[robertsqueen]

Thank you I have decided to tell her that I wish to not continue speech therapy anymore. I am going to wait, I feel he is far to young.

[tawnynkids]

Good choice! She didn't sound right at all!

[isabelle]

With all the good advice given you.. I have to ask.. Why is your child still seeing this woman?

[talaniman]

My grand daughter is 2 1/2, She talks a mixture of english and klingon. She bites like hell, but a little smack on the butt sends her running... for a while. My mother said I did the same thing, till I figured out how to steal cookies from the cabinets. (Broke the jar the year before)

[vlee]

If your son's doctor thinks his speech is lacking and is aware of the ear problems, why didn't her refer you to an audiologist in the first place? It makes more sense to evaluate the child's hearing before attempting speech therapy. I agree with the others... your son is too young for anyone to make a determination of his ability to speak. Lots of kids speak gibberish and just suddenly start making sense. I would say the time to begin worrying is when he begins attending preschool. He'll be old enough for a real professional to diagnose him if he has a problem, and it's the best time to correct it if there is one.

[excon]

Hello again:

I advised seeing another speech therapist. I'll stick with that advice. What I would NOT do, is take the advice of strangers on the internet OVER what my doctor told me. I just wouldn't do that. Why would you go to someone whom you ignore?? If you think your own doctor is wrong, then change doctors - DON'T IGNORE HIM.

excon

[tawnynkids]

Hey guys, has anyone noticed... Robertsqueen posted about her decision already. :) post #21

[Lowtax4eva]

Point being? If he was prescribed a speech therapist it's probably because he has a bad lisp which some people might find cute but it's easiest to fix it now. As excon suggested maybe just see a new speech therapist if this one makes you feel uncomfortable.

[tawnynkids]

Very true Low. I would seek out another on as well. But unfortunately for Robertsqueen she did say in post #8... "I live in a small town and there is no other speech therapist."

[excon]

Hello again, tawny:

If it was MY kid, I'd travel wherever I had to for my children. But, that's just me.

excon

[J_9]

Hey RQ: I guess it is time to add my two cents in, so here goes...

You are doing the right thing by holding off now on the ST (speech therapy for the lay people). Coming from a long line of early childhood educators (MIL is a 4th grade teacher, Niece has her Masters in early childhood development, other Niece is a Masters level speech therapist, etc), and having 4 children myself, I can say through experience and education that 2 years old is too young for speech therapy.

I had a similar problem with my boy who is now 5, and all family members with Masters level in early childhood education/development/speech therapy told me that at that age they still have their own language and are still learning to just form their little mouths to make the words. Here is one quote from the speech therapy niece...

"English can be a rather difficult language to learn, we cannot expect them to master it and be fluent in it in only two years, one of which was primarily spent eating, crying and sleeping." She also noted that it is important that we do not use "baby talk" to our children from birth, talk to them like you would like to be talked to as this strengthens their vocabulary for when their speech patterns do begin to develop.

Now, forgive me if I missed it, but did you have his hearing checked by an audiologist? If not, it would be worth your time. If so, and everything is fine, just remember to enunciate clearly when talking to him. Get down on his level so that you are eye to eye when you are communicating new words or ideas.

When my son was 2, he did what we called "monkeying" he would make a monkey sound to get what he wanted rather than to talk. My 2 nieces said that I was not to give him what he wanted until he said the word... "juice" for instance. They told me that for him speech therapy is not effective until at leasst 3 1/2 years of age.

Personally, I do think you are doing the right thing.

[rosepedal]

I have a 5year old little girl and she is in early intervention speech classes through the school that have been great for her. She didn't speak at all when I first got her at 2years and she is still having problems. I don't know where your from or if they have that specific program but I would try going through a public school, if you as the parent are concerned. There are plenty of people out there that would like you to never let your child do anything and constantly be in some sort of class for some kind of "problem" but in the end I think you should go with what you believe. Personnally I would end the classes and tell everyone I know not to go to them. I think that the teacher is doing a lot more harm than help.

[robertsqueen]

I can't change his doctor we live in a small town and there is only one doctor. I have taken him to the ear specialist and he has had two sets of tubes as well as had his anoids taken out. I do make sure to talk to him like an adult, and I also make sure that if he wants something that he has to tell me what he wants. I just don't think that he is in need of speech therapy. I tried it, but it doesn't seem to be working. He says things like I do and I did. He can tell you what animals say. I read to him all the time. I think and hope that I am doing the right things by him.

[AKaeTrue]

I think you're doing absolutely right by him.
You tried speech therapy, it's not working out at this time.
I think and truly feel that the things you're doing with him yourself
Will be more beneficial to him at his age.
Keep up the good work.

Kae

[NowWhat]

As a parent, there is no greater tool than our instinct. God gave it to you for a reason - don't be afraid to use it. :)
You know your son, you know what is right for him - just trust yourself and give yourself some more credit. You are doing a fine job.

[dannysmom]

My son is now 4 started early at 18 months and next month is his last month. Start early to correct problems. Your therapist is unprofessional. Get rid of her. I know the county I live in pays for the child under three to get evaluated at all levels. Emotional, social, speech , physical as well as occupational therapy. Talk to your local school district they can direct you to the proper departments to talk to.

[robertsqueen]

We told her today that we wanted to stop seeing her... and now he is done. That is a big step for me to stick up to someone.

[vlee]

She sounds like a quack... I think you did the right thing. There are professional professionals out there. I hope you find them.

[krystal1973]

My son is deaf, and was recommended speech therapy after diagnosis. He was there 2 weeks and they said he didn't need it. Is your son communicating with you where you can at least understand it. He is 2 years old, but your doctor probably recommended him for a reason, was he really behind in speech or was his speech unclear?
As far as hurting the speech therapists feelings, don't worry about that, your child's best interest comes first. If he needs speech therapy do not limit yourself because she is the only one in town, you may have to drive to another town if that's what he needs.

[NowWhat]

We told her today that we wanted to stop seeing her...and now he is done. That is a big step for me to stick up to someone.

I am glad you made that step. You should really prepare yourself for future "battles". This won't be the last time that you will have to step up and fight for what you think it best when it comes to your child.
When he gets in school or sports - or whatever comes your way. You can do it.
I think sometimes we make it up in our head that we are going to tell someone something and they are going to fly off the handle. So we try to avoid it. When in reality - it isn't always like that.
Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. The last thing you want as a parent is to have regrets.