I'm trying to find a speech pathologist for Zac, however...am I looking for just that, a "Speech Therapist/Pathologist" or a "Pediatric Speech Therapist"....are they the same? Is there even such a term? Does a Speech Therapist cover pediatrics aswell or do they have to be specialized in this?
I have no clue where to start or how to start looking here. :dontknow:
Thanks in advance.

Call Early Intervention in your county. This is a federal program for children under 3. They'll take your information and set up an evaluation. That's who we're going through for Catherine.

Here ya go!

http://www.dade.k12.fl.us/9613/programs.html

:thumblef: THanks!

Did I miss that Zac has speech issues? I am sorry if I did. Have you had him screened yet?

Leigh, I posted in "updates" about his 15 month check-up today. (There's been a LOT of new posts so you probably haven' t seen it yet.) The Ped is just being proactive but doesn't seem too concerned giving his history with milestones. He's a bit slow at first, but once he catches it, he takes off.

Sara, could your Ped recommend someone to you? Connor was referred to a Pediatric Physical therapist and they also have Pediatric speech therapist there too.

Sara,
What is leading the Dr to want a theropist?

Kim,
Why a theropist for Connor too?

Call Early Intervention in your county. This is a federal program for children under 3. They'll take your information and set up an evaluation. That's who we're going through for Catherine.

So is early intervention different than what the doctor would send you to? I am waiting on a hearing test (apparently mandatory even though I KNOW he can hear since music calms him) and a speech eval pending insurance approval. Would it be faster to just call early intervention myself? I know our kids hospital has an early intervention, but I thought that maybe that was what the doctor was sending us to????

I asked the ped to recommend someone and she said "they are all very good." Sooo looks like i'm on my own. :dontknow: I'm goign to try to make some calls this afternoon.
Debbie,
I think we're just being proactive here. He babbles jibberish but does not "say" any words, nothing. He still does not point to things either. He looks and squeals. He also does not "bring" things to me to show me. Those were some questions she asked.

We see a speech therapist with Cooper and she does anyone, I would call around and see. There is definately better ones for kids, so ask them their experiencce with kids and how they go about it and what facilities they have for young kids.

Sara... Lesley and I had talked about Lauren and Catherine's speech issues, and I too decided to contact Early Intervention in my county. It's a totally free service, but our appt. was postponed until after her 15 mos. appt. next week.

It's better to be proactive now than wait until later if there are problems. It sounds as though Catherine, Zac and Lauren are in the same boat.

Let me know if you contact them and what they say. You know, one book says at 18 mos. they should have a vocabulary of 18-25 words, but then I read an article in a parenting magazine (can't remember which) that states that they should only use a few other words besides mama and dada, however, they should be able to understand simple instructions. I'm lost when it comes to speech.

Yeah, i'm lost too. :dontknow:
I am super, SUPER busy today so I hope I have the time to call around.

I haven't posted here in a while becuase Joey has finally outgrown his reflux but checked back to check the speech thread. I am in the process of doing early intervention. I think that is the best route just because it is federally funded and falls under the federal Individuals with disabilities act (IDEA) which will allow your child to transfer to publlic schools as soon as it is available. Our eval is on June 23rd. Joey is 18 months and not talking. We are worried because he has lost words. he also does not point or follow my point. He also only turns when his name is called about 5% of the time. If you have any questions I will try to keep updating how the process goes.

Sara,
I hope the early intervention route works out! My nephew (2 yrs) gets speech therapy through EI, and it is great. Some programs will send the therapists to your home, and some will have you drive to the nearest center. And you know that through EI, the therapists work with children, so that's good. Let us know how it goes if you decide to call. :)