Let's talk about - Speech Therapy: What are the signs?

One of the greatest things about being a mom is sharing my journey with other parents. Every family is so unique, with challenges all their own. One such issue I recently came across is the need for speech therapy.

When I first thought about speech therapy, my mind brought up images of flashcards and lisps, as well as the thought that it wouldn't be something for parents to pursue until their kids are in elementary school. How wrong I was! Through several acquaintances, I discovered that speech therapy is something parents become aware of the need for early on.

On that note, we will be covering these topics during the month of January...

January 8 - Signs your child might need speech therapy (keep reading below!).
January 15 - Next steps for speech therapy.
January 22 - Speech therapy expectations and outcomes.

I didn't think too much about my children starting to talk. They have what we call the "Volland" gene in my family, which means they talk often and more often. We are not a historically quiet family. But as I started interviewing moms who had started speech therapy for their children, it became apparent to me that only a parent knows his or her children well enough to know what they need.

However, trying to determine whether your child needs to start down this road can still be fraught with uncertainty. How happy was I to talk to Ashley Miller, an Edmond mom and nationally certified speech pathologist. She said children present with delays in one (or more) of the following areas:
1. Articulation - Can you understand what your child is saying?
2. Expressive and/or receptive language - Can the child expressively communicate and understand language? Can they express ideas and follow directions?
3. Fluency - Does the child stutter (or something of that nature)?
4. Voice - Does the child have a breathy or hoarse quality or nasal sounding voice?

"Also," she said, "don't underestimate the impact of hearing loss. Many pediatricians are able to screen your child's hearing in their office or will be able to refer you to a local audiologist for full evaluation. Other concerns parents may have include issues with swallowing and/or feeding skills as well as reading difficulties."

Next I had the opportunity to speak with two different moms whose children take speech therapy here in Edmond. I asked them about their experience with making the decision to pursue this type of intervention. Julie Butler told me this about her daughter, who was age 3 at the time of diagnosis: "We felt that she was behind in the way she interacted with other kids and that her vocabulary/communication skills did not match her age." A recommendation from the pediatrician put Butler's daughter at the office where she is now.

Mom Jessica Toman had a similar experience--both for her daughter and her son. "For my daughter--my oldest child in speech--it was harder to figure out. She knew how to identify many items and did so above others her age. But she is also shy. So it took me a bit to realize she wasn't really putting words together like other children her age, even when she was speaking to me. If she wanted a sandwich, she would just say 'sandwich.'" A doctor recommended Toman's daughter to Can Do Kids in Edmond. Following that, the process of diagnosing Toman's son was easier, especially when he wasn't saying much at 18 months. When Toman approached the doctor with her concerns, she was able to get an immediate referral and an early start on the process.

Moral of these stories? Don't hesitate to ask questions. Addressing concerns early can lead to greater benefits for your child and peace of mind. Every family's journey will be different, but if you have some of the same concerns for your child, it never hurts to gets some answers.

 

Stay tuned next week as we look at speech therapy--diagnosis and treatment!