We are having Owen (2.5) evaluated tomorrow (Fri., Dec. 4) by early childhood education specialists for his hearing, speech and development.

The only reasons are that (1) it is free and (2) he is just not talking that much...I am sure he is fine because he is the second boy and in daycare he has been mostly with kids younger than him or the same age...but just want to rule out things, you know?

His vocabulary is small, maybe 15-20 words that are clear. He's only strung a couple of words together about 5 times. But, he will parrot words back even if he doesn't use them again...and he will finish the last word or two of lines from a movie on DVD. He comprehends what we are saying because he can follow simple directions.

I think he can do it, but right now is getting his needs met without having to talk much, the he may see no need to talk.

Will let you all know what we find out.

Definitely have him evaluated, especially if it is free. To encourage you . . . my youngest ds didn't really start to talk until he was 4.5. He is now almost 7 and we cannot shut him up for nothing. :-D We had him evaluated as well and he has been in small doses of speech therapy which has helped him a lot. Once he started preschool, his speech improved dramatically. Hang in there. Soon you'll be wishing for a little peace and quiet.

We will have a staffing with the AEA people on the 17th to go over all over the results from Owen's evaluation. It seems like a million years from now...

I know how concerning these types of things can be, Chelle. One of our boys talked, but he was very, very difficult to understand. We had his speech evaluated at age 4 (I think) before he started school and were told he would grow out of it. He pretty much did, but had speech therapy later (free at school) and speaks fine now. Thinking of you. [heart]

My eldest DS who's now 5 had speech from ages 2-3 and now you'd never know he even had it. My baby DS who's 2 is in it now. We were lucky to get the same therapist. It has been a wonderful thing for our family. The state agency we used had us get them a hearing test. They could hear fine but both boys have had multiple ear infections and fluid which required tubes. Keep us posted! :-D

Early Intervention is wonderful! I will be praying for your appt. let us know how it goes! We have been down this avenue with both boys. I am actually heading back myself on Wed. with M for a speech reevaluation!
E qualified for EI services when he was that age, I think it was one of the best things we could have done for him as it led us down the road to finding out he had Autism.

Whether or not Owen has a speech delay you are doing a good thing by having him evaluated now!

How did it go? We went back too and M is going to be starting speech therapy in Jan.

Our meeting is this afternoon, 3:45 CST. I will let everyone know how it goes. :mrgreen:

Owen qualifies for direct speech & language therapy as well as instruction services for social/emotional development. There is no formal diagnosis for anyhting right now.

His gross motor skills were tested at a 12% delay, fine motor at 12% delay, cognitive development at a 19% delay, social/emotional delay of 26% but 3 months above in the adaptive area. His overall level of development was found to be 2 yrs 1 mo which is a 19% delay.

Most areas of the communication testing were in the severely delayed range. He is 2 yrs 7 mos old and he scored at 1 yr 6 mos in preschool language and auditory comprehension and 1 yr 8 mos on expressive communication.

Something all of the people who observed or tested him noted was that he had minimal eye contact with them and would look down and that he didn't always respond to his name...As a teacher, that sends red flags of autism or aspergers to me, but when I asked, they didn't seem to be too concerend, but told us they have checklists and stuff we can do to pursue it more if we are interested. However, and, please, tell me if I am misinformed, but isn't another hallmark of those diagnoses not being too affectionate? Or is that a myth? He has really blossomed into a hugging, kissing, snuggling bundle over hte last couple of months.

Anyway, after the new year, they will be seeing him once a week, alternating between speech and social/emotional therapies, mostly at daycare and sometimes at home.

I guess it was a good new/bad news sort of thing for me. Some answers and some concerns. Thanks for the support, I appreciate it so much!

Hi Chelle
I am so glad you took him, I would love to be a support to you! Feel free to pm me any time. In regards to the affection thing . I know this is one of the areas that caused confusion for us too when we were going through the whole process of having E diagnosed. He did like to be hugged, he sought comfort when he needed it. He also didn't do any of the spinning, twiddling his fingers etc. but he did have limited eye contact, walked on his tip toes, had a hard time with transitions and sp and lang. delays as well as other things!
Ethan was seen by a ped. and child psychologist when he was around 3 but was not officailly diagnosed until 4. I think b/c it is such a huge spectrum disorder it makes it hard to diagnose esp. when they are younger, it sounds like if Owen does have it he may be more high functioning like my son?
It is a journey and I think you are doing the right thing EI is the key. I believe if we hadn't done anything E would not be where he is right now. I seriously think he would be still in his own world, not talking etc.

Prayers and hugs you are not on your own, there are a number of us here who would love to support you in all of this! And you never know he may be fine maybe he just needs that little extra support!

I know too he will be fine as he has a loving family :)

Keep in touch!

Having sons with learning/social difficulties I just want to offer my support and prayer Chelle. Aspergers was once on the spectrum with us as well. I will keep all of you in prayer, no matter the final diagnosis I know you can handle it. You are one special mama Chelle, never forget that.

hugs, sorry I missed this post earlier. hugs

Many hugs Chelle![hug] I'm glad you got some answers. Being a teacher you have wonderful knowledge about so many things for your son. As I said in an early post, speech for our family has been wonderful. Keep us updated when you can! :mrgreen: