Help! Speech Therapy - Yes or No? When Can I Use My Own Judgement?

Hi, S. -

I have been going through the same thing for the last 1 1/2 years. My daughter is in speech and at first they thought she had a hearing problem but I didn't. Then I started to wonder so I took her and had her tested to put it to rest that she didn't have a hearing problem which she doesn't. If I was you I would have a second opinion because it sounds like they didn't do the test right in the first place so I think you have some doubts? I know for my daughter it has been very important that she has been in speech and we do get services through the school district. I know what you are going through. M.

I'm a physical therapist in an orthopedic clinic so am talking to you from the other side. If I ever evaluated a patient and they felt things were different than what I saw, I would definately want to know their thoughts. We don't see you but an hour 2 or 3 times a week. A 4 year old can change rapidly. If the pre-school teacher thinks she's on track, then I would contact the speech path and let her know that you feel your daughter has made some progress and you won't be continuing with her at this time. You should never feel guilty about your decision, if you feel it is in your child's best interest. If you see a need for the speech in the future, you can either continue with the previous speech path or get another opinion. You have the choice.

I have a daughter who is now 5 she has and speech help since 4 and still does. She has imporved greatly. We also have a 3 yr old son whom we had tested by request of his teachers. I got the paper work back however and he doesn't need the help though his teachers insist that he does. I have said no. If you fill your child no longer needs the help then it is your right as her mom to say no. Dont fill bad for it. Even her teacher thinks she is doing good. I say dont worry about other people and do what you fill is right for your daughter.

I have had several family members tell me that they think my son has speech problems, but I think he is just fine. I suppose you could say I'm in a bit of the opposite situation as you. My son happens to be bilingual and english is my native language (he goes to a school where they speak Korean). I love that he is bilingual and wont' change that about his care....but bilingual kids develop language slower than other kids. I guess basically, I'm trying to relate. You said that your daughter's doctor seemed to think that an initial visit or two and a few exercises, she would be good to go, and you seem to think she has improved greatly. There are certain areas where I think the medical/professionals are trying to "label" everyone with something. It sounds as if her teachers think she is developing normally at this point also and as if you in your heart, believe she is fine, but feel that she has had an unfair label placed on her. I would suggest going with your heart and not going through with the other evaluations. Just keep in mind that if she needs them in the future, they will still be there. To put your mind at ease, you can have her medical doctor speak with her again and tell you what he thinks now...or get a second opinion. I know it's hard sometimes to ignore the labels, but sometimes you have to do what you you have to do. Good luck.

well... in my personal experience with my son who is 2 almost 3..... I will go to whatever initial evaluations are requested/suggested and see what the therapists have to say...what their dignosis is. However, I take that information coupled withmy own research and mama instinct and make the ultimate choices for my son. I have 4 children. Dylan needs speech therapy due to long term fluid in his ears now rectified with tubes.... he also has some mild autism/auspergers symptoms that we are in the process of diagnosing officially. Additionally, as a result of the fluid in his ears for so long, he has developed soime vestibular/sensory issues requiring occupational therapy....

If I were in your position, I would have a second speech eval done though Mary Bridge or another clinic (Try CLASS in Federal Way) - I would also see about the other developmental evals and get a second opinion.... you never know.... and you dot want to find out in 3 years that there is an issue that could have been addressed now....

Hi, Our daughter is 4 1/2 and has been in speech therapy since she was 2 years old. She was adopted internationally so has been a bit delayed but is pretty much caught up. Any therapist that we have dealt with has been very receptive to our thoughts and questions regarding our daughter's progress and I'm sure your's will be as well. It sounds like your preschool teacher doesn't really have any concerns and you know your child best so I think you should trust your instincts.

That being said, I have found that there is a stigma sometimes associated with children in therapy like it is a bad thing. I know some in our family don't understand why our daughter is continuing in her program now that she is caught up for the most part developmentally. I see it more as why not take advantage of the help now while my daughter is young. Plenty of studies out there prove that kids do far better when they get early intervention with any kind of delay or issue. If you are feeling guilty perhaps getting a second opinion will help you feel differently and either confirm that your daughter does not need help or give you additional insight as to why she needs to continue in speech therapy. You don't have to wait until your daughter is 5 to have her evaluated for therapy in the school district. Just contact your local district to have them set up an appointment for an evaluation. It is free and they would take over anyway once she is in school full time.

I do think that labels can sometimes be handed out too easily so that is why it would be a good idea to get another opinion and continue to do research on your own and just trust your instincts and the knowledge that you know your child best and what she is capable of. One therapy can lead to another and there are other delays that can go hand in hand with a speech delay. I can't even tell you the number of kids I know personally that are getting some sort of therapy for speech or motor issue. If you daughter does need to continue with speech therapy, just remember that she is very much "normal" regardless of any lable attached to her.

Good Luck!

I do accounting for a living but I have a degree in Speech Therapy. My son was a little slow at developing speech but what we found was that in daycare no one really conversed with him. When I had my daughter and I was home for awhile his speech came in full force. If it were me, I would rule out hearing issues first. Sometimes all it takes is getting tubes. I always repeated what my children said saying all the sounds correctly. Articulation is a maturation process as well as practice. There are lots of games for computers and with fun learning books for language aquisition. If you aren't sure whether your child really needs the speech therapy right now then let the school district test your child in kindergarten for free. The best parents test out what their children need to succeed and you have done that. Normal is not the issue and there is nothing to prove, just knowing what your child needs and how they learn makes them succeed in school.

Hi S., I can feel your frustration. You did all the right things to get your daughter evaluated and into seeing a speech therapist. And obviously she is doing well in your opinion. I wonder if getting a second opinion would ease your mind...I don't think you trust the speech therapists scoring and are questioning the amount of visits she "needs". Your daughter's teacher is such a valuable resource and advocate for your daughter, as well as you. If she has made strides than she probably just needed a gentle push in the language developemnt direction. Ask your pediatrician for another referral. Also when she is 5 years old, and if you decide to send her to public school. public schools can evaluate her and get her speech therapy free of charge. Good luck...I'm going through the whole "do I trust this person evaluating my daughter?" We do slap labels on too soon to children and it is a shame.

S.,

As moms we really want to do the best for our children and sometimes we need a second opinion about our ideas. I am not in the position to say if your child needs a speech professional or not, but when ever I am unsure if I want to take a professionals advice I will supplement what I am doing so I am at least respecting that there could be something going on and I am taking steps to help the situation. Maybe an option would be to start teaching her how to read and sound out the letters. There is a really good program that focuses on English as a code with sounds. It is called Reading Reflex by Read America www.readamerica.net (you can pick up the book at your local library). It's widely known and some schools use this method because it works good for children and adults that speak a language from another country. This way, if all you get out of it is geting an early start on reading, hey that's cool. And you'll be working on speech at the same time LOL.

Take Care,
G.

HI S.,
I haven't read your other responses, so I don't know what everyone else has said to you, but I can tell you that I know EXACTLY how you feel. Unfortunately my son does have some special needs, but I have to say that his whole life has been full of evaluations & it does get old. I am getting used to it, but the first several evals he had really upset me. I get so tired of my son being "tested" all the time, like has to prove himself to somebody. I used to get so mad at their "by the book" charts. They would go down the list, so something with him one time & mark that he's not doing it, it just seemed so unfair to me. Then I realized that they are on my side too, that everyone is simply just trying to help my child. Finally I realized, so what if he scores low & I know he can do better, that just means that they will provide more therapy & what can that hurt? Nothing. My son's whole life I have been at war inside with the same struggle your facing, "am I being a good mom?, am I letting my son down if I don't go along with what they say?, etc. etc..." I do know one thing though, for a while I thought my son didn't need OT anymore & I decided to drop it, only to see a few months down the road that he still needed it & found myself feeling angry & embarrassed for stopping it when I did. It really does boil down to one thing though and that is go with your gut & don't look back. If you decide not to continue with speech, then don't feel guilty about it. I'm sure that along with you, her preschool is striving to meet her needs & if for some reason you all agree down the line that she needs it again, then just start it up again. Your not doing the wrong thing if you decide to quit now.

Children learn different sounds and levels of speech at certain ages. If she is doing fine now, there is no need to continue the therapy. Maybe the therapist needs a new car. Starting her therapy early is the best thing you could have done, so don't worry about problems that aren't there. If she starts to have some later, her teacher will tell you about it and you can decide what to do then.

My grandson wasn't talking when he was 2 1/2. His pediatrician referred him to both a private speech therapist and the school district. Federal law mandates that they make evaluations and provide treatment if needed. You definately should not wait until she is 5. They told my grandson's mother that if she'd brought him in sooner he could have more help at home. At three he started in a preschool paid for by the state. He was not improving speech wise and was acting out. Again the school district provided a therapeutic preschool and his behavior has improved immensely. At 4, he is still struggling with speech and they are going to place him with a therapist who can see him every day.

Your daughter is obviously much better at speech than my grandson. We still can't understand him most of the time but he is finally trying to talk. I recommend that you have a second evaluation thru the school district. It costs nothing and if they recommend further treatment that will also cost nothing. I have been very favorably impressed with everyone from the school district and the treatment center. They are knowledgable, kind, sensitive, and caring.

One reason that I recommend a second opinion is that there may be something going on that isn't obvious or noticeable. However, I would start by questioning her current therapist, as another mom and also a professional, has suggested. Ask constructive questions and get helpful answers. Perhaps you will decide to continue with her, or not. I don't know your financial and/or insurance situation but if money is a part of your decision the school district evaluates and treats for free. (well, not actually free. Our taxes pay for it. :):):))

Speech is very complicated and involves muscles and nerves other than those in the mouth. It's best to get treatment as early as you can. The therapist may be seeing something that will be a problem later. For example, I was taught exercises to do with my tongue in first grade. One symptom that I can remember is that I couldn't curl my tongue.

It is your decision! Just get as much information as you can before you make it.