We went for his formal screening last Tuesday for admittance into the CHEO SLP program. He was not feeling great at all but was very good overall. The one hour session actually took 2.5 hours. :0

I heard a lot of "10 month level", "12 month level", "15 month level". That was much worse than I thought it should be. She asked me how many "words" he has and I said around 20 to 25. Most of these are like "mo" for more and certain undetermined sounds he makes for things but we do have words here plus he is signing more and more or at least responding to it. She says he has 5 words.

She told me he is definately needing intervention and we are catching it early. (we knew that having gone through this once before with a much older child). She told me we can only do one of two programs but as the CHEO one does not start up until May she does not want to leave us as we are and will arrange some other interim program for him. It actually sounded like he is so severe. Again, I heard lots and lots of "he is in his own world". I have heard this before with Walker and believe me I am seasoned enough to know by now he is NOT suffering from aspergers or autism. This kiddo will look me in the eye and is responsive. Walker's experience taught us so very much and I am positive that the withdrawl at times is a communication problem only. Once we overcome the frustration he has then we will move far ahead as we did with Walker.

So when I got back to work after the appointment she called me and we talked a bit about it all. She picked up that I was very put off by such a low evaluation and she said she would be willing to re do some of it this coming Tuesday and I agreed. We also agreed that I would complete the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory of Words and Gestures (posted as a sticky here on this forum) and also the child development inventory (300 questions) in addition. I asked the daycare to complete both as well so that I could compare the two and see if we are on the same page with all of this. Right off I have to say that both of these things are rather depressing when I look at them as a whole but I know he is on the verge of so much of this stuff and it is only a matter of time.

She tells me to treat him like he is around 10 to 12 months of age. Uh, no. I do agree he has a delay but again I do not think it is THAT far behind. He is 25 months old for goodness sake and he speaks better than my firstborn did at this stage.

It's so hard for them to make an accurate assessment in an hour, or even 2 1/2, although they are [trained] professionals. I think you'll get a more comprehensive picture of his skills once you add your questionnaire answers to the SLP's assessment.

That is what I am hoping for Lesley. I was rather upset after I got back to work as it was just so darn depressing and that is why I have not posted about it until now. The assessments we are doing at home are depressing as well but again I see progress and lots of potential. The MacArthur one is particularly depressing as it might as well be untestable for now since there is so little I can check off as yes.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see how the daycare compares to me. The SLP was surprised and then delighted that I did this on my own as she does think it will give a better picture overall. (I photcopied the sheets for them and asked for them to do it)

She did rather emphasize that we should keep up with the sign language as it will be a great help for Iain. She actually did not know much sign language herself and asked me what we were signing and such. She was going to get sheets on this for us but I already have some great links we are using for it. We just added in "juice" for him and I will add another one or two in the next few days. He really is starting to cotton on.

I agree with Lesley. That's a quick judgment call in such little time. And, to treat him like a 10-12 month old? I would think if that happens, then Iain would not feel challenged to progress. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm not an SLP. :oops:

:hug:, Leigh. I know the feeling about not wanting to post an update when what you've learned is not what is expected. I felt that way after Em's feeding eval.

That's great, however, that she is not making Iain wait until May for intervention. It seems like only a few months away, but the sooner the better.

I agree with Lesley too..Very quick judgement in such a small amount of time.
Please let us know how his questionare assessment goes....Hugs Leigh, I can't imagine how frustrating it is when you have someone telling you to treat your 2 year old, like a one year old! I'd be a little put off myself! Good Luck leigh and I hope you have some answers soon:)

First let me say that although I am now a sahm, I was once a worker for an early intervention program. My degree is in psychology and biology. We a fed so full of bulls**t about what kids should be doing when. I have come to the conclusion that the people that set the parameters don't have kids themselves. Granted there is a "usual" time frame that kids do things, but when a kid falls to one side of the other of those parameters then they are considered not normal, delayed or advanced. For the majority of these kids, they are normal. That's not to say that we do see delays in kids with more serious issues such a autism and asperger's, but at 2 and such a short time spent with him, this person made an extremely quick judgement. I had a boy that did eventually go on to be diagnose with asperger's. But that was a conclusion that took many many months and evaluations to come too. Now from a regular person's stand point, my nephew had absolutely no words at 25 months. I mean NONE. We were concerned and of course everyone was looking to me to say something. But I stayed out of it. He did at times seem to be in his own world, his behavior was to put it mildly, awful most of the time. He was wild as a buck and very hard to control. He will be 4 next month. He is still technichally delayed, but speaks pretty well. His behavior is so much better now that he can communicate his needs. Then you take my Abby, she talked in complete sentences at 18 months old. You could actually carry on a converstation with her. Now at 4, I assume that she is like most other 4 year olds developmentally. I would go through with having the daycare complete the assesments and you do as well. But I have to say from both a professional and personal stand point, it is too early to be making the kind of judgements she made. Those need to be made over time and after interacting with him more in his own environment. He also should be comfortable enough with a worker that he would behave as he would at home every day, to really get a good assesment of his development. If he looks you in the eyes and plays with you and his brothers and asks, however he may ask, to be played with, then it is definately a good sign that you don't have to worry about autism. I think it is awful when because a kids is speech delayed, they automatically start throwing autism around. Does he understand what you say to him? Follow commands and so forth? Speech delay and language delay are two different things. I was just curious. Keep positive. He is still very young. Don't let them label him. Labels are destructive and hinder developement. It has been my experience if you label a child, especially prematurely, that they will never live beyond their label. I will be thinking about you. I hope everything works out.

{{{HUGS}}}, Leigh. Yes, I think that it sounds like a hasty call and hopefully you have the more accurate judgment of Iain. Actually, I know you do. Mommies are brilliant when it comes to their own babies (especially, you).

I think its absolutely wonderful that Iain is signing. That must be such a relief to the little guy to be able to communicate with his hands when he is unable to with words. He will get those words, though, one of these days. I hope that these programs work well for him.

What will his next signs be?

That was really a quick judgement in such short time.
I hope the programs are helping him.

Leigh, I think you have to trust yourself--no one knows your son better than you. You know what he responds to best and you have been thru this before. I hope that they will be of help to your little man. He will do great with your support and love. We have to think big for our kids or they will not push themselves.

Leigh I am going to agree with Melissa.Too much emphasis is put on milestones. Hopefully it will all work out in the end, if it isn't going to go the way you want at least you are in the best place for it.

Try and keep your chin up, hard to do, especially when you all aren't feeling the best. Thinking of you.

The other ladies have already made great points, Leigh, and I agree that you need to treat Iain like any other 2 yo. I'm hoping that what the lady meant is that you should speak to him in slow and simple two-word sentences. Wishing you guys the best!