Daniel's language (vocabulary) and understanding are average or just above average, but his pronunciation is only about 20th percentile, so he will get extra speech services when he starts preschool in August. (That's in addition to ST for feeding and OT for sensory issues.)

The SLP who tested him said she heard him make all of the sounds he should be making at his age, but that he's not making them consistently enough. She thinks this is because of his cleft combined with the fact that he does not eat; his mouth is not getting the exercise it should. (This is exactly what DH and I thought, too, but unfortunately, preschool does not accept parent diagnoses!)

Anyway, the good news is that they won't have to teach D any sounds, just give him lots of practice and time to get it all together. As the SLP said, we're just fine-tuning him -- he has all of the big picture stuff.

One interesting thing I learned is that it's not unusual for kids to not master certain sounds (like zh) until they are eight years old! Of course, there are kids who are "masters" by age three, and those are probably the ones we're all comparing our kids to!

That's great news, Becky! Will D get his speech therapy at preschool (through the school) or when he's at home?

Sounds like a good appt! :)

That's great news, Becky! Will D get his speech therapy at preschool (through the school) or when he's at home?

D will get all of his therapy at school (except for feeding therapy at the children's hospital). This preschool is run by the public schools. It's sort of a way to transition your kid from early intervention to regular school. D will likely go all four days (ten hours total) since he'll be working with a couple of therapists.

They have a snack every day, so he'll get lots of practice with dealing with food in social situations, which is my biggest concern. I don't care so much that they actually teach him to him, but I don't want him to have to stand in the corner every day at lunch when he's in first grade because the lunch ladies don't "get" him.

What a great appointment.. it just confirms what you already knew and at least you're not dealing with anything "new". WTG Daniel ;-)

The early intervention program here runs a day care for its "clients." Unfortunately, it's not on my way to work, which is a shame because it sounds just wonderful.

What Great news Becky!

Glad to hear he will get therapy at preschool as well to tune him up:)

Great news from the eval!
So it's pretty much a matter of practice, thats great!

Sounds like a good appt. I'm glad Daniel will be getting the services he needs.

Great news Becky, thats good to know about the zh, when we started Cooper at ST we were told that some words I was worried about (ie S) were ones that can be up to 8 as well- you are right we probably compare our kids to the one that can do it young!

That's great news Becky. I'm glad that D will be getting the help he needs.

What great news, Becky! I am constantly amazed at how much early intervention and support is available to those of you in the States at such a young age.

What great news, Becky! I am constantly amazed at how much early intervention and support is available to those of you in the States at such a young age.

The preschool is a pretty great thing. They really tried to talk us out of it because their resources are limited, D will be so young, and he'll be in a class with more severely disabled kids, but I believe they'll all be able to learn something from one another -- and I'm hoping D will only need it this one year, and then he can go to a regular preschool.

That sounds like a great visit!
You know...maybe with him eating in a social environment with children his age will help him out to swallow that food!

That sounds like a wonderful appointment, Becky. Thanks for the updates! That is interesting about 8 year olds, sometimes Andrew says words, and I am like "what?" so that is normal it sounds LOL

Sorry I missed this thread Becky, but it sounds like things are moving along well for D with speech! Too bad that more "professionals" do not accept Mommy and Daddy diagnosis as they are often better than any.:wink:

Iain just refused to sit for snack and lunches at first, then sat and threw food, then sat and chewed and spit out, then sat and picked, then sat and ate. This has taken a lot of time but peer pressure does work. Iain has many moments (like right now where he is apparently chewing and spitting again and not using any utensils) but overall his social development for eating has come a long way and it has helped at home too. Make sure those lunch ladies bring him to that table!