More speech questions under 1 yr old

[Debby]

Hi everyone.
Thank you so much for all your input about speech therapy for under 1 yr old. I am so thankful for all the advice and suggestions. I especially appreciate it since it comes from all of you.
I must say the things you shared were more helpful than anything I have gotten anywhere!
I am currently in a dispute with our EI case manager/sp ed teacher about speech. We are also trying to get it through our ped. Praying we may possibly even go to a great place that is private through our insurance.

Any other details about therapy for your children would be so appreciated. Right now Keeran is 10 months are is just now sitting up independently and sort of scooting. He doesn't use the pincer grasp yet.
And he doesn't babble at all. He has an open mouth position most of the time and drools alot. Any more ideas are greatly appreciated.
also suggestions for working with EI that insist Keeran doesn't need speech until he is two? How did you fight for your services if you needed to?
Blessings.
Pebbles

[ashliesmomheidi]

Hi Im an Old Member here but have been gone for awhile so I dont know all the newbies. I have 3 kids and Ashlie is my oldest and is 7 yrs old with DS.

I am always so amazed at how different areas have to fight so hard for services for our kids.

Ashlie recieved PT,OT and ST at 2 weeks old and hasnt stopped recieving it except for PT since she does school she really gets that from the classroom activities.

There are some ST's who dont belive in starting our kids out in speech until they are older but I do belive they benefit a lot from it when they are younger.

Ashlie said Ma Ma and Da Da at 9 mos old along with the beginning letters of some words like BaBaBaBa for B words. We always worked with her on the Beginning sounds so she got familiar with them and when she wanted something like her Cup we always had her Try and say Cup before we gave it to her. I would constantly be reapeating myself several times for her until she realized how to make the words.

I would definitley fight for it!

Hugs Heidi

[meghans_mom]

Hey again -
there is a good book out there...Communication Skills in Children w/ Down Syndrome by Libby Kumin (you can pick up a used copy on amazon.com for like $4)
it has some great ideas in it...see if you can pick up a copy.
also - we did facial massage w/ meghan - tapping around the lips lightly to promote closure, or run your fingers up towards the lips from the chin or down from underneath the nose. I think this all stimulates the muscles or whatever? We also just talked and read to her all the time, walked her around the house and named all the objects (light, table, dog, etc)...had her try and copy our facial expressions and sounds "ba ba ba", etc.
Have you had Keeran's hearing checked? If it was only done at birth or more than 6 months ago, I'd have it checked again. Also, an ENT check up is good in case there is fluid build up in the ears (or ask the pediatrician to check)..it can interfere w/ hearing and may be a contributor to the lack of babbling.
I think I suggested putting a mirror up already? That's a great motivator for speech.
Another thing to do, if Keeran can handle more solid foods is to put half a cheerio on one side of the teeth and have him chew it...then go to the other side, repeat - etc. It promotes lateralization of the tongue, i think? Something alot of our kids may have trouble with.
Give him different textures to chew and taste.
You can add crushed graham crackers or rice crispies to yogurt or other baby foods if he's not ready for real heavy textures, etc.
Another thing is to blow bubbles for him and have him try to imitate your facial expression for doing this...eventually work up to him blowing a bubble off the edge of the wand to blowing bubbles himself...of course this shouldn't be expected for months - but getting him to blow out air or imitate facial expressions is really good too.
that's all i can think of right now...good luck with everything! laurie

[Debi]

I truly am at a loss to understand your EI's position here.. you would think that they'd would see that it is obvious that Keeran needs speech services
If it were me, I'd break it down.. first I'd have that conversation with your case manager and ask what is the rationale for denying speech. Then I would ask them to put that in writing and also write up your own account of the conversation. Also I would go ahead and have a private speech evaluation done ; while the school would not necessarily have to implement all the ideas you would have (independent ) evidence of delay.
There is a lot that you can do but you need speech services for Keeran whether private or school. I'd keep pushing school, even if you end up going the private route. Keep requesting the services in writing and file a complaint if you have to.. not a great option but maybe your only recourse with this school.

[steffipoo]

Alrighty then here's a question for ya??? Can you possibly take your child to a center based EI program maybe 2 times a week? Most center based programs have a speech therapist there the whole time during group. Here in Los Angeles Olivia couldn't get one on one but had hers in group 3 times a week. I actually found it better as Liv likes the group social dynamic and works much better in this scene.If you have the time and that sounds good I would suggest visiting a center based ei and asking them all kinds of ?'s about speech services they provide in group. Liv was on the computer at 6 months doing speech as well as the st coming around during different activities the kids rotated to. They also were a great help with feeding. PLUS in ours she had 30 min of speech with one other child every session which was 3 times a week in addition to the st's being there for circle time feeding etc. Go check out some programs if possible they will be MORE than willing to tell ya how much time they spend on speech and what they can do with your child. Hope that helps!!! Steff

[steffipoo]

OH YEA!!! LOL here's a good suggestion for ya. Have the pediatrician write a prescription for speech therapy. In writing why your child needs it make sure that they don't just write that your child has ds therefore they need speech. Possible swallowing issues, articualtion ...LOL anything you can think of.I never knew a ped could write a script for st but they can and will get ya there MUCH FASTER!!!! STEFF

[Danielle]

Debby - I'm no expert but your child probably actually needs not a true "speech therapist" at this stage but a therapist trained in pre-speech skills to READY him for speech. But alas, EI doesn't really offer that up these days.....but we found a great Teacher - or Developmental Specialist, I think they're also called -- who was partially trained in this stuff who was tremendously helpful. (She still works with our son today.) Also, I read books, went to workshops about oral motor and feeding issues, and that was really helpful too. Yes, it's out of pocket but it's a fraction of the cost of therapy each week and we got more than enough to get us going. That book by Libby Kumin is great -- the one for early language development. Start there and continue to ask EI for a therapist who is trained to help you. A script from the doc wouldn't hurt, either...

[ShawnS]

Pebbles, my son started speech at one. He is seen now twice a month and is doing just fine. I found that incorporating sign into his life really helps. There is an awesome video called "Talking Hands" and he will sit and watch this video it least once a day. He now signs for the video! He is only 19 months old and has about 7 signs he uses regulary. It has been a real lifesaver. The other day we were in the grocery store and signed for cookie. I was so thrilled that I bought a huge tub of cherry chip cookies to practice the sign more at home. He surprises us everyday with a new understanding of language. For example when he wants more milk or water he will bring me the cup and sign please, and then thank you. It is really cute and pretty amazing that he puts those things together. I dont remember his older brither ever being so polite, lol.

[Debby]

Wow! you guys are amazing. I am so thrilled with all of you! I can't tell you how supported and understood I feel today. Finally, I feel like there are some people out there who understand my life.
Thank you so much! I will incorporate all the tips into my days for Keeran. And will check out the video and book mentioned too.
I did ask my Ped to write a prescription for ST, also we are trying to go through our insurance for the rest, also TEXT

[Debby]

Wow! you guys are amazing. I am so thrilled with all of you! I can't tell you how supported and understood I feel today. Finally, I feel like there are some people out there who understand my life.
Thank you so much! I will incorporate all the tips into my days for Keeran. And will check out the video and book mentioned too.
I did ask my Ped to write a prescription for ST, also we are trying to go through our insurance for the rest, also TEXT