Speech Therapist's advice please?

I would like to know if I should send my 1.5 yr old daughter for therapy, or just wait it out. I think that she has a weak mouth.

1) She does not like to chew, she eats foods that a 10 month old does. For example, she only eats chicken boiled, she will not touch shnitzel that requires effort. She doesn't eat pretzels and other hard foods.

2) She doesn't know how to use a straw. I tried to teach her and gave her a sippy cup with a straw. Now she can suck a little but it is not continuous.

3) I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but she cannot say the 'n' sound. There are other sounds she can't make but this one is pretty basic. She probably has 30+ words in her vocabulary. She says "mo" for no, "mose" for nose etc.

Silver Member Joined: Dec 03 2011 Posts: 513

Based on what you're describing, I would take her for an evaluation. It sounds like she has low muscle tone. (Btw, her speech/language sounds fine for her age!)

Good luck!

Gold Member Joined: Apr 19 2012 Posts: 1747

I agree with Harriet & I am a former speech & language pathologist. DEF call EI to arrange for an evaluation. It sounds like she needs some oral-motor help & possibly some feeding therapy too. It can't hurt, that's for sure!

Hatzlacha!

OP here. Thank you for your replies.
I am new to NY, and have no idea how the system works. Where do I go for an assessment? Does Medicaid cover it?

Executive Member Joined: Dec 22 2009 Posts: 290

This is an important question and it is good that you are picking up on it. She should go for an evaluation. The sounds that she cannot produce are normal for her age. She might have difficulties lifting her tongue (to produce the n sound).
Does she like taking baths,does she like when you hold her. Does she like touching sand or grass. She might have sensory difficulties.
Usually children who are 1 1/2 have approximately 50 words in their vocabulary and start combining 2 words together like" more juice"...
Good luck!

Achdus- She loves baths, and playing with textures (yogurt, sand, dirt, all food etc.). I wish she didn't want to be held so much! She doesn't like to sit on grass though.

I didn't really count her words, but she speaks better than any 1.5 yr olds I know. She combined words just a few times. I don't think she is behind on her vocabulary.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 22 2009 Posts: 290

Op, sounds like she is starting to put 2 words together now which is where she should be. If you write down a list of words she says (even if they are unclear) for example if ba is bottle etc... you might find that she has about 50 words in her vocabulary, if not more.

I was asking you about different types of environments and how she reacts. Some kids crave being hugged and cuddled and others can't stand it. When kids have difficulty with textures or eating many times we see they are sensitive to other things as well.

Not sure where you live, but it is a good idea to get her assessed now. You should find someone experienced in feeding issues.

Good luck!

In terms of how it works in NYC, until age 3 it should be covered by the city by Early Intervention, regardless of income.

Call an agency like Yeled Viyalda and ask for an evaluation based on your concerns.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 22 2009 Posts: 290

OP where do you live?

OP here. Thanx for the advice.
Do you think I need to start now, or I could wait a couple of months until we have a place to live and things calm down in life.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 22 2009 Posts: 290

I am sorry that things have been difficult for you. I hope things settle down soon.
It would not hurt to start now, at least to get an assessment. If you work through an agency, the speech therapist comes to you, when it is convenient for you.
This is the perfect time to work on feeding issues.
Good luck.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 6019

Unless the kid's eating issues are serious enough that it's interfering with getting nourishment into her, afaik EI in NY only gives funding for services if you have receptive language problems - at least until 2 years old, not sure about after that. So if you're hoping to get government funded services, maybe wait until she's almost 2. Articulation is not considered enough of a problem at that age, they wait to see if they grow out of it...

I'm not a speech therapist but I work in special ed so I hear a lot from the parents and coordinators about what services come and go.

Active Poster Joined: Apr 22 2010 Posts: 37

I'm a service coordinator for Early Intervention. It sounds like you should wait until things settle down before you have an evaluation done. Once a referral is made, evaluations have to be done within 30 days and you will have to be somewhat flexible in terms of scheduling. If you'd like more information about the agency I work for, feel free to PM me.