Re: Speech Therapy OK? No diagnosis

[Guest guest]

This is just my story so you can know what to do about your daughter.

went to private speech when she was 2. She didn't make

progress, so at 3 we put her in the school district special ed

class. regressed.

In the meantime, my other daughter did not qualify for the

special ed class. The ish Rite foundation called up and said

they had an opening for speech for one of my daughters. I started

taking . Well, started responding their speech

therapist. I ended up switching to that speech therapist, and

she made a lot of progress with her. Unfortunately, that speech

therapist moved away, but we did get another speech therapist. The

ST that we have now is also great. Both of my daughters are doing

great with her.

You can always try someone else and see how it goes. It won't hurt

to try someone else.

Good luck!

Suzi

--- In @y..., " mememom2002 " <mememom2002@y...>

wrote:

> Hi,

> thanks to those who wrote back. It sure is nice to know that there

> are others our there listening. I don't always feel comfortable

> talking about this with friends - especially since most have kids

> same age, but sooo different. I really don't have any so close

here

> since we are pretty new in town.

> went to her 2nd speech therapy session. I just don't know

if

> these two are going to connect. Her therapist thinks she

> is " stubborn " , and maybe she is a bit. But there is also the

thing

> that takes awhile to warm up to people, doesn't like them to

> pick her up right away, and is used to some kind of explanation

> (usually from me) about when and why we are doing things that are

> not " her way " . After reading on the site, I asked her SP what

> the " plan " was, and what she thought " had " (i.e., oral motor

> apraxia, verbal apraxia). She said she was not sure, and that

> it " didn't really matter " . UUUGGG that didn't satisfy me at all.

We

> also asked her pediatrician whether should see a pediatric

> neurologist to " diagnose " her. She also said no, and that SP

should

> help to identify the problem.

> I really don't know what to do now, but we are paying pretty big

$$$

> for private SP, and I want to be sure this is going somewhere.

> Anyone experiencing this?

> What to do?

> & ( 2+9mos)

[Guest guest]

,

My (same age as ) is the same about cooperating and warming up, and

having things " her way " . I've found it helps if the SLP and I do a little

chatting

(even during the therapy) and take the spotlight off -then she seems to

feel

more relaxed. Also, I must participate and help with the lesson and sometimes

have to

start the ball rolling. If we're doing a game type of activity, if the SLP and I

start playing first, is more likely to want to join in than if she's told

that's what she's going to play. Also, I try to do lots of " homework " with

,

because she really doesn't get enough from the therapy at this stage.

Have you had evaluated for sensory integration issues? Many children with

apraxia also have this. There's a good book called " The Out-of-Sync Child " and

also

info online that would give you an idea if this might be the case. My has

some

mild issues that we're working on with an OT and a home sensory " diet " . One of

the

things for , who sounds much like , is that people, esp. strangers,

should

not just reach out and touch her or, worse, pick her up (I think this is

probably

true with any child, actually). Someone like a SLP should try gradually to make

contact and it should be a deep pressure, rather than a light touch.

Lastly, as it seems you already know, it DOES really matter what 's problem

is

because that drives the method of therapy.

Hope this helps a little,

Barbara

mememom2002 wrote:

> Hi,

> thanks to those who wrote back. It sure is nice to know that there

> are others our there listening. I don't always feel comfortable

> talking about this with friends - especially since most have kids

> same age, but sooo different. I really don't have any so close here

> since we are pretty new in town.

> went to her 2nd speech therapy session. I just don't know if

> these two are going to connect. Her therapist thinks she

> is " stubborn " , and maybe she is a bit. But there is also the thing

> that takes awhile to warm up to people, doesn't like them to

> pick her up right away, and is used to some kind of explanation

> (usually from me) about when and why we are doing things that are

> not " her way " . After reading on the site, I asked her SP what

> the " plan " was, and what she thought " had " (i.e., oral motor

> apraxia, verbal apraxia). She said she was not sure, and that

> it " didn't really matter " . UUUGGG that didn't satisfy me at all. We

> also asked her pediatrician whether should see a pediatric

> neurologist to " diagnose " her. She also said no, and that SP should

> help to identify the problem.

> I really don't know what to do now, but we are paying pretty big $$$

> for private SP, and I want to be sure this is going somewhere.

> Anyone experiencing this?

> What to do?

> & ( 2+9mos)

[Guest guest]

My daughter is the same way, in that it takes her a while to warm up to

people. I would give it longer than two sessions to see if it will work.

My daughter has been going to her therapist for almost 2 years and she still

has her moments, where she will not cooperate. Is your daughter the type

(like mine) that when you want her to do something she will not; however, if

you ignore her she will do when she thinks that you are not watching. I

would say that it probably took my daughter a good 6-9 months to finally

warm up to the ST. I am not trying to tell you what to do, I am just giving

you my experience. I did feel that the therapist knew what she was doing,

it just took my daughter awhile to feel comfortable. Now she asks me

everyday if it the day to go to therapy. The other day I told her yes and

she started jumping up and down and had her fists in the air yelling YEAH,

YEAH, YEAH!!!!! Good luck.

>Hi,

>thanks to those who wrote back. It sure is nice to know that there

>are others our there listening. I don't always feel comfortable

>talking about this with friends - especially since most have kids

>same age, but sooo different. I really don't have any so close here

>since we are pretty new in town.

> went to her 2nd speech therapy session. I just don't know if

>these two are going to connect. Her therapist thinks she

>is " stubborn " , and maybe she is a bit. But there is also the thing

>that takes awhile to warm up to people, doesn't like them to

>pick her up right away, and is used to some kind of explanation

>(usually from me) about when and why we are doing things that are

>not " her way " . After reading on the site, I asked her SP what

>the " plan " was, and what she thought " had " (i.e., oral motor

>apraxia, verbal apraxia). She said she was not sure, and that

>it " didn't really matter " . UUUGGG that didn't satisfy me at all. We

>also asked her pediatrician whether should see a pediatric

>neurologist to " diagnose " her. She also said no, and that SP should

>help to identify the problem.

>I really don't know what to do now, but we are paying pretty big $$$

>for private SP, and I want to be sure this is going somewhere.

>Anyone experiencing this?

>What to do?

> & ( 2+9mos)

[Guest guest]

> The ish Rite foundation called up and said

> they had an opening for speech for one of my daughters.

Jenna is on the waiting list for this....she is number 14, so it may be a

while.

Karla

SAHM to

Jackie, , Jenna and Kamryn

Visit the kids sites:

<A HREF= " http://jackierenee88.homestead.com/Jackie1.html " >

<A HREF= " http://jackierenee88.homestead.com/1.html " >

<A HREF= " http://jacjoejensplace.homestead.com/JennasPage.html " >Jenna

<A HREF= " http://jacjoejensplace.homestead.com/NewBaby.html " >Kamryn

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Get your daughter to a Developmental Pediatrician as soon as possible. They

can assess whether or not your daughter is apraxic. In the meantime,

continue with Speech but ask if they have one qualified to treat an apraxic

child. If not, encourage your child's current therapist to get some info. on

apraxia and work with some of the exercises she thinks will help your

daughter.

Also, although expensive, consider getting your daughter some private

services. I know four months will pass quickly but you don't want to wait

for your district to take over. You may be back in the same boat. My

district did not have a qualified therapist to treat my son and we had him

sent out of district. Also, contact your district to get the ball rolling.

Services can begin on her third birthday but she can be evaluated now by the

district. Waiting lists can be long so start making the appointments.

Good luck. It's a tough situation but keep up with your research. You are

your child's best advocate.

Janet

[Guest guest]

what is a developmental pediatrician? How would i find one in my area?

[Guest guest]

I need some advise from who every wants to give it. My 2 yr 8 mo old daughter

started EI in our state in Nov. I was concerned about her speech for quite some

time before this, and discussed it with her pediatrician who would not refer her

to a speech pathologist. During this time, I combed everything I could find on

speech delays and disablities, and the symptoms of apraxia sounded like a pretty

good diagnosis to me. Finally, since her Dr. wouldn't refer her to a

specialist, I contacted EI who accessed her at a >25 percent delay in speech.

Two weeks ago, I was asked by her SP, if I had every heard apraxia. She then

told me that she had to get a book(borrow it from another SP)that would evaluate

whether she had apraxia or not. At the following visit, she had my daughter try

to move her tongue in various positions. Of course I had a million questions,

and finally she told me that she had never dealt with apraxia, she would have to

do some research on the web site to answer my questions. This told me that I

probably know more about the subject after all the research I've done.

Here';s my problem. I drive 20 miles each way for a 45 minute session with a SP

who has never dealt with apraxia? I also feel like since she will be 3 in May,

that the SP will just wait it out until she knows the county school will take

over.

HELP

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Based on your questions, it sounds like you are on the ball and on

your way to being a great advocate for your child.

A couple of thoughts crossed my mind. First 2 sessions may not be

enough time to really tell how well they will connect. Which leads me

to my concern that your daughter is " stubborn " . Is this because your

daughter isn't following along? An odd thing for an SLP to say after

2 sessions. Motor planning is such a key planning when dealing with

apraxia. My son didn't imitate his first therapist. It wasn't because

he didn't want to he couldn't.

The plan is important! Even if a child is not apraxic he may still

have oral motor issues, is she going to work on this, see if the

tongue moves side to side, up and down?

The truth is therapy for apraxia is different so the plan should be

different. I would ask her if she is familiar with the PROMPT or any

cuing technique. How many apraxic children is she currently dealing

with? Here is an old post I put in the bookmarks section from

Deborah Van den Beemt, an SLP in NH who is a member of this list.

/message/4614

How is your daughter once therapy starts. Is she able to engage her

in play activities?

In terms of your pediatrician refusing the referral, so many of us

have had this happen. Print out the info from the WEB site so he can

see why you are concerned. If you need to find someone in your area

knowledgeable about apraxia, you can either write back with where you

are from or if you want to keep it private, feel free to e-mail

nicole@.... She is Cherab's Outreach Coordinator and

may have someone who lives near you who knows of an experienced SLP

or neurologist

Just some thoughts. Good luck and follow your motherly instincts!

denise

--- In @y..., " mememom2002 " <mememom2002@y...>

wrote:

> Hi,

> thanks to those who wrote back. It sure is nice to know that there

> are others our there listening. I don't always feel comfortable

> talking about this with friends - especially since most have kids

> same age, but sooo different. I really don't have any so close

here

> since we are pretty new in town.

> went to her 2nd speech therapy session. I just don't know if

> these two are going to connect. Her therapist thinks she

> is " stubborn " , and maybe she is a bit. But there is also the thing

> that takes awhile to warm up to people, doesn't like them to

> pick her up right away, and is used to some kind of explanation

> (usually from me) about when and why we are doing things that are

> not " her way " . After reading on the site, I asked her SP what

> the " plan " was, and what she thought " had " (i.e., oral motor

> apraxia, verbal apraxia). She said she was not sure, and that

> it " didn't really matter " . UUUGGG that didn't satisfy me at all.

We

> also asked her pediatrician whether should see a pediatric

> neurologist to " diagnose " her. She also said no, and that SP

should

> help to identify the problem.

> I really don't know what to do now, but we are paying pretty big

$$$

> for private SP, and I want to be sure this is going somewhere.

> Anyone experiencing this?

> What to do?

> & ( 2+9mos)

[Guest guest]

I have been pretty much in the same boat as you when it comes to SLP's and lack

of

experience with apraxia. For the next 2 months, until my daughter turns 3, the

new

EI SLP (the first one we had a year ago for a short was a disaster) is coming to

our

home. Then we're back to a 30 minute one-way drive to our sessions at the

university

speech clinic, where there is also a lack of experience. The current SLP is open

to

my suggestions and I've discussed with her all that I've learned about it and

the

advised therapies. As far as I know she's researching it and given her a list of

some

of the websites that I know of (adding that they have areas for professionals

and

experienced SLP's who will give advice). In addition, I work with my daughter

myself,

but I feel even an inexperienced SLP who is willing to learn about apraxia is

necessary because I'm not trained in speech therapy techniques or in picking up

the

sounds. A trained ear is better at distinguishing the subtleties of speech.

Since we

only have a short time with this therapist, also, I made an extensive list of

most of

the words my daughter uses regularly, unprompted, and how she articulates them

so she

could have a head start and not use up valuable sessions. As I understand it,

it's

important to start work with what the apraxic child is already capable of,

rather

than follow the normal stages of speech development.

Hope this helps a little.

Barbara

Finley wrote:

> I need some advise from who every wants to give it. My 2 yr 8 mo old

daughter

> started EI in our state in Nov. I was concerned about her speech for quite

some

> time before this, and discussed it with her pediatrician who would not refer

her to

> a speech pathologist. During this time, I combed everything I could find on

speech

> delays and disablities, and the symptoms of apraxia sounded like a pretty good

> diagnosis to me. Finally, since her Dr. wouldn't refer her to a specialist, I

> contacted EI who accessed her at a >25 percent delay in speech. Two weeks

ago, I

> was asked by her SP, if I had every heard apraxia. She then told me that she

had to

> get a book(borrow it from another SP)that would evaluate whether she had

apraxia or

> not. At the following visit, she had my daughter try to move her tongue in

various

> positions. Of course I had a million questions, and finally she told me that

she

> had never dealt with apraxia, she would have to do some research on the web

site to

> answer my questions. This told me that I probably know more about the subject

after

> all the research I've done.

>

> Here';s my problem. I drive 20 miles each way for a 45 minute session with a

SP

> who has never dealt with apraxia? I also feel like since she will be 3 in

May,

> that the SP will just wait it out until she knows the county school will take

over.

>

> HELP

>

[Guest guest]

Hi --

Two ways to find developmental pediatricians that I know of . . .

1) Call your insurance plan, ask for the special needs case coordinator, then

ask for a list of developmental pediatricians in your network (these aren't

necessarily the same peds that are listed in your member handbook as they are

specialists).

2) Most hospitals can give you a list of dev peds, too. Childrens hospitals

are your best bet.

-BJ in polis, MD

[Guest guest]

a developmental pediatrician is one who specializes in developmental

assessment and development issues.

i never heard of one before sara's first assessment, but her regular

pediatrician referred me to one.

your best bet would probably be to ask your doctor for a name.

tami

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I found my son's developmental pediatricain from his

pediatricain who reccomended getting one.

Ask your childs pediatrician and you can also call

your local hospital where they can maybe help you.

Sincerely,

Eileen

--- jal6262@... wrote:

> what is a developmental pediatrician? How would i

> find one in my area?

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- jal6262@... wrote:

> what is a developmental pediatrician? How would i

> find one in my area?

>

> Hi, A Developmental Pediatrician is more

knowledgeable about, more experience, more hands-on

and all should know various special needs(but some

specialize in..ex: Autism) vs your regular

pediatrician. They will help you with behaviors, track

your childs progress, give suggestions on therapies,

medications(if needed) and views on education. Your

local Children's Hospital is good place to start. My

son is Autistic and we live in PA. We see Dr.

Levy at CHOP(Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) I

hope this helps..

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

What is a special needs coordinator for insurance? I have never

heard of that.

Thanks,

Suzi

> Hi --

> Two ways to find developmental pediatricians that I know of . . .

>

> 1) Call your insurance plan, ask for the special needs case

coordinator, then

> ask for a list of developmental pediatricians in your network

(these aren't

> necessarily the same peds that are listed in your member handbook

as they are

> specialists).

>

> 2) Most hospitals can give you a list of dev peds, too. Childrens

hospitals

> are your best bet.

>

> -BJ in polis, MD

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Before you waste too much money, I would find a

neurologist or developmental pediatrician. If your SP

doesn't know/doesn't care, I doubt it is a good fit.

If you have a diagnosis, you have something to work

with to submit your receipts to your insurance

company.

Good luck!

=====

Michele L. Wysocki

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- jal6262@... wrote:

> what is a developmental pediatrician? How would i

> find one in my area?

>

>

That's a pediatrician who specializes in children's

development and knows better to diagnose or not, a

child's condition. They test and evaluate and refer to

other specialists when necessary. Ask your

pediatrician for a referral, or call your local

hospital (better if it's a children's hospital), or

university.

Martha

__________________________________________________