speech therapy and bpi

[Dawn-Texas]

My son Ryan is now 2 1/2 years old. He has attended PT since birth. Our PT is now telling us that she thinks Ryan needs to be evaluated by a speech therapist. She says that his responses to questions are not normal. For instance, if you ask him if he wants the lollipop or the chocolate, he responds, "Okay." He responds with "okay" when he means "yes" with us at home. I thought this was just an age-thing.

I would like any feedback from those of you experiencing the same sort of thing, or knowing how many of you have been referred to a speech therapist.

Ryan has talked since a very early age, and uses many words, and talks in long narratives. He says a lot of things that are way beyond his age. It apparently is just his responses that our PT is concerned about. And she refers to "disorganization" a lot.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Dawn

[Kristie]

My son is 14 months old. Our early intervention program mentioned having him evaluated at our last IFSP meeting. We agreed although we didn't have any concerns about his speech. We did discover that he has the speech of about an 11 month old. So he is slightly delayed. Right now they are not going to do any therapy with him. They feel it is some what normal since he is a boy and is a "young" fourteen months. We will do another evaluation in three months.

If this PT you are refering to is within the Early Intervention program I think part of the reason she would mention her concern is that this is a part of what they do... look for other areas to make sure all is on track. It can be disconsorting at times... with our first EI therapists it drove me nuts... made me feel like my kid was totally abnormal. I would go ahead with the evaluation. And just try to help your son with his responses... explain further you can have one... chocolate or a lollipop... have him show you with by touching it and the tell him to say what it is?
I am not a speech therapist just trying to give you some thoughts and to help ease your concerns. Try not to worry to much...
Kristie

[CW1992]

Hi! I think I would go ahead and have him evaluated just to be safe - - although he sure seems to be doing alright by what you had said. Speech can vary so much from one child to another and so can speech problems. When my second child was your son's age she just nodded alot and I was very concerned - she's fine. Brittney, LOBPI, talked very early but has been in speech since she was four because of problems making certain sounds. "Disorganization" to me sounds like she thinks your son can't process the words that he wants to say or that his words are being said in the wrong order. You will probably feel better after an evaluation. Christy

[Tessie258]

out of 6 kids 2 of mine had to have speech through the school....interestingly enough it was both my kids who had shoulder distocia....Daniel had a broken collar bone...Jameson has a BPI.
They didn't even get the therapy until they were in about the 4th grade. Neither one said their "R" properly. They both talk fine now. Some people think Jameson says some words like a "New Yorker"...I personally don't hear it.
Anyway....2 and a half seems young to have that much speech...I would just keep an eye on him....Maybe he wants both the lollipop and the chocolate!!!! I would!! It could be that he thinks there is a trick answer that will get him both!!! There is a book I love called "Teach Me To Read Letter by Letter" it is written by Bernice B.Green. Published by Bookworld Press in Sarasota, Florida.
It is for older kids but even my 3 year old likes to sit next to me and make the sounds of the letters...He's having a hard time making the "K" sound and the "th"
We make the sound together and when he can't make the sound I have him watch my mouth and he mimics me until he does it right. It is a fun game and it has helped him to talk better.
Good luck to you.
T.

[bugsntazz]

Hello Dawn,
When we lived in Florida, My son had his speech tested and he was very advanced. At 2 and half he used compound sentences, prepositions and could chew your ear off. When he was 3, we moved to Texas and he started OT and PT here. He did not really talk to his OT and did the same said ok and yeah. If he wanted something, he would point or make facial expressions or just use one syllable words. His OT also mentioned possible perception problems, I was not worried about his speech, as it was tested in Florida. To calm everyone down, including my own nerves, we did take him to a neurogolist for evaluation. The nuerologist did not see any problems what so ever. As soon as I stated the the Neur. did not see any problems it calmed everything down. We did work with my son on talking to his OT like he does with us and now he does.

[Kathleen]

T
Some people think Jameson says some words like a "New Yorker"...I personally don't hear it.

Darn! ... they missed that too on me!!!!

I sound like I am from New York...ops! I am....LOL...

just kidding I thought that was a funny thing for a speech therapist to say.
If a child has a midwestern accent here in NY...should they be sent for speech therapy....????

I am only kidding and saw humor in that statement...lol

I never needed speech therapy... I don't have and accent I am from NY...LOL...
Kath

[Tessie258]

Kathleen,
I think it's too funny too! I think maybe it's because we have the southwest accent or something!!!

I have a friend from Michigan and she just can't get over the way I talk!!! I never noticed that I have an accent but I guess I do!!!

It just gives us all flavor!!!! How boring life would be if everyone was exactly the same!!!

Have a great day!!!
T.

[AK1999]

You just offered your child 2 equally good choices. If someone asked me if I wanted ice cream or cake I would respond BOTH! I don't know many 2 1/2
year olds who would answer both when given a choice. Because at that age, they feel they have to chose So your child most likely said okay because he liked both choices. Try to test him with some opposites like....would you like vegetables or a lollipop and see if he will choose the one he wants more....The fact that your son talks in long narratives and talked early is really great because many say that boys'verbal skills are slower than girls...

[tina arvizu]

Gabrielle says Okay for yes too. Or she says "Oh sure". She will be two this month. When entering the Early Intervention Program they suggested speech therapy. I am not ready to start her on more therapy just yet. I want to give her a little time on her own first. She had a small vocabulary as of her 18 month check-up. Mom, Dad, up and Bear where about it. Just since she started walking at 22 months she has really picked up on so many words. I have been asked how she communicates with me since she only uses one word at a time. She likes to do things herself and if she can't then she doesn't want it anymore. I'm "Okay" with this for now. We will reevaluate in a couple of months. I think you should do the same. How do you feel about your child's progress? You will know in your heart when your child really needs help.

Like they say, Therapists think you need therapy, surgeons think you need surgery and so on.......