As we knew the waiting list was long we went ahead and had some private speech therapy done and this assessment as well in anticipation of his joining the hospital program in a few months. We now know his formal assessment for the program will be on Feb. 27th and he will begin speech in the block afterwards.

He was 20 months to 21 months old when this assessment was done

BEHAVIOUR

Marked off as a concern.

He demonstrates fluctuating playing skills. He was able to complete all the tasks at the 9-12 month loeve and 15-18 months level but obtained 50% for 12-15 months and 0% at 18-21 months with emerging skills at the 21-24 months level

RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE

Marked off as a concern

strong emerging skills at the 12-15 months level

EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE

Marked off as a concern

Strong skills at 9-12 months level, 46% at 12-15 months and 28% at 15-18 months levels
Noted she was impressed with his use of combining vocalization and gesture

ARTICULATION

Marked off as a concern

(she noted the sounds observed)

ORAL MECHANISM

Marked off as a concern

Iain experiences reflux and is known to the OT clinic

FLUENCY

Marked off as no concern

no comments for it


RECOMMENDATIONS

Follow child's lead. Observing what he plays with and how he communicates (either vocally, verbally, or nonberbally) Use simple words to comment on what he is playing with or what he is doing (ex. book)
Making sure that one use a slow rate of speech
Keep just a few toys around him at a time to allow hiim more opportunities to focus
Listen carefully to his attempts at vocal or verbal communication and reinforce him by repeating correctly what he says.

She was so nice to work with. I may still save up and use her again as she has some feeding skills experience as well. It was well worth the jump start on his speech as he is better now as far as I am concerned. I know he has a big delay but we are going to close the gap faster with him than we did with my eldest one as we are being proactive early on.

We have started dabbling with sign language now as well with some success, but it is early on.

I like that assessment, Leigh, the way all those areas were covered at different age markers. Good idea to surround Iain with just a few toys at a time if he is easily overwhelmed. I never would have thought of doing that.

I never would have thought of it either. Rather I would have thought that it would have provided more opportunities for him to explore and discover. He does not look overwhelmed, but she is right that we do better chosing a couple of toys or a group to play with and discuss. She said to play with him in his room away from other distractions as well.

We are having success with him. I know he has the skills to talk as he babbles so very much now. It will be a matter of catch up with him but I do not think we will still be battling it with him at the age of six as we are with Walker as we are in so very early with Iain.

It's good that you know where you're at with Iain at such an early stage in the proverbial game. As we both know, the earlier the intervention, the better. I'm glad your speech evaluation and speech block are both coming up so quickly.