I've received a call from someone seeking legal advice, but in the process, this lady revealed that her three year old son is not yet talking -- and, she has a one year old son who is now talking more than her three year old is. The child had a major health problem caused by a physician and being hospitalized in a hospital where he was exposed to a severe MRSA infection, but it is unclear to me whether any of this resulted in his ongoing developmental problems.

The biggest problem that I see is that this woman has been pushed off by her new doctor who has told her to do nothing until the child reaches 3.5 years old. I firmly disagree since he is losing the value of therapy and treatment and is falling further behind.

I figured that all of you would have ideas and suggestions of places where this lady could look for help. She lives in the Inland Empire in Southern California. Any input on sites and/or thoughts of what she could be looking at would be most helpful.

I continue to admire and love you guys and hope that my coming to this part of the site is not offensive to anyone. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Fondly,
Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.
It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. In memory of Carina, who was greatly loved.

http://b3.lilypie.com/bDA

I would venture to say that it is either hearing loss or autism. I would get a hearing test done for free at the John Tracey Clinic in Long Beach, CA. Tell her to call and talk to Mary the speech therapist at 562-426-2257. They were the most awesome resource for our family!
Deborah Mom to BBB Born at 25 Weeks 1 Day 04/21/05
Austin 1 pound 8 ounces
Braedon 1 pound 11 ounces
Caysen 1 pound 13 ounces

http://loveourabc.blogspot.com

http://lilypie.com>http://b3.lily

Cat~

It could also be a form of dyspraxia. A triplet mom friend in my local group went through this with her 2 boys. There are numerous sites online that discuss this problem.

She kept telling me they didn't speak, but her dd would. By the time they were 2-2.5 I encouraged her to see a speech therapist, and if necessary a pediatric neurologist. She chose to wait until the boys were 3.5.

They were just diagnosed and are receiving intensive speech and developmental therapy 3 times per week. The therapist and neuro told them they wish they could have worked with the boys sooner. The longer the problem goes, the more difficult the progress for most children. The boys are beginning with using PECS to help build association of things with words, among other techniques. The therapists have told her this will be a long process to help her sons build their language skills and improve their thought processes.

I would encourage your friend to ask the ped for a referral to the speech therapist at the least. There are many possiblities of what could be going on for her son and the earlier the problem is identified, the sooner therapuetic intervention can start, etc. If the ped is uncooperative, I'd advise your friend to find a professional ped who will help her with referrals.

Hope things work out for the best,

Melissa

Wife to my best friend
Mom to GGG
05-04

Hi Cat,
Since her son is already 3 years old he has aged out of early intervention. Once your child turns 3 it is the local school district that takes over. I live in NJ but I would assume it's simular in her state.

I would suggest she contact her local elementary school and ask to speak to some one from the child study team. She should ask to have her son evaluated for delays. Here if they evalute your child and they feel your child would not do well in kindergarten without help or intervention now then he would qualify for the pre school program in the public school.

The school district may have their own pre school disabled class in district, if they do not then they are required to send the child out of district and they must pay for this. Our program is 5 days a week and about 2 and1/2 hours a day. if your child qualifies for speech therapy, occupaional therapy or physical therapy that shoud be provied as well during the week right at school.

She should do this right away because there is also and extended school year preschool that runs for about 6 weeks in the summer, so maybe she could get him in there.

She also may want to find a good developmental ped to help her with any diagnosis. The school district does not diagnose but can tell you if your child is delayed and qualifies for their program.

Anyway I hope this helps and she should definitly not wait. Getting speech, ot and pt privately is great but can be very expensive, so whatever she can get in district would be a big help.

Julie

Tons of great information here!

One idea that I would add: Even though her son has aged out of early intervention, she should still contact her county regional center. They also provide services for children over 3 (and even adults) who have certain disorders, including autism. My son (who's 4) receives a patchwork of services provided by the school district, the regional center, and my medical insurance. Every little bit helps...

Ooops sorry...double post.

Hi Cat!

Not speaking can have so many reasons. Hearing, autism, sensory issues, or as pp said dyspraxia/apraxia. I went to a conference on apraxia last year. VERY informative. the website is www.apraxia-kids.org

The main thing I would say is that he needs to be evaluated by the
local school district and be placed in a SDC preschool for services. As well as get him evaluated and put in Speech Therapy throughtheir insurance if possible. Unfortunatley, this may not be easy if the new doctor isn't helping, but have her go to the new doctor and TELL him to give her a referral and that she WILL NOT wait until he reaches 3.5. Of course by the time all the referrals happen and the appointments are made, he may very well be 3.5 years. It's a slow process. But she needs to call her school's principal or Special education office.

This website may be helpful (though overwhelming).

http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/infantpub.html

A bit of a warning, I may be biast because my DD and others with Down syndrome do not get many of the services they're entitled to, so we pretty much have to "fight" for everything. Example: Malena is also not speaking. As you know, she is 4 1/2. When she was four I had her IEP for the following year. I had to "fight" for them to give her FIVE minutes a week of one on one speech therapy. SHE'S NOT SPEAKING. She has about 5 words. So it is a bit of a battle, and you have to have your ammunition when you go in, so to speak. But like I said, this may be due to Down syndrome and this may not be the case with other kids.

Good luck, and let me know if you need any more help. Oh, where is she? Is she near me? I can get her in touch with some people directly.

Maryann
Mommy to
Malena, Joshua, and Jacob
born 12/20/03 @ 34w5d

Custom Cards
www.cdicards.com

Visit us at
www.kwiat3.blogspot.com

If makes you feel any better, we parents with quad cp kids,mild cp kids and hearing impaired kids had to scrap and fight for every thing in our IEP this month too. We just transitioned from Reg. Center. Budget cuts are hitting them hard!!
Deborah Mom to BBB Born at 25 Weeks 1 Day 04/21/05
Austin 1 pound 8 ounces
Braedon 1 pound 11 ounces
Caysen 1 pound 13 ounces

http://loveourabc.blogspot.com

http://lilypie.com>http://b3.lily

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to whine. I just wonder why it has to be sooooo hard. I've been told that I can take them to fair trial, but that costs money for advocates that I don't have. Budget cuts are hitting us here, too. Good luck to you.


Maryann
Mommy to
Malena, Joshua, and Jacob
born 12/20/03 @ 34w5d

Custom Cards
www.cdicards.com

Visit us at
www.kwiat3.blogspot.com

You guys are the greatest! Thank you for so much help.

I'm going to copy and paste your replies and send them on to her. I suspect that the info you've provided will put her into a better position to get the help she needs.

Thank you, again. And, thank you for continuing to fight on the front lines for all of these precious children. I know some of your babies personally, and know that you do so much that is greatly improving the future for your beautiful kids.

Love,
Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.
It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. In memory of Carina, who was greatly loved.

http://b3.lilypie.com/bDA

She is in San Bernardino. My heart goes out to her.

If you have any names, please let me know and I'll pass them on to her.

In the meantime, when are we going to get together? I'd love to set up a soccer game with all of the area triplets, along with a picnic, etc.

Oh, and I am definitely planning a mid-year party for the kids this summer. My children never get to have a birthday party outdoors and I was thinking that if we get a big park area and some bouncers and have water balloons, etc., it would be a great gathering for everyone. Let me know if you have preferred dates, okay?

Love,
Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.
It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. In memory of Carina, who was greatly loved.

http://b3.lilypie.com/bDA