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Speech Delays
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Posted by ryanne (My Page) on Sat, Jan 6, 07 at 18:15
Hi my son was 3 and not meeting his speech milestones before my family doctor referred him to a pediatrician
At 3.5 his speech therapist who he only saw for 1 hr a week in blocks (meaning he didn't see her every week and ) started suggesting that he may be autistic. My son shows no signs of autism other than in the speech area. He is being referred to a neuro pediatrician because I have demanded it. I live in Canada and it takes forever to get any services, I asked to have early intervention for him and 15 minutes into my sons first at home meeting, The interventionist was suggesting that I get a label on him for funding reasons ie; autism , even if it's not correct so I could use the services the government offers.
I am starting to get really frustrated, I have told the pediatrician on both of my (long awaited appointments x2) that I believe my son is getting headaches ( these appointments were a year apart) She asked me how I could possibly know that. I told her he comes to me and says booboo and gets me to kiss his head and one of ears is usually beat red at the same time. Anyways I have spent endless hours on rearching symptoms and gone to autism sites and speech apraxia sites and then I found a kid that presented himself like my boy. Does anyone else have this problem.
Thanks Frustrated in Canada
Watch this if your worried about speech.
http://www.debtsmart.net/talk/inside_edition.asx
http://www.debtsmart.net/talk/inside_edition.asx |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Speech Delays
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I have an autistic grandson. He was atypical of an autistic child but for the speach delay. He was friendly, looked you in the eye and loved to hug.
My daughter understood the systam and worked to get a "label" as then the programs, not only to diagnose him but to help him were accessable.
Your son's headaches may be due to an ear infection.
Keep after the authorities, he has no one but you to fight his battles....and there are programs that can help.
Linda C |
RE: Speech Delays
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| You have to be your own advocate. My pediatrician dismissed my concerns when DD was a baby, and told me she just had sensitive skin/excema. It took a visit to urgent care due to breathing distress to find out she had food sensitivities. I switched pediatricians immediately, and have never regretted it. It's so refreshing to have a doc who is not dismissive. (I remember the first pediatrician, at one of DD's immunization visits, I told DD that it would pinch a bit - because I believe it's better to be honest than to lie. When the doc came in, she said "It wont hurt a bit, dont worry", and of course left - since the nurse does the actual shot. The look on DD's face at the confusion of the situation - I left that particular practice and never returned). You sound very concerned at the response of the pediatrician, I think you really should get another opinion. And if it's not autism - perhaps another medical condition (for example my dd's food allergies), weeks of waiting for an appointment can mean the difference between identifying something before it becomes even more of an issue. There is one thing I know. Your intuition as a mom should be listened to. And a GOOD pediatrician would not dismiss you. |
RE: Speech Delays
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Good advice from Linda and Trekaren --
I have a son with apraxia, autism and food intolerances, so that's where I'm coming from. YOU are going to be the person who makes all of the difference in your son's life. There is no one else who cares about him as much as you do, or who knows him better. Never forget that when the 'experts' start telling you things that don't fit, and patronize you with the 'we know best' look. The really good doc's KNOW that the 10-minute slice of your son's life that they view isn't typical, and that they had better listen to you if they want the real story. That said -- I'd give careful consideration to what your speech path is saying. Odds are good that if she's experienced, she has worked with lots of kids with autism or related issues, and she wouldn't bring it up without good reason. Now, she isn't qualified to diagnose autism. And it's hard to diagnose, period, except in the most conventional and serious cases. But as a 'label' to use for getting services, it's very, very effective -- and for that reason, if no other, it's a label you should look into. There's also a lot of good research and information on autism that applies to other disorders that you might not find otherwise. I saw your name on the Apraxia thread -- Definitely check out Apraxia-Kids.org if you haven't already. That's a great site, and Sharon and Donna over there are a wealth of information and support. (I hung there for 5-6 years...) Good luck with this -- And if you want to e-mail me privately, feel free -- my e-mail's linked here. |
RE: Speech Delays
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| Unfortunately, you have to play the system. If you need the "label" to get faster service, use it! I had to do something similar with my 10 month old twin to get therapy since she had some kind of developmental delay and it worked. I over exagerated her condition and I got service immediately. Otherwise, I was told that she would not have received any therapy and they would have left her to catch up on her own. You have to stay in control and manage the medical care your kids receive. Don't wait until someone decides that it is time to look into your case. The sooner you get treatment, for whatever the case might be, you will be able to confirm or rule out any conditions. Good luck!! |
RE: Speech Delays
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| Um...did anyone notice that she joined the day she posted, and has a crap email site to visit? |
RE: Speech Delays
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| Um...I would guess over 50% of new postings are from people that just joined the day they post. They join when they want to ask a question...not that odd in my book. And, I'm getting the link to work..It's an Inside Edition segment on verbal apraxia. Is that what you meant by cra% e-mail site? I think you may need Windows Media or something similar to play it. |
RE: Speech Delays
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| My friends son who is autistic gets very bad headaches every so often. Sometimes they are so severe that it makes him throw up. As far as i know, this is just a part of him. I really dont know alot on the subject but i thought this may help. |
RE: Speech Delays
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| Ninos - Has your friend's son seen a Pediatric Neurologist to investigate mirgaines or seizures? A high proportion of kids with autism have seizures, and the severe headaches bear looking into, if for no other reason. |
RE: Speech Delays
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| They may just be semi-related as well. I have suffered from migraines since birth. When I have a bad one I can't think straight or see properly. Look for other signs to determine a migraine...ie. glassy eyes, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity. I hate that you would be asked "how do you know"? You know! Keep researching and don't be put off by the word "autism". Autism is the broad umbrela that a lot of situations are catagorized under. There is still a big question mark as to how these kids need to be classified. Perhaps hopping on that boat will bring you to someone who can help you find out some of the answers that you are looking for. |
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