I can't find the original post, but I seem to remember a post about a child who will be having their trachea rebuilt due to silent reflux damage and that they won't be able to speak for a while. Anyway, I wondered if you knew about voice clinics? Another support group where I am a member had a post where someone mentioned this. Many of the kids born with the birth defect my daughter had have vocal problems due to long-term ventilation and ECMO support among other things, so this was brought up and I thought I would pass it along.

The post was about one at Boston and the patient was referred by a developmental ped by the name of Dr. Friedman.

Just wanted to pass this along as a potential option for you. With help from your doctor's office, even if you live out of state, you may be able to arrange to have this covered by insurance. Another problem kids born with Dani's birth defect have is feeding difficulties and oral aversions and many insurance companies have started covering out-of-state therapy at renowned feeding clinics.

Good luck!

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

My Vivian will need her trachea rebuilt next year, and so we will be teaching ASL, ar baby signs, but I am not sure if I am the one you are talking about...

Mom to:
Matt (1991) Megan (1994) and ^Eric Jr^ Levi and Vivian (2003) at 26 weeks

Yes, you are the one. Just wanted to let you know about the voice programs in case she needs one in the future.

I hope all goes well with her and the surgery. Did you get the info you needed about baby signs? I know there are tons of books and maybe videos on this. Also, if you are in the states, you may want to contact your local school district and get her signed up for the early intervention program. They should have therapists who can help you and her with learning sign language and "late" language development, as it arises.

Take care.

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

Thanks for thinking of her. I called to get EI rolling yesterday - and will make her appt today. Another triplet mom is sending me her videos for babysigns - she said her three are done with them. From here, we just learn to live with the long term, and do the best we can. At least we have her...

Mom to:
Matt (1991) Megan (1994) and ^Eric Jr^ Levi and Vivian (2003) at 26 weeks

Just wanted to make sure you knew about the wondeful videos at Signing Time for teaching ASL. So far there are 3 videos that teach 100 common signs. My kids absolutely love them. My 3 are 21 months. My 2 typical kids know approximately 75 signs and speak like crazy. My daughter with CP loves the videos and is now signing "more" consistently (along with verbalizing). Go to www.signingtime.com. We have all 3 videos and the CD. 3 more are due out in September. Can't wait!

Those are the ones that another mom is sending us, I can't wait either. I will get EI appt. set next week...

Mom to:
Matt (1991) Megan (1994) and ^Eric Jr^ Levi and Vivian (2003) at 26 weeks