Ds's speech screening

[Amy]

Ds went to Child Find for a screening about his speech. The lady played blocks with him and tried to engage him in casual conversation. He counted a couple of times and said a few other words, but within 3 min. he decided he was done and wanted to leave. The lady said she couln't pinpoint any answers for me and that she wanted him to get a full screening through the school district. If they find problems, than he would go to language classes in the school district. Im thrilled that we are getting the ball rolling on this and early. I was didn't put him in pre-school because I didn't want him to be self-conscious and I didn't think he was mature enough to be in a school setting. Hopefully, by mid-year, I can place him in there.

One thing I was very curious about was the screener said she thought that ds had some behavioral problems associated with his speech. She said he was purposely being inattentive and chooses to remove himself from engaging in talk. She thought that he is making choices not to talk and if he can get away with it, he does. I've never pushed him to talk, but I can't imagine anyone in my family who doesn't want their thoughts heard very loudly!! LOL I think he may have a combination of speech and behavioral problems. He has trouble making phonic sounds and when he gets frustrated or doesn't want to keep sounding them out with me, he tunes himself out of the situation. Any one have thoughts?? Is this something that will work itself out completely?

[MaryL]

Isn't he 3? A lot of three year olds don't "perform" on command. Especially for a stranger, in a new environment. I'd pursue the full screening, but don't be surprised if the same things happens. You may end up with a screener the next time that is more able to connect with your ds, and thus get him to talk more. (I always suggest that the screeners talk to your child about his/her family, favorite t.v. shows.....use M&M's to name colors...etc. )It might be helpful to meet with the screener person prior to your appointment, just to warn her of your ds's self-consciousness with his speech. (Of course, I'm not against bribes.....if your ds is into that!) LOL

[TXmom]

How old is your son? I would really recommend that you take him for a complete diagnostic evaluation by an accredited speech/language pathologist. Here's a link to a site that will help you find one:
http://www.asha.org
It's the web site of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associatation which is the national professional organization for SLPs.
Amy, it's not going to be cheap, but from what I remember reading in your past posts, this is what I'd really recommend. A langugage disorder and a speech disorder are two very different things. It's much more difficult to treat a language disorder than a speech (articulation in your son's case) disorder. If he's over 3 he can be seen in public schools, but those SLPs sometimes have very large caseloads.

Keep us posted.

[AnnW]

Hooray for early intervention!!!
That sort of makes sense. He has trouble talking so he doesn't talk which doesn't help his trouble talking. But I can also see how a child could use it as a form of manipulation too.
I think TxMom and Mary had great suggestions about a full screening.

[Amy]

He is going in for a full evaluation in a couple of weeks through the school district. Our insurance company will not put out a referral for this until I get a AEP form from the school district. The school district won't release a form until he goes through a screening (which we did yesterday). I will probably go through the school district for now because it is free and local. If after the evaluation and classes, I don't like it, than I will go back to my insurance to go private and have them pay for it.

Ds turned 3 in May. And AnnW, you hit it right on the head with the cyclical behavior between his speech and behavior. He needs A LOT of repitition and has difficulty saying more than on syllable words. He wants to blend words and sentences into one word.

Donna-the inital evaluation will be done by an ECD specialist through the district. Now you have me wondering and will call my insurance again to see if I should go private with it.

MaryL-bribing goes only so far with him before he gets up and screams with frustration. I do like the MM one for colors though!!

[Amy]

I just talked to my insurance company. They said I have to go through the school district for the full exam and if after that, the school district thinks he needs an even more indepth evalution or supplemental classes in the private sector, than they will pay for it. I think the director of special education in the district and I will become very familiar with each other. Ds will get all the help I can lay at his feet.

BTW, thanks for all the input!

[TXmom]

That is awesome, Amy! I haven't heard of many instances where insurance will pay for speech/language therapy.

As for as the difference between speech and language, speech is the motor act, and language is the code. Speech is planning and positioning the tongue, lips, etc. and moving the breath. You can have speech without language. Language is grammar, snytax, the length and complexity of sentences, ability to tell a story, etc.

You mentioned that you have to repeat yourself sometimes before your son will do what you ask. There may be a receptive language delay. You might think he understands what you're saying, but he may be relying heavily on your nonverbal cues such as gestures and facial expressons.

Sounds like you've got lots of resources available to you. Oh, one thing. Therapy for a child this age should look like they're playing. I had a neighbor once ask me if I could do artic. therapy for her son because she was paying a private therapist, and all they did was "play games and eat candy". That's what it's supposed to be for a child. There's a lot of planning and strategy that goes into that game though, if the therapist is doing her job. Make sure you know what the goals (objectives) are for your son's therapy so you know if he's making progress.

[Amy]

Our insurance is awesome. The military will take very could care of you medically. If they can't fix my child with their resources, my Ped. puts in a referral to have a private outside institution do it.

My dd kept going between the ENT and the Ped. and finally they referred us to an allergist right near where I live. The insurance paid for all her testing and medication. I guess this is our bonus for having lousy pay and long breaks in family time.