like "b", "n" sounds like "d", and "ng" sounds like "g") and this is referred to as HYPOnasality. This is because /m,n, ng/ are the only three *nasal* sounds in English which means these sounds are produced through the nose--touch your nose when you say them and you can feel it vibrate. On the flip side, HYPERnasality is when almost all the sounds come through the nose such as in the case of cleft palate and paralysis of the soft palate and/or pharyngeal walls. Hypernasality can also be a regional dialect/accent sort of thing too. Allergy meds might help hyponasality (adenoids and tonsils may be a problem too), but won't do a thing for hypernasality. A scratchy throat can cause a voice to sound deeper in pitch and hoarse. Allergy meds can help this, but can also cause more probably since they also dry out the vocal cords. I would suggest first going to an ENT (many of whom also do allergy testing) and then go from there. Good luck!

P.S., Both my kids were tested for allergies at about 4-5 yrs. The doctor put drops of liguid all over their backs and then lightly scratch each drop with what looked like a dull needle. Uncomfortable, but not painful.

By Sunny on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 09:00 pm:

Thanks everyone. Pam, my DS does have articulation problems, but he also has "compromised clarity" and I think a big part of that is his (what seems like) constant congestion. He also has fluid behind the eardrum that I believe is allergy related, and identifying the allergen should help. I'm not looking for a cure-all, but it might hopefully help him with his speech.

He is very receptive to the exercises and tries really hard when we do the practices. I will keep an ENT in mind, thanks!

By Babysitbarb on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

I had my youngest get the pinprick allergy test at around 9. We had tried this and that and doctor had tried different things. I had myself done at the same time because I have had sinus problems all my life. I had my oldest done at probably 12. She doesn't have as many problems as my youngest and myself but,she soes have sinus problems. It just makes you feel better to no exactly what you allergic to so that you can do something about it.

By Sue3 on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 07:46 pm:

Hi Sunny,
My ds just had the allergy test (with pin pricks )
on his back this summer.
he is six.He did fine.No tears.He is allergic
to dogs,dust,pollen and mold.
He also has asthma.
He is curently taking nasonex and advair on a daily basis which keeps his asthma and alergies
under control.
We are considering allergy shots.Good luck.
hope this helps! Sue