Speech Threapy Evaluation

A while ago, I posted a thread (http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about785168.html) about my son going through hearing and speech evaluations. He had his hearing evaluation mid October. They couldn't/didn't do all of the testing that was ordered (a whole different issue) but said he doesn't have any hearing issues. So, on Monday, I will be taking him in for a speech eval.

I am wondering what to expect. Also, anyone's children that have been through speech therapy - was it difficult to get through insurance? My son's pedi mentioned this could be a difficult battle.

Any input or thoughts would be helpful!

Quoting CrapBag.:“ A while ago, I posted a thread (http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about785168.html) about my son going through ... [snip!] ... to get through insurance? My son's pedi mentioned this could be a difficult battle. Any input or thoughts would be helpful!”

My insurance had a specific number of yearly visits. I don't have to pay anything now, though, because we are in the Birth to Three program because he needs OT, too. I think it might have been 20 visits, so we were planning to do every other week.

Quoting loving life!:“ My insurance had a specific number of yearly visits. I don't have to pay anything now, though, because ... [snip!] ... to Three program because he needs OT, too. I think it might have been 20 visits, so we were planning to do every other week.”

Thank you - can I ask why your son needs speech therapy?

Quoting CrapBag.:“ Thank you - can I ask why your son needs speech therapy?”

He had fluid in his ears. We did a speech eval before a hearing test, though. Actually his speech therapist is the one who suggested we get it done. I wish the pedi had just thought of that, first. It was a really round-about way to do everything. But whatever, it got the job done! He wasn't even babbling at a year old. I had no idea!

Quoting loving life!:“ He had fluid in his ears. We did a speech eval before a hearing test, though. Actually his speech therapist ... [snip!] ... round-about way to do everything. But whatever, it got the job done! He wasn't even babbling at a year old. I had no idea!”

Gavin started out with fluid in his ears, too. His dr. thinks it is possible that it happened during key learning, putting him behind.

Quoting CrapBag.:“ Gavin started out with fluid in his ears, too. His dr. thinks it is possible that it happened during key learning, putting him behind.”

How old is he, and how behind is he, and in what areas?

Q got the tubes put in his ears around 13 months. We have no idea how long the fluid had been in there. He has been in speech since 12 months and is just NOW starting to use words. He is also behind on fine motor skills. He has a few other issues, too. We have suspected he has autism since he was about 15 months and he still didn't know how to or understand the concept of waving bye-bye. Which he still doesn't do.

I'm not trying to freak you out or anything! It's just interesting to see where other kids in this situation stand. We thought that the tubes would "fix" his problems because we thought that was his only problem. It was only after his hearing was fine that we started to realize a lot of other things are "off".

Quoting loving life!:“ How old is he, and how behind is he, and in what areas? Q got the tubes put in his ears around 13 months. ... [snip!] ... he was about 15 months and he still didn't know how to or understand the concept of waving bye-bye. Which he still doesn't do.”

He is 20 months. I am not sure how far behind he is - I am thinking some of that will come on Monday?

Some of the things his dr. said he should be able to say/do and he doesn't:
4 consistent words vs. 10
If I ask him where mommy is, he doesn't know or point to me - same with daddy
He just started babbling in the last week or so
If I ask him to go get his shoes, he doesn't know what that means
Those are just examples.

Quoting loving life!:“ I'm not trying to freak you out or anything! It's just interesting to see where other kids in this situation ... [snip!] ... that was his only problem. It was only after his hearing was fine that we started to realize a lot of other things are "off".”

you aren't freaking me out. I am ok with with the outcome if he needs therapy - whatever we need to do to help him, if he needs help.

Quoting CrapBag.:“ you aren't freaking me out. I am ok with with the outcome if he needs therapy - whatever we need to do to help him, if he needs help.”

I see. Well if he qualifies I would definitely suggest going the Early Intervention route instead of just speech. They are called Birth to Three in WI, but not sure about MN. Quentin doesn't point either, or say mama or dada really. He has begun to understand a lot of words and can point to pictures in a book. He can also point to body parts on another person but not himself. Speech and OT have helped a TON! Hopefully your son catches up in no time!

My son is about 21 months, btw. He doesn't understand commands so much, but words he does so if you ask him to get his shoes he will go by his shoes and sit down and wait for me to put them on him.

Quoting loving life!:“ I see. Well if he qualifies I would definitely suggest going the Early Intervention route instead of ... [snip!] ... to body parts on another person but not himself. Speech and OT have helped a TON! Hopefully your son catches up in no time!”

He can point to a fan or light - sometimes.
He says dad, but not mom. Body parts are a no way. If he holds my hand and I point my finger, he can move it to the part I mention - nose, eyes or mouth.

I am looking forward to knowing more and I will do whatever it takes to help him out.

Does he "show" you things that are interesting to him? Does he use your hand to try to get what he wants instead of communicating? Does he play with the whole toy or just parts? These are some of Quentin's issues that have me worried about autism. It's hard to know if they can really just stem from the hearing issue or if there is something wrong.

Quoting loving life!:“ Does he "show" you things that are interesting to him? Does he use your hand to try to get what he wants ... [snip!] ... me worried about autism. It's hard to know if they can really just stem from the hearing issue or if there is something wrong.”

His dr doesn't think he has autism, but he will shout at me for it / he is vocal, just not in a way I'd understand him. We are getting better - he used to get very frustrated, but now we talk to him more, if that makes sense.
He is very active physically. I am not worried about that at all. He runs, jumps, plays with all of his toys and figures them out quickly. Art, play doh and cars are favorites.

Quoting CrapBag.:“ His dr doesn't think he has autism, but he will shout at me for it / he is vocal, just not in a way ... [snip!] ... that at all. He runs, jumps, plays with all of his toys and figures them out quickly. Art, play doh and cars are favorites.”

Ok I just wanted to know because Quentin never developed the showing thing and has always been fascinated with spinning things. OT has helped him play with toys better but he just copies what people do, he doesn't understand why they do it. I'm glad I can be a little more confident it's a separate issue from his hearing. Thanks!

I think your son will have a lot of fun in speech. Q's therapist basically just plays with toys with him the whole time, and all the activities are very easy to do at home!